National News
Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Elections 2026: Deputy CM Ajit Pawar Promises Free Bus, Metro Rides; BJP Hits Back Over Freebie Politics
Pune: The political atmosphere in Pune has escalated to a critical juncture as Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and the BJP’s top guns, including Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil, are embroiled in a significant verbal confrontation regarding the issue of “freebie” politics.
The conflict intensified after Deputy CM and NCP chief Ajit Pawar, representing the Nationalist Congress Party, promised free PMPML (Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited) bus and Metro services in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad in their joint manifesto, titled ‘Ashtasutri Pragati (Eight-Point Progress)’.
In a strategic move to woo voters, Dy CM Ajit Pawar claimed that making public transport free is financially viable. He argued that if the Municipal Corporation allocates Rs 5 crore monthly for the Metro and Rs 20 crore for PMPML (totalling roughly Rs 300 crore annually), free travel could become a reality within three years of the NCP coming to power. This announcement has reportedly rattled the BJP leadership, who recently released their own ‘Sankalp Patra’ (Vision Document) focused on a “Developed Pune”. Incidentally, NCP and BJP are engaged in a friendly fight, but due to political rhetoric between the two, the contest has become fierce.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has openly criticised fellow Deputy CM Ajit Pawar’s campaign promise of providing free bus and metro travel to residents of Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, calling it unrealistic and legally unfeasible. He remarked, “I was actually thinking of announcing today that all flights taking off from Pune should be free for women. What does it take to make an announcement? It costs us nothing to make tall claims.”
He suggested that such promises often stem from political insecurity. He stated that politicians sometimes release unrealistic manifestos out of “desperation” when they realise they might not win. “Even then, I believe we should only say things that people can actually believe — things that are actually doable,” he added.
CM Fadnavis provided a detailed technical explanation as to why the Metro fare cannot be waived at the whim of a state leader (Ajit Pawar). “The Metro is a joint venture between the state and the Central government. The Chairman of the Metro body is a Union Secretary, while the Managing Director is from the State. Under the law, a dedicated ‘Fare Fixation Committee’ holds the legal authority to decide ticket prices,” he explained.
He further stated, “Even if I want to waive the ticket price tomorrow, I cannot do it. The committee determines the cost based on operational expenses. If you don’t charge the commuters, you must explain exactly where the funds to cover those expenses will come from.”
Defending the sensibilities of Pune’s citizens, CM Fadnavis emphasised that the local population values quality over charity. He noted that Punekars are disciplined taxpayers who have historically stood in long queues to pay their bills on time. “Punekars don’t want freebies. They want a service that is reliable and dependable,” he asserted. “They want excellent Metro and bus services. They are willing to pay the minimum required cost for a better experience. They know this promise is just an election stunt that cannot be fulfilled,” he noted.
On the other hand, Minister Chandrakant Patil was quick to dismiss Dy CM Ajit Pawar’s promise as “misleading”. He countered by revealing internal government friction, alleging that Dy CM Ajit Pawar himself had previously stalled a file regarding free higher education for girls for six months, citing a lack of state funds.
Minister Patil further asserted that any decision regarding free Metro or bus services rests solely with the cabinet and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, not the Deputy Chief Minister. “This is not within his (Ajit Pawar’s) authority to grant,” he stated, attempting to reclaim the narrative for the BJP.
The “free travel” row is the latest chapter in a two-week-long offensive launched by Ajit Pawar against the BJP’s governance in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad.
Dy CM Ajit Pawar has consistently targeted Union Minister of State Murlidhar Mohol, mocking the BJP’s role in the Metro project by claiming the groundwork was laid during the previous Congress-NCP regime. Previously, he labelled the BJP leaders overseeing the Pune Municipal Corporation as a “trio of administrators (Karbhari Trikut)” and accused them of financial mismanagement.
The tension recently forced CM Fadnavis to intervene after BJP State President Ravindra Chavan expressed “regret” over the alliance with Ajit Pawar, following the latter’s pointed remarks about those who once levelled Rs 70,000 crore corruption allegations against him.
Political observers suggest that Ajit Pawar’s daily salvos and “subtle taunts” (such as his frequent use of “Jai Jinendra” to reference the Jain Boarding controversy) have kept the BJP on the defensive. By shifting the focus to direct voter benefits like free transport, the NCP aims to disrupt the BJP’s stronghold in the upcoming municipal and state-level contests.
Crime
Two apprehended for firing at house in Nand Nagri to create fear

New Delhi, Sep 14: The Anti-Auto Theft Squad (AATS) of North-East District Police worked out a firing incident reported under the jurisdiction of Nand Nagri Police Station by apprehending two accused persons who allegedly fired at a complainant’s house to create fear.
The accused were identified with the help of extensive CCTV footage analysis and technical investigation.
According to police, on September 4, two unidentified persons riding a scooty fired at the complainant’s house in the Nand Nagri area with the intention of creating fear and fled from the spot.
Following the incident, FIR No. 485/26 dated September 4 was registered at Nand Nagri Police Station under relevant Sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Arms Act, and an investigation was initiated.
Considering the seriousness of the incident, the AATS team of North-East District was tasked with identifying and apprehending those involved.
A dedicated team led by Inspector Deepak Pandey, In-charge of AATS/NED, analysed numerous CCTV recordings and developed clues through technical investigation and other sources. Sustained efforts and detailed examination of the available evidence helped the team identify the suspects.
On September 12, acting on a specific tip-off, the AATS team conducted a raid in the Sunder Nagri area and apprehended Azim Khan. During interrogation, his associate Imran alias Rahul was also apprehended at his instance. Both accused were subsequently handed over to the local police for further legal proceedings.
Police said Imran alias Rahul, 25, son of Ibrahim and a resident of Bhopra Chowk, Siddqi Building, Uttar Pradesh, was previously involved in two theft cases.
Azim Khan, 36, son of Illiyas and a resident of Gali No. 1, Sunder Nagri, Delhi, has nine previous cases registered against him, involving murder, attempt to murder, culpable homicide, robbery, snatching, rape, kidnapping, theft and offences under the Arms Act. He is a Bad Character of Nand Nagri Police Station.
Further investigation into the case by the police is underway.
Business
India okays 18 hours a day power supply to Nepal till Dec 31

New Delhi, Sep 14: India has approved a proposal to supply power to Nepal for 18 hours a day till December 31 this year, following the extensive damage caused to the Himalayan country’s hydropower projects in the devastating flash floods, an official statement said on Monday.
“The Ministry of Power has accorded approval for the export of power, for 18 hours a day to Nepal Electricity Authority till December 31, 2026,” according to the statement.
Approval has been given for up to 600MW of export through Muzaffarpur-Dhalkebar 400 kV D/c line and up to 54 MW through Tanakpur-Mahendranagar 132 kV S/c line. The quantum of power to be exported from January 2027 will be reviewed in December, 2026, the statement said.
The recent floods have caused significant damage to hydropower infrastructure in Nepal, reducing its domestic power generation capacity and creating an additional requirement for electricity.
The approval will help Nepal meet its power requirements during this difficult period and further strengthen the close and longstanding energy cooperation between India and Nepal, the statement explained.
“India remains committed to supporting Nepal and strengthening bilateral cooperation in the energy sector,” the statement added.
India also intensified its humanitarian assistance to Nepal in the wake of the floods, delivering relief material and deploying personnel to support search, rescue, and forensic operations. Indian Air Force aircraft were used to carry relief and rescue supplies to Kathmandu.
The country also dispatched specialised technical gear, including mud rescue suits, gas detectors, breathing apparatus, inflatable walkways, portable generators, lighting towers, and dewatering pumps. India has provided DNA kits, reagents, and equipment for DNA profiling to aid in victim identification.
Meanwhile, the death toll from flash floods has risen to 1,386, with more bodies recovered from eight affected districts.
The floods, triggered by an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border on August 26, devastated towns and villages in northern and central Nepal.
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, 104 of the recovered bodies have so far been identified and handed over to families. Around 5,130 people are still reported missing.
Security forces continue search and rescue operations. More than 13,700 people have been rescued so far, while 339 people are undergoing treatment in hospitals.
Crime
‘Felt unsafe’: Woman biker alleges car attack after asking occupants to maintain distance in Gurugram

Gurugram, Sep 14: A woman biker in Haryana’s Gurugram has alleged that a car repeatedly followed her before hitting her motorcycle and fleeing the spot, leaving her shaken and raising concerns over road safety in the city.
“I have nothing to say, but today I felt unsafe on Gurugram roads. People like these aren’t afraid of hitting people and running away,” the woman said after the incident.
The rider, who identifies herself as Sia and operates the Instagram page ‘rebelwheels_sia_’, uploaded footage of the incident on social media and described what she said happened before the collision.
According to Sia, the incident occurred on Sunday while she was riding her Aprilia RS 457 sports bike along Golf Course Road with members of her biking group.
In the video, she alleged that the occupants of a car had been following her from the beginning of the ride. She claimed that the people inside the vehicle behaved aggressively and attempted to get close to her motorcycle.
Sia said she asked the occupants to maintain a safe distance, but instead, they allegedly asked her to stop. She also claimed that the men appeared to be under the influence of alcohol.
The rider said she continued moving ahead in an attempt to prevent the car from cutting her off. A friend riding behind her also tried to intervene by positioning his motorcycle in a way that prevented the car from repeatedly coming alongside her.
Despite this, Sia alleged, the car continued following her. She claimed that at one point, the driver attempted to cut across the path of her motorcycle, resulting in a collision.
The impact knocked Sia off her bike, while her motorcycle was dragged several metres along the road. The car then reportedly left the area.
The incident was captured on an action camera fitted to Sia’s motorcycle.
She further alleged that one of her friends pursued the car and attempted to stop the driver. The vehicle eventually halted at a traffic signal, where the friend confronted the driver and allegedly told him that he was responsible for the collision.
However, according to Sia, the driver denied causing the accident and subsequently drove away from the traffic signal.
In a social media post, Sia appealed to the Gurugram Police to take action against motorists who allegedly put other road users at risk and flee after causing accidents.
She also shared the vehicle’s registration number and identified the registered owner mentioned in the vehicle’s registration certificate.
The video subsequently gained significant attention online, with social media users expressing support for the rider and calling for action against the alleged driver. Several users tagged the Delhi Police, Gurugram Police, Gurugram Traffic Police and Haryana Police, urging authorities to investigate the incident.
Some users also called for an FIR to be registered, while others highlighted concerns over rash driving and the safety of motorists, particularly on busy roads in Gurugram.
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