Maharashtra
Maharashtra local body polls: Supreme Court orders status quo, will set up special bench
The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Maharashtra government and the state election commission (SEC) to maintain the status quo in connection with the poll process to the local bodies in the state.
A bench headed by Chief Justice N.V. Ramana said the matter needs a detailed hearing and a separate special bench would be set up for the final disposal. The bench, also comprising Justices Abhay S. Oka and J.B. Pardiwala, was hearing a plea of the Maharashtra government seeking a recall of top court’s order, directing the SEC not to re-notify the poll process to 367 local bodies in order to provide reservation to OBCs.
The bench said, “The matter requires an elaborate hearing. In view of that we direct the parties to maintain the status quo. List the matter after five weeks.”
The Maharashtra government had sought recall or modification of July 28 order, and also a direction to the SEC to hold the elections for the 96 local bodies, out of 367 local bodies, namely 92 municipal councils and four nagar panchayats, allowing OBC reservation as per the report prepared by the Dedicated Commission for Reservation for Backward Class of Citizens in local bodies of the state.
On July 28, the top court had cautioned SEC of contempt action if it re-notifies the election process to 367 local bodies, where the process has already commenced, to provide reservation to OBCs.
The state government had contended that under the constitutional scheme, it was deemed fit to give political reservation to OBCs to ensure that they are duly represented inside the government and their voice is heard.
On July 20, the Supreme Court accepted the recommendations of the Banthia commission to apply 27 per cent OBC reservations in the local body elections in Maharashtra, and directed that election for the local bodies in the state be notified in the next two weeks.
On July 28, the apex court had said the poll schedule was already notified when it allowed OBC reservation and the polls for those bodies must be held without the OBC reservation. It said the state election commission cannot interfere with the election, which has already been notified and only the dates can be re-aligned. The top court did not appreciate that despite clarifying the issue several times, the SEC had taken a decision to reschedule the poll. It made it clear SEC and the concerned officials would be liable for contempt of court for breaching its order.
The top court, in December 2021, had ruled that reservation for OBCs in local bodies will not be allowed unless the government fulfils the triple test laid down in the apex court’s 2010 order.
Maharashtra
‘You’re Not My Boss’: Ajit Pawar’s Shocking Remark To Voters In Baramati After Recent Assembly Polls Victory
Mumbai: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar sparked controversy during his recent visit to Baramati by declaring that voters were not his ‘boss’ simply because they had elected him. Pawar made this statement while receiving a memorandum amidst his speech. Addressing the crowd, he remarked, “Just because you voted for me, it doesn’t mean you have become my boss or owner. Have you made me a farm labourer now?”
The statement drew widespread attention, coinciding with ongoing political discussions around the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). On January 3, the Ajit Pawar-led faction of the NCP dismissed any possibility of reuniting with Sharad Pawar’s faction.
NCP Reaffirms Its Bond With BJP-Led Mahayuti In Maharashtra
The NCP reaffirmed its alliance with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the national level and the Mahayuti coalition in Maharashtra. Maharashtra NCP chief Sunil Tatkare reiterated that their July 2023 decision to align with the BJP remains unchanged, ruling out reconsideration.
“Our party is firmly allied with the NDA at the Centre and MahaYuti in the state. Under Ajit Pawar’s leadership, the NCP has achieved significant electoral victories. There is no rethinking on this stand,” Tatkare stated during a press interaction. When asked whether a reunion with the Sharad Pawar faction could happen if the latter reconsidered its stance, Tatkare avoided speculation, saying, “There are no ifs and buts in politics.”
Tatkare also distinguished personal relationships from political decisions, asserting, “Family and politics are two different things.” His comments followed an emotional appeal from Ajit Pawar’s mother, Ashatai Pawar. During her visit to the temple town of Pandharpur, she expressed a desire for reconciliation within the Pawar family. Speaking to the media, she said, “I wish that the differences within the Pawar family end at the earliest. I hope Pandurang answers my prayers.”
health
Maharashtra: 3 Tigers, One Leopard Succumb To Avian Flu At Nagpur Rescue Centre; Zoos Put On Alert
Nagpur: Three tigers and a leopard died of avian influenza at an animal rescue centre in Maharashtra’s Nagpur, prompting the authorities to put zoos on alert, an official said on Monday.
Following the deaths that occurred at the end of last month, the Central government has issued an advisory, directing zoos to take precautionary measures, the official said.
Statement Of Shatnik Bhagwat, Divisional Manager Of The Gorewada Project
Shatanik Bhagwat, divisional manager of the Gorewada project, said the animals had been relocated to Gorewada Rescue Centre from Chandrapur following incidents of man-animal conflict.
He said the big cats died at the centre at the end of December.
Bhagwat said the tigers were brought to the rescue centre in the second week of December, while the leopard had been housed there since May.
The animals showed different symptoms but limped and suffered from fever in the third week of December, he said, adding that their samples were sent to Bhopal for testing, and the test reports that arrived on January 2 confirmed they were positive for the H5N1 virus.
He said the disinfection process is underway according to the Central and state government guidelines.
Maharashtra
FIR Filed Against 26-Year-Old Thane Resident Over Threat To Kill Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde
Thane: Thane police have registered an FIR against a 26-year-old man for allegedly threatening to harm Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, an official said on Monday.
Search was on for the accused, identified as Hitesh Dhende, a resident of Varli Pada in Thane city, Sri Nagar police station’s senior inspector Gulzarilal Fadtare told media.
About The Case
The accused, in a social media post, used derogatory words against the deputy CM and threatened to kill him, the police said without elaborating.
Based on the complaint by an activist of the Shinde-led Shiv Sena, the police on Sunday registered the case against the man under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections 133 (assault or criminal force with intent to dishonour person, otherwise than on grave provocation), 352 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace), 351(1) (criminal intimidation) and 356 (2) (defamation), the official said.
A probe was on into the case.
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