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.”

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.

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.