Maharashtra
Maharashtra: Shiv Sena ‘no’ to independents in Rajya Sabha polls

Effectively shutting the door on Yuvraj Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati of Kolhapur, the Shiv Sena on Monday made it clear that it would not support any independent candidate in the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections.
Sena’s Chief Spokesperson Sanjay Raut said that the party will put up two candidates and expressed confidence that both will win.
Raut’s reference was to former President-nominated MP Sambhajiraje’s announcement last week that he would contest the RS elections solo and seek the support of various parties.
“We have nothing against Sambhajiraje… If he has said he will contest independently, then he must have arranged for his 42 votes,” Raut retorted, and reiterated the Sena stance on the issue.
Since the past couple of days there has been political speculation that the Sena would be prepared to field Sambhajiraje provided he joined the party and was reportedly given a ‘deadline’ till 12 noon Monday (May 23) to decide.
However, Sambhajiraje has not commented on the matter so far and is firm on going solo in the RS polls.
Raut confirmed that the Sena had invited Sambhajiraje to join the party and become its candidate, and now the decision was left to him.
Reaffirming that both the seats belong to the Sena, Raut said the party is keen to increase its tally in the Upper House of Parliament and hence there was no question of backing any independent candidate.
The RS elections are being held to fill up the vacancies by six retiring members — one each from ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) allies, Shiv Sena (Sanjay Raut), Nationalist Congress Party (Praful Patel) and Congress (P. Chidambaram), and three from the Bharatiya Janata Party Dr. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, Piyush Goyal and Dr. Vikas Mahatme.
However, as per indications, BJP may repeat Commerce & Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, the Sena will field its fiery Chief Spokesperson Raut and NCP may retain its general secretary Patel, who is a close confidante of party President Sharad Pawar, but the fate of Congress’ Chidambaram is uncertain with the recent CBI action against his family.
This time, given the re-alignment of the legislature after the 2019 Assembly elections, the BJP can comfortably win two seats of the three it holds, and the MVA can win their three seats, and is toying with a fourth candidate to bag the third seat held by the BJP.
Staking a unilateral claim to the sixth seat is Sambhajirae, the 13th direct descendent of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who plans to dive into the RS polls as an independent.
The electoral college comprises the 288 MLAs and a candidate must get 42 votes to win a seat in the Upper House of Parliament.
The MVA has 170 MLAs — Shiv Sena 55 (one MLA Ramesh Latke died in Dubai last week), NCP 53, Congress 44, smaller parties/groups 10 and 8 Independents.
On the Opposition side, BJP has 106 with other smaller parties/groups 2 and 5 Independents.
Sambhajiraje explained that in these circumstances, the BJP can get only two seats, and the Sena-NCP-Congress one each, so he would contest that ‘extra’ sixth seat independently with the support of various major and smaller parties.
Maharashtra
Mumbai: Female Doctor At J J Hospital Attempts Suicide; Condition Stable, Investigation Underway

Mumbai: Following the recent suicide of a doctor at J.J. Hospital who jumped from the Atal Setu, another female doctor from the same hospital attempted to take her own life in her hostel room on Thursday night. She was promptly given medical treatment, and her condition is currently stable.
The hospital administration, along with the Department of Medical Education and Research, has set up independent committees to investigate the incident. The doctor ingested an overdose of medication but was quickly admitted to the hospital by her colleagues, which helped save her life. Her parents in Uttar Pradesh have been informed about the situation.
The exact reasons behind her suicide attempt remain unclear. Dr. Ajay Bhandarwar, Dean of J J Hospital, stated that the findings of the two separate inquiry committees, one at the hospital and another by the Department of Medical Education and Research, will provide clarity once their reports are submitted.
Maharashtra
Mumbai: NCP (SP) MLA Jitendra Awhad Booked For Obstructing Police Vehicle Outside Vidhan Sabha

Mumbai: A complaint has been lodged against NCP(SP) leader Jitendra Awhad at the Marine Drive Police Station in Mumbai, following an altercation that occurred between the NCP leader’s supporters and BJP workers at the Maharashtra assembly complex, according to ANI reports.
The confrontation involving the backers of NCP (SP) MLA Jitendra Awhad and BJP legislator Gopichand Padalkar followed a tense discussion between the two MLAs.
An official stated that the Mumbai police filed a case against Awhad for hindering public servants in performing their duties during a protest at the Maharashtra Vidhan Bhavan. Both Padalkar and Awhad voiced their disappointment in the House regarding the altercation between their backers.
Vidhan Bhavan Fight
Thursday evening saw a confrontation between BJP MLA Gopichand Padalkar and NCP leader Jitendra Awhad’s workers in the Maharashtra Assembly, damaging its reputation. Speaker Rahul Narvekar addressed it, with Awhad citing death threats.
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis expressed frustration over the situation while distancing the Speaker’s comments from Awhad’s claims. The altercation, which began after Padalkar’s vehicle allegedly hit Awhad, escalated into violence. Fadnavis called for an investigation, while Uddhav Thackeray criticized the government’s inaction.
Maharashtra legislative assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar stated that the associates of the two MLAs, who were part of Thursday’s altercation and apprehended by the state legislature’s security, will confront a breach of privilege of the House.
Maharashtra
Congress Alleges Ministers, Officials Caught In Honey Trap Scandal; Demands Probe In Maharashtra Assembly

Congress leader Nana Patole alleged that several ministers and senior officials of the ruling Mahayuti government are involved in a honey trap scandal. On Thursday, Patole presented a pen drive as purported evidence in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, claiming it contained sensitive information exposing the scandal.
Speaking in the Assembly, Patole said, “More than 72 senior officials and some ministers have fallen victim to honey traps. Sensitive information is being extracted and handed over to anti-social elements. Some officials have even been blackmailed to the extent of contemplating suicide. Despite the seriousness of the issue, the government refuses to make even a basic statement on the matter.”
He further claimed that cities like Thane, Nashik, and Mumbai have become centers of these honey trap operations. “I don’t intend to tarnish anyone’s image, but the government is not taking this seriously. Important government documents are being leaked through these traps, and I urge the Speaker to issue directions,” Patole added.
The issue was echoed in the Legislative Council as well, where Opposition Leader Ambadas Danve reiterated the claims. Danve stated that information had emerged indicating the involvement of political leaders and senior officials in honey traps. He warned that such incidents posed a threat to administrative secrecy and the law and order situation in the state.
“During the Pahalgam attack, individuals involved in similar activities were caught by the central government. It is feared that confidential administrative information and key files have been leaked through these traps. Police have already begun inquiries in Thane and Nashik. This matter must be taken seriously from the standpoint of state security,” Danve said.
He also emphasized the possibility that some individuals might have gained administrative advantages through blackmail, urging the government to clarify its position and investigate the matter thoroughly.
On Wednesday, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) MLA Jitendra Awhad also raised concerns about the impact of the scandal on Nashik’s image. “It is unfortunate that Nashik, a city of rich heritage, is being associated with such cases. What kind of political culture are we promoting? People are stooping to shocking levels of immorality just to make money,” Awhad remarked.
While the state government has yet to make a formal statement, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde acknowledged the issue, stating that the government has taken note of the matter.
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