Mumbai, Aug 24: The Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) launched a fierce broadside against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday, accusing the state administration of financial improprieties in youth outreach events and severe corruption in Maharashtra’s school midday meal scheme.

An editorial in the party’s mouthpiece, ‘Saamana’, targeted CM Fadnavis over the quality of food served to school children and questioned the financing behind the BJP’s political rallies aimed at young voters. It centred on the school nutrition programme in Ambegaon, Pune district, where children were reportedly served rock-hard dried peas that failed to cook even after 13 pressure cooker whistles. The editorial alleged that the supply contractor, identified as a Nagpur-based businessman, shares close ties with CM Fadnavis.

The Thackeray camp further claimed that the said businessman provided financial backing for the BJP’s recent Gen Z youth outreach event held at the Reshm bagh Ground in Nagpur. “Supply contractors eat up millions by serving substandard food to school children, risking their lives… Moving forward, his peas of falsehood will certainly not cook,” said the editorial.

The scathing editorial comes against the backdrop of intense political manoeuvring for the youth vote across Maharashtra. Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi recently hosted the “Chatron Ki Goonj” event in Pune, drawing thousands of students.

The Thackeray camp claimed that local authorities initially resisted granting police clearance for Gandhi’s event before issuing permission bound by 30 to 35 strict conditions. It further alleged that political agitators attempted to cause disruptions prior to the event, while police filed cases against Congress workers instead.

“What is certain is that Gandhi has outsmarted the entire BJP, leaving them utterly paralysed. The youth are not merely angry with the BJP; they are enraged. They have lost interest in the repetitive speeches of PM Modi, HM Shah, and Fadnavis. People are tired of the same old promises, the intoxicating dose of Hindu-Muslim tension, startup rhetoric, and fake patriotism. These leaders remain intoxicated with self-praise and self-obsession,” remarked the editorial.

In response to CM Fadnavis calling Rahul Gandhi’s interactive sessions “paid publicity events” subject to state investigation, the Thackeray camp demanded that the BJP first audit its own event expenditures and contractor funding sources.

However, the Thackeray camp claimed that Fadnavis does not address roads and pothole scams. Among the 12 people who lost their lives falling into potholes in Nashik, seven belonged to Gen Z. Furthermore, there is a massive scam in the procurement and supply of midday meals in state schools.

The editorial accused the administration of ignoring graduate unemployment, pushing educated youth towards low-tier jobs while ignoring systemic corruption in public contracts.

The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena concluded that public discontent among the youth is reaching a boiling point over repetitive political promises, calling on CM Fadnavis to engage in self-reflection before launching selective investigations.

Navi Mumbai, Aug 23: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday urged students to stay away from addiction and direct their energy toward education, sports, skill development and nation‑building.

He was speaking at the launch of Campus Connect, a special awareness campaign against drug abuse among college students, organised under the Navi Mumbai Police’s Nasha Mukt Navi Mumbai (Drug‑Free Navi Mumbai) initiative.

Speaking on the occasion, CM Fadnavis highlighted that given the lure of drugs and their severe social, physical and mental impacts, the Navi Mumbai Police’s direct outreach to students through this initiative is a vital step. He noted that college campuses mark a crucial phase in personal development, making early awareness and accurate information essential for this age group.

Referring to India’s “Demographic Dividend,” CM Fadnavis stated that the country’s 65 per cent youth population is its greatest strength. Hostile nations and anti‑social elements are attempting to neutralise this power by ensnaring youth in addiction. He emphasised that combating this threat requires a 360‑degree approach, dismantling the drug supply chain while simultaneously eliminating demand through widespread awareness.

The Chief Minister said every educational campus serves as a battleground and every student is a soldier in this anti‑drug campaign. He assured that students trapped in addiction would receive non‑discriminatory support through de‑addiction centres. Expressing confidence in the youth, he stated that their collective efforts will defeat drug abuse and fulfil the vision of a self‑reliant and developed India.

The police, municipal corporations, citizens and youth took a joint resolution to make Navi Mumbai completely drug‑free and safe. During the event, CM Fadnavis inaugurated a De‑addiction Rehabilitation Centre and released an awareness video. He also presented certificates to the top three winners of the poster and reel‑making competitions organised as part of the drive.

Meanwhile, CM Fadnavis inaugurated Navi Mumbai Police’s Prahari Integrated CCTV Command Centre, which aims to enhance the safety of Navi Mumbai residents and bolster crime control and advanced surveillance. The Navi Mumbai Police Commissionerate, Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC), and Panvel Municipal Corporation (PMC) developed it in collaboration.

Guided by the motto Always Watching, Always Protecting, the Prahari system will maintain 24/7 surveillance across the city. The command centre will serve as a crucial asset for Navi Mumbai Police in traffic management, maintaining law and order, and handling emergencies, the government said.

Mumbai, Aug 23: In a tragic incident ahead of the ‘Ganesh Chaturthi’ festival celebrations, two people were crushed to death, and five others, including two children, suffered injuries after a 22-foot idol of Lord Ganesh fell on them during the arrival ceremony of the ‘Bhuleshwaracha Raja’ in south Mumbai.

The incident took place between 10:00 and 10:30 p.m Saturday, following which a fire brigade team, officials of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), and the Mumbai Police arrived at the scene.

According to preliminary information reported by NDTV, the idol fell due to some loose nuts and bolts in its frame.

Officials said that the victims were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment, where doctors declared two of them dead.

The two deceased have been identified as Sanket Nevshe and Brijesh Hemant Joshi.

The rest of the five injured people have been identified as Vaibhav Ghenand (38), Pawan Chaurasia (25) Lavanya Ganer (5), Divya Ganer (7), and Kunal Kashid (26), who are undergoing treatment in two different hospitals.

Describing the incident, an elderly eyewitness said: “First, the hand of the idol broke, my grandson was sitting near its leg but he moved aside in time. It is being said that the idol weighed around 3000 kg.”

“(Brijesh) Joshi, who lived in our building, was crushed under the idol. My son and others brought him out with great difficulty and took him to the hospital where he was declared dead,” he added.

The senior citizen attributed the reason for the tragedy to damaged roads in the area.

Rakesh Chauhan, another local, said that people had gathered in the area for the arrival of Lord Ganesh and everyone was dancing with joy when the tragedy took place.

“We didn’t realise what suddenly happened,” he said.

‘Ganeshotsav’ is one of the biggest and most widely celebrated festivals in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra.

The 11-day Ganeshotsava celebration is slated to begin on September 14 this year. During the festivities, beautifully crafted idols of Lord Ganesha are installed in homes and public pandals decorated with flowers, lights, and modaks.

During the celebrations, devotees also perform an arrival ceremony of the deity to worship him. Mumbai’s tallest Ganesh idol is the ‘Mumbaicha Raja’, standing at approximately 45 to 47 feet.