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Maharashtra: Frantic BJP still woos Ajit Pawar, pats his working style

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Not prepared to rest in peace after losing power in Maharashtra, the state BJP is still hoping for a ‘miracle’ that could resurrect it into the driving seat, after dozens of ominous deadlines to topple the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government passed away event-free.

In the latest bid, during a by-election rally, state BJP President Chandrakant Patil suddenly remembered Nationalist Congress Party’s Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and lauded his “no-nonsense” style of functioning.

Taking a swipe at Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, Patil expressed desire to ‘examine’ the CM’s horoscope for the latter’s good fortune of being surrounded by stalwarts like Pawar or Eknath Shinde.

The BJP chief also concurred with the sulking ruling ally Raju Shetti, head of the Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana (SSS) who rued that “the CM is barely visible these days and it was Pawar who calls the shots in the MVA show”.

Patil claimed that no Shiv Sena legislators are allowed to hover around the CM and they all troop down to Pawar or Shinde to get their works done or problems resolved, and warned that “the MVA is going to face a lot more” from the various probe agencies.

Earlier, at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, Patil had ‘invited’ Pawar to rule the state from Pune and recently alleged that earlier Thackeray’s duties were hindered by the lockdown and now hampered by his health.

Apparently flustered by Patil’s utterances, Shiv Sena MP and Chief Spokesperson Sanjay Raut hit back terming it as the BJP’s “step-motherly love for Ajit Pawar”.

“Praising good work is always welcome… We also have great appreciation for the good work done by Union Minister for Road Transport Nitin Gadkari…”, said Raut in a return-stroke.

Though the central probe agencies have gone all-out to target Sena-NCP leaders, the BJP has largely refrained from directly attacking Ajit Pawar, who had once strayed to form a two-member government headed by Devendra Fadnavis that took oath in a pre-dawn ceremony on November 23, 2019.

However, it proved to be the shortest-ever regime in the state’s history, crashing in hardly 80 hours.

Barely 48 hours later, the Sena-NCP-Congress coalition MVA government headed by Thackeray took office on November 28 that year, something that the BJP has yet to fully digest.

Yesterday (Sunday), eyebrows went up in MVA circles as senior NCP leader and ace criminal lawyer Majeed Memon paid rich compliments to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the recent sweep in four of the five states’ assembly elections.

“If Narendra Modi wins people’s (mandate) and is also shown as world’s most popular leader, there must be some qualities in him or good work he may have done which the Opposition leaders are unable to find,” Memon declared.

Patil’s fond hopes also stem from the recent admission by NCP supremo Sharad Pawar, who revealed on December 30 how Modi wanted a NCP-BJP alliance government in Maharashtra after the fractured verdict of 2019 assembly polls, but he (Pawar) had firmly rejected it.

But, barely a week later, in early-January, the NCP warmly invited Thackeray – who proclaimed that the Sena had rotted 25 years in alliance with BJP – to join the national secular Opposition alliance and help dethrone the BJP in 2024 elections.

Attempting to drive a wedge among the MVA allies, Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis alleged last week that a lion’s share of the budget (nearly 53 per cent) had gone to the NCP, while Sena-Congress had to be content with the left-over, a charge denied by Ajit Pawar, who is also the state finance Minister.

Political observers say that these “verbal duels” will continue as both the MVA and BJP are keen to score brownie points and keep their respective flocks in good humour.

Maharashtra

Hateful statements, obscenity in the name of entertainment will not be tolerated, strict action will be taken: Mayor Ritu Tawde

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Mumbai: The hospital administration has formed an inquiry committee in the case of hate speech made by Sejal Pawar, a medical student of KEM Hospital, in the live show of stand-up comedian Preneet More. Hate speech in the name of entertainment will not be tolerated. The hospital administration has been directed to take strict action in this matter, Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde has clarified.

Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde has reacted strongly to the entire incident and has appealed to artists and content creators to be aware of social responsibility. Two clips of stand-up comedian Preneet More’s show that are going viral on social media are causing great anger among the citizens. In the first clip, a man named Himanshu Jagda narrated an incident of degrading treatment of a woman, while in the second clip, Sejal Pawar, a medical student of KEM Hospital, made extremely hateful, obscene and offensive comments about the bodies of men who had donated their bodies for medical education. In both these cases, comedian Praneet laughed and clapped instead of objecting. Taking notice of the insensitivity in both these clips, the Maharashtra Cyber ​​Police took immediate action and registered a case. Clarifying the municipal corporation’s stand on the matter and fully supporting the legal action, Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde explained that the Maharashtra Cyber ​​Department has taken action. Apart from this, the KEM Hospital administration has also appointed a committee to investigate Sejal Pawar. The Mayor clarified that the hospital administration has been directed to take strict action in this matter. Mayor Tawde further said that freedom of expression is a very important part of democracy, but in the name of this freedom, content that insults women, obscenity, hate speech, hateful content or content that sends the wrong message to the society cannot be accepted under any circumstances. Everyone should respect boundaries while discussing sensitive issues related to women, consent and the medical sector in a public forum. Mumbai is a city of culture, art and freedom of thought. However, it is the collective responsibility of all to ensure that no one’s dignity is violated in the name of entertainment. Since social media has a great influence on the youth, the impact of such content on society should be seriously considered. Everyone should be sensitive to this. All artists, digital content creators and social media influencers should preserve their creative talents while maintaining a sense of social interest, sensitivity and morality. Citizens should also behave responsibly on social media and strongly oppose things that promote hatred, obscenity and anti-women mentality, Ritu Tawde has also appealed on this occasion.

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Maharashtra

MLA Abu Asim Azmi demands Interior Minister to allow Muharram sermons and gatherings until 9pm

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Mumbai: In view of the importance of the holy days of Muharram, the time of public religious speeches, sermons and gatherings held during this period should be extended from 10 am to 12 pm, MLA Abu Asim Azmi has sent a memorandum to the state Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis, making this strong demand.

MLA Azmi has said in his letter that public speeches, sermons and gatherings are organized in different areas at night during Muharram, in which a large number of devotees participate. Currently, Maghrib prayers are offered at around 7 pm, after which a lot of time is spent until the Isha prayers are completed. The police administration is currently allowing only up to 10 pm, due to which very little time is required for the actual program after the prayers. Due to this shortage of time, there is anxiety among Muslims and they are not able to fully benefit from these religious speeches.

In view of this situation, with full respect for law and order, this time should be extended till 12 midnight for the scheduled dates of Muharram. MLA Abu Asim Azmi has demanded that the Home Minister himself intervene in the matter and immediately issue positive orders to the police administration. Copies of this memorandum have also been sent to the Chief Minister and Mumbai Police Joint Commissioner (Law and Order) Devin Bharti for necessary action.

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Maharashtra

Mira Road C-Queen Palace Orchestra Bar raided, 12 women recovered, 9 arrested

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A team led by DCP Rahul Chavan of Mira Road Police Commissionerate, Circle 1, raided the Sea Queen Palace Orchestra Bar in front of Daraz Dhaba on Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway under the limits of Kashigaon Police Station on Mira Road. During the raid, the police rescued 12 women. A cashier and 8 waiters were arrested, including the driver, owner and manager of the bar who are absconding. During the raid, Rs 50,000 in cash was seized. Along with this, illegal stocks of whiskey and beer were seized. Further investigation is underway in the case. It is said that an illegal dance and entertainment party was going on in the bar. During this, the police raided and arrested the accused and also released 12 dancers.

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