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Maharashtra

Maharashtra: Congress livid as Didi writes UPA’s epitaph

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Relegated to the political pavement as West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stormed Mumbai in her 2-day-long high-profile trip which ended on Thursday, the Maharashtra Congress unitedly slammed her for her ‘RIP’-ping comments spelling doom for the UPA.

Banerjee met leaders of two of the 3 ruling allies – Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar and Shiv Sena’s MP Sanjay Raut and Tourism Minister Aditya Thackeray, met civil society members, some industrialists, film personalities, but obviously she had no love lost for the state Congress.

The visiting leader’s shocker came during her brief media interaction, when she virtually blurted out – “What UPA? There’s no UPA now…” stunning the Congress and momentarily even the NCP supremo Pawar seemed dazed but kept his legendary cool.

An enraged Congress top brass hit back, though diplomatically – to avoid antagonising the Sena-NCP leaders or even remotely appear siding with the BJP – and harked on the grand old party’s contributions, the Gandhis’ leadership while blaming Banerjee’s “personal ambitions and ego” and painting the BJP as the real villain.

“The BJP is a threat to the Constitution and Democracy. Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi are constantly challenging the dictatorial attitude of the BJP,” said State Congress President Nana Patole.

The Congress Legislature Party Leader Balasaheb Thorat dismissively said, “no individual party can fight the BJP if that party only thinks of its own political gains and personal ambitions” and the Congress remains the sole viable option before the country.

AICC Secretary Sanjay Dutt said, “if there is one party which has been fighting fascist forces and standing up for the people of India, it’s the Congress”, and others are now posturing only to grab the ‘chair’ (power).

“If any other party leader makes any baseless, sarcastic or malafide comments about Rahul Gandhi, we will give a befitting reply and show them the mirror of their past stance and statements,” hissed Dutt.

State PWD Minister Ashok Chavan hit back at Banerjee saying the “Congress and its leadership needs no certification for its commitment to Democracy and Constitution, or its tireless struggle against the BJP’s policies”.

“Since before Independence, Congress has been fighting for the commoners, the rights of the people… The (BJP) central government is using the ‘divide-and-rule’ policy on the opposition parties. In such a scenario, it becomes the responsibility of all non-BJP parties not to indulge in politics that supports this policy of the Centre,” said Chavan sharply.

Patole pointed out how Rahul Gandhi has stood firm against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP, on the land acquisition law and the three black agriculture laws, the BJP’s divisive policies, inflation, unemployment, etc.

“The country is more important than personal ambitions or egos… A political party restricted to one state cannot provide an alternative to the BJP. Given the gravity of the situation, all like-minded parties must come together in the national interest,” urge Patole, adding only Congress is the viable option to the BJP.

Thorat cautioned that criticising Rahul Gandhi would only help the BJP which he has fearlessly challenged, plus the Congress and the entire Gandhi family has borne the oppression of the BJP, but they were not cowed down.

Some political commentators have claimed that despite the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) venturing into uncharted territories where it is barely known or has any base, ultimately they will need Congress support to form the government as it happened during the tenures of the former prime minister H.D. Deve Gowda or I.K. Gujral.

Besides Congress, even the Opposition BJP leaders attacked Didi, questioning her ‘private’ meeting with Shiv Sena leaders and asked whether Maharashtra would go the West Bengal way.

Maharashtra

Mumbai BMC issues directions to Municipal Commissioner Gagrani to deal with flood situation

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Mumbai: In view of the situation created by the continuous and heavy rains in Mumbai for two days, Municipal Commissioner and Administrative Manager Bhushan Gagrani today reviewed the monsoon works of the Municipal Corporation. At that time, he gave various instructions to the officers. Additional Municipal Commissioner (Western Suburbs) Dr. Vipin Sharma, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijeet Bangar, all the concerned Joint Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, Assistant Commissioners and concerned officers were present in the meeting held at the Municipal Corporation headquarters.

Municipal Commissioner Gagrani said that this year the monsoon arrived in Mumbai fifteen days earlier than every year. It is a fact that the works of the Municipal Corporation have been affected to some extent due to the heavy rains in the beginning. Especially, the work of removing silt from drains has been hampered. However, to ensure that the pace of monsoon works is not slowed down under any circumstances, appropriate amendments should be made in the previous planning and necessary changes should be made. The Municipal Commissioner said that the work of desilting rivers and canals should be completed in the next eight to ten days.

This year, a total of 414 pumping sets have been planned to be installed in low-lying and very low-lying areas as well as in all possible places where water can accumulate during heavy rains. Accordingly, it should be ensured that the process of installation of pumping sets (pump sets) is completed at all places. The process of setting up and operating the pumping system should be completed in the next 24 hours. To check that the system is working smoothly, it should be properly tested. Follow-up should be done in coordination at the necessary levels to complete the entire process. The contractors have been given letters of expediency to acquire 10 sets of mobile pumps mounted on vehicles on lease. These sets will be available within eight days. Gagrani also said that this system can be used in case of emergency.

He further said that utmost care should be taken that rainwater does not accumulate in extremely low-lying and low-lying areas. If water accumulates due to heavy rain, efforts should be made to ensure its early drainage. The new places where rainwater has accumulated, the Assistant Commissioner of the concerned administrative department and the Deputy Commissioner of the circle should inspect these places. The reasons for the formation of such new places should be found. Gagrani advised that the steps to be taken at these places should be decided and the problem of water accumulation should be resolved.

Flood control gates should be installed in timely and proper manner at relief centers like Haji Ali, Lovegrove, Britannia etc. They should be opened and closed every two hours and the Emergency Management Room should be informed that they are in good condition. The remaining work of concreting the roads should be completed at an accelerated pace. The incomplete roads should be completed permanently and made traffic-ready. In addition, road blocks (barricades) and other materials should be removed from the roads within 24 hours and transported to the warehouses. It should be ensured that vehicles do not obstruct the roads in any way. Similarly, the work of felling trees should be completed on time, etc., Municipal Commissioner Gagrani directed.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai Airport motorcycle and car collide, video of rider riding on bonnet goes viral, traffic police action, case registered against accused

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Mumbai: After a collision between a car and a motorcycle near Mumbai Airport, a car driver put a motorcyclist on the bonnet of the car, endangering his life, after which the police have registered a case on the complaint of the motorcyclist and started an investigation.

After the collision between the car and the motorcycle, the local crowd stopped the car and during this, an argument broke out between the motorcyclist and the car driver and suddenly the car driver ran over the motorcyclist and put him on the bonnet and drove the car. After this video went viral, the police registered a case and released the accused after giving a notice. The police have started an investigation in this matter. Regarding the incident, the Airport Police Station Mumbai has registered an offence 61/2025 under sections 281,125,1126(2),115(2),352 BNS r/w sec 184 mvact. A case has been registered against the accused Bhim Prasad Giani Mahto, aged 24, resident of Vartak Nagar and a notice has been issued to him.

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Maharashtra

Cyclone Shakti Alert: IMD Warns of Heavy Rain and Rough Seas Along East Coast

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Mumbai, May 28, 2025: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a cyclone alert for the eastern coast of India, as a deep depression in the Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm within the next 24 hours. If it forms, the cyclone will be named ‘Shakti’.

According to the IMD, the depression currently lies over the central Bay of Bengal and is moving in a northwesterly direction. It is expected to make landfall along the coasts of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh by the evening of May 29, bringing with it heavy rainfall and strong winds.

Wind speeds could reach 75–85 km/h, with gusts up to 95 km/h. Coastal regions have been warned of rough seas and the possibility of localized flooding.

In preparation for the potential cyclone, the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been placed on high alert. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea, and coastal villages are being kept under close watch for any signs of distress.

Impact on West Bengal and Maharashtra

The weather system may also influence conditions in West Bengal, with heavy rainfall expected in southern districts, including Kolkata, over the next few days. The monsoon may advance into North Bengal by Friday, the IMD said.

Meanwhile, in Mumbai and surrounding areas, the cyclone is unlikely to have a direct impact but may cause light to moderate showers, with a possibility of heavy rainfall in isolated spots. The IMD has issued an orange alert for Mumbai as a precautionary measure.

Public Advisory:

  • Stay tuned to updates from the IMD and local authorities.
  • Avoid travel to coastal areas until further notice.
  • In case of emergency, contact the National Disaster Helpline at 1070.

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