Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has made a strong appeal to the citizens of the Mumbadevi constituency to elect Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC with a massive majority to resolve the long-standing issue of redeveloping old and dilapidated buildings in the area.

Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde on November 6 inaugurated the central election office of Shaina NC, the Mahayuti alliance’s official candidate for Mumbai’s Mumbadevi Assembly constituency.

During the inauguration, the CM addressed a large gathering of local citizens and appealed to elect Shaina NC.

Shinde emphasized the significance of Mumbadevi constituency, considering it sacred due to the residence of Goddess Mumbadevi, after whom Mumbai city is named.

He highlighted the Mahayuti government’s efforts in developing the temple complex, allocating Rs220 crores for the project, and ensuring convenient transportation for devotees.

Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde Sheds Light On Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Scheme

Shinde also shed light on the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme, which aims to empower women in the state, benefiting 2.5 crore women. The scheme’s stipend has been increased from Rs1500 to Rs2100 per month.

CM Eknath Shinde in his post on X said “We’ve launched the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme to empower women in the state, benefiting 2.5 crore women. I’ve announced an increase in the scheme’s stipend from Rs1500 to Rs2100 per month. Our goal is to enable women to stand independently. We’re also promoting and marketing products from women’s self-help groups to ensure they get their rightful market share.”

He said that the government is promoting and marketing products from women’s self-help groups to ensure they get their rightful market share. The goal is to make every woman a lakhpati.

“We strive to make every woman a lakhpati. For women’s safety, we’re recruiting 25,000 female police officers, making our sisters feel secure. To amplify women’s voices in the assembly, I urge Mumbadevi constituency citizens to elect Shaina NC with a massive majority,” said the Maharashtra CM.

To address the congested area’s redevelopment issues, seven government agencies have joined forces to revive stalled projects. The redevelopment of Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar in Ghatkopar is underway through the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). Comprehensive development of buildings and cluster development similar to Thane will also be undertaken.

Union Minister Ramdas Athawale Pledges Support For Shaina NC

Meanwhile, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale also pledged support for Shaina NC, citing her ability to present women’s problems effectively in the assembly.

Athawale said “CM Shinde, Devendra Fadnavis, Ajit Pawar, myself, all of us are campaigning for Shaina NC… I have known Shaina for many years now. She is contesting from Mumba Devi and I have come to campaign for her… People of all communities live in Mumba Devi… I appeal to all voters to vote for her… If Shaina goes to the Vidhan Sabha, she can present women’s problems very well in the assembly… The statement made by Arvind Sawant was an insult to all women and the people will teach a lesson to those who insult women.”

Shaina NC expressed gratitude for the support, promising to work diligently for Mumba Devi’s constituents.

Shiv Sena candidate from Mumba Devi seat, Shaina NC said, “I am very glad to receive so much support from Mumba Devi. We have come here with the blessings of Maa Mumba Devi. Ramdas Athavale, CM Shinde, Atul Shah all the local citizens and leaders have come here… We will work with dedication for Mumba Devi.”

The Maharashtra Assembly election is set to take place on November 20, with vote counting for all 288 constituencies scheduled for November 23.

Nagpur: Congress leader and star campaigner Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday launched his party’s election campaign with a visit to Deekshabhoomi that stands in memory of B R Ambedkar and then latching on to the Constitution book that stands for equality.

“When I talk about the caste census, Modiji says that I am dividing the nation. But I am amplifying only a feeble voice from the deprived masses. I have heard the voice which says 90% of the population gets no benefit of the country’s resources. Only a caste census can give justice to this 90% deprived population of India,” said Rahul.

“The RSS and the BJP cannot attack the Constitution from the front. So they hide behind ‘vikas’ , ‘pragati’ , unity (words like ‘development’, ‘progress’, patriotism’) to carry on their agenda of inequality that ensures benefits only to few individuals at the cost of vast majority of people,” said the Congress leader.

Gandhi was addressing a “Samvidhan Samman Sammelan” (Respecting Constitution conference) organized by OBC youth Rights Forum which was attended by members of 200 civil society organizations and NGOs and social bodies that work for equal rights among people.

Though the convention was supposed to be non-political and pro-Constitution affair with no Congress leader adorning the dais except Rahul Gandhi, the purpose of hitting the BJP-RSS hard under the garb of saving statute book was more than obvious. “Modiji is having sleepless nights ever since I raised this demand of caste census,” thundered Rahul Gandhi.

Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi Accuses BJP & RSS Of Ignoring The Caste Census Demand

“The BJP and RSS are huddled in meetings to find a way to wriggle out of this situation but are finding it hard to take a position, “ Rahul stated accusing the BJP and RSS of ignoring the caste census demand as they wanted only 5% of the people in the country to accumulate wealth and enjoy benefits of power. “From where does the RSS get money to maintain its huge facility here and to run Shishu Mandirs and Eklavya Vidyalayas,” he asked and answered that it comes from BJP-run governments in MP, Rajasthan , Gujarat and from favoured industrialists Adani and Ambani.

Rahul Gandhi Reaffirms His Commitment To The Caste Census

Rahul Gandhi reaffirmed his commitment to the caste census, describing it as a step towards justice and equity. He argued that the level of caste-based discrimination in India is unparalleled in the world. Arriving here this afternoon, Gandhi first visited Deekshabhoomi, the historic site where Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Indian Constitution, embraced Buddhism in 1956.

Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi Pays Tribute To Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar

Paying homage to Ambedkar before attending the Samvidhan Sammelan, Gandhi highlighted Ambedkar’s legacy.

“When you read Ambedkar ji’s writings, you’ll see that he isn’t speaking of his own struggles but of others’. Ambedkar ji and Gandhiji never focused on their own pain—they spoke for the suffering of the people. When India entrusted Ambedkar ji with drafting the Constitution, it meant it resonates voices and pain of millions of marginalised masses.”

The Constitution drafted by Ambedkar is not just a book but a way of life, Gandhi said. When people from the RSS and BJP attack the Constitution, they are attacking the voice of the country, he added. “You won’t find a single Dalit, OBC and Adivasi in the management team of Adani group,” Gandhi said. “You waive off Rs 16 lakh crore debts of just 25 people, but when I speak of farmers’ loan waiver, I am attacked for changing habits of these people,” he lamented.

“Caste census will bring a clarity an paradigm shift as it will ensure justice to 90% of people who are missing from judiciary, bureaucracy, corporate management . It will give these deprived masses, power, wealth and respectability ,” Gandhi said. “We have demolish the 50 per cent (reservation cap) wall,” he added. We have to tell the country that we are fighting to secure justice for over 90 per cent marginalised people in the country,” he said.

Mumbai: For enabling the citizens to cast their vote in the Maharashtra assembly elections 2024, a mandatory holiday has been declared in Mumbai on Wednesday, November 20. The announcement was made by Mumbai District Election Officer and Brihanmumbai Municipal (BMC) Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani. No salary deduction is allowed for leave on the polling day and action will be taken against the employers who do not abide the rule.

“It is mandatory for government and private sector companies, corporations, undertaking, industrial groups, trades all other establishments to grant leave to labourers, employees and officers on WednesdaNovember 20, 2024, to exercise their right to vote for Legislative Assembly General Election-2024,” reads the statement issued by BMC.

However, in exceptional circumstances where it is not possible to grant full day leave, employees can be given relaxation of at least four hours. But with prior permission of the election officer.

The Election Commission of India has undertaken various initiatives to encourage the eligible voters in Mumbai to step out and cast vote and increase the voting percentage. The commission had expressed worry about the apathy of urban voters.

The order by the District Election officer says, “Every person engaged in any business, trade, industrial undertaking or any other establishment in the polling area where the election is held and entitled to vote in the State Assembly elections shall be given a holiday on the polling day i.e. Wednesday, November 20, 2024. This rule shall be applicable to all industrial groups, corporations, companies and institutions, industrial undertakings or other establishments etc.”

“No deduction of any kind shall be allowed in the salary of the concerned person in lieu of this leave. Violation of these rules or provisions by any employer will be dealt with as per Election Commission rules. According to Section 135 (b) of the Representation of the People Act- 1951, no action shall be taken against any voter.”

Strict actions will be taken against the employer if the rule by election commission is not followed.