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‘Mumbai for Mumbaikar’ vs ‘modern and dynamic capital’ as BMC fight intensifies for Thackerays, Fadnavis-Shinde

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Mumbai, Jan 12: As Mumbai gears up for the high-stakes Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections on January 15, the battle for Asia’s richest civic body has intensified. The Thackeray cousins, Uddhav and Raj, have joined forces under a shared ‘Vachan Nama (promissory note)’, while the ruling Mahayuti (BJP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena) has countered with a development-heavy ‘Stamp Paper’ manifesto.

The core theme of Uddhav and Raj Thackeray was Mumbai for Mumbaikars, local welfare and safeguarding Marathi pride and identity. On the other hand, the BJP-Shiv Sena has combined to lay focus on modern and dynamic Mumbai while pushing for infrastructure development, and also being unapologetic for Hindutva.

Thackeray Alliance has promised one lakh affordable homes in five years. They propose a dedicated BMC Housing Authority to ensure city land is reserved for residents. They have also vowed to waive property tax on homes up to 700 sq ft. The Mahayuti, on the other hand, has proposed a Slum-Free Mumbai via cluster redevelopment of 17 large slum pockets (Ramabai Nagar). They aim to build 30-35 lakh homes across the state/city and prioritise the redevelopment of old Pagdi buildings.

For the transport and infrastructure sector, the Thackeray alliance has pledged to slash the minimum BEST bus fares from Rs 10 to Rs 5 and provide 100 units of free electricity through the BEST undertaking. On the other hand, the Mahayuti has proposed adding 12,000 EV buses to the BEST fleet. They have promised a 50 per cent concession on bus fares for women and a Rs 50,000-crore utility tunnel network to end the perennial problem of road digging for repairs.

On welfare schemes for women, the Thackeray Alliance has introduced the Swabhiman Nidhi, a Rs 1,500 monthly allowance for house helps and Koli women. They also proposed creches in every Assembly segment. The Mahayuti has countered it with an interest-free Rs 5 lakh loan for women through BMC-led schemes and emphasised the “Ladki Bahin” model of direct benefit transfers.

As far as security and identity are concerned, the Thackeray alliance has emphasised the “Marathi Manoos” identity, promising that the Mayor of Mumbai will always be Marathi-speaking. The Mahayuti has taken a hardline stance, promising to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to identify and deport illegal immigrants (specifically mentioning Bangladeshis and Rohingyas). They also plan to set up a dedicated Marathi Language Department within the BMC.

The release of these manifestos has triggered a sharp war of words. The Mahayuti leaders, including Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde, labelled the Thackeray manifesto “ideologically bankrupt”, accusing the cousins of omitting the word “Hindutva” to appease their MVA allies. However, Uddhav Thackeray has accused the ruling alliance of “contractor-driven governance”, alleging that BMC funds are being misused for election kickbacks. He has also called for the cancellation of polls in wards where candidates were elected unopposed, calling it a “theft of democracy”.

Interestingly, both sides have pledged some common promises. They have promised a 24/7 water supply with the completion of the Gargai-Pinjal dam projects. Thackeray brothers and Mahayuti have promised “super speciality” municipal hospitals and upgrades to local dispensaries. Amid deteriorating air quality, both have pledged to make Mumbai “pollution-free” and expand green cover.

Crime

Two apprehended for firing at house in Nand Nagri to create fear

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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.

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Business

India okays 18 hours a day power supply to Nepal till Dec 31

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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.

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Crime

‘Felt unsafe’: Woman biker alleges car attack after asking occupants to maintain distance in Gurugram

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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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