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Maharashtra

Now, cobra and chicken join the Maharashtra political circus!

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Many fauna-friendly politicians in Maharashtra frequently invoke a variety of mute creatures to lampoon political parties and their leaders at public rallies to regale the audiences and score brownie points.

Like insects, scorpions and snakes stepped on the dais in the past, this time Maharashtra Navnirman Sena President Raj Thackeray went a reptile ahead – the dreaded cobra, also symbolic of Lord Shiva.

At his large public meeting in Thane late on Tuesday, Raj compared Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA)’s Housing Minister Dr Jitendra Awhad with a cobra – in mostly personal remarks at many other leaders.

“Look at his (Dr Awhad) face. It is like the open hood of a cobra…” was Raj’s poisonous refrain, leaving the crowds in splits, the ruling Shiv Sena-Nationalist Congress Party-Congress numb, and the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party chuckling.

Not reputed to take such things lying down, Dr Awhad aggressively rolled his bespectacled eyes to proclaim he was “proud” to have the countenance of a cobra.

“When I open the hood, I can strike back at my opponents,” Dr Awhad said, gesticulating his hand like a hungry, angry cobra ready to attack, hinting at a political ‘taandav’ in future.

Then he hissed: “Never mind my face. I am proud of it. But can someone check out which part of a ‘chicken’ his (Raj’s) face resembles?” before slithering away from the stunned media.

The ‘cobra-chicken’ dog-fight ignited by Raj sparked off the anticipated political furore with Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar frowning and declaring that he will “give a befitting reply at the appropriate time”.

Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut said that “after he (Raj Thackeray) got an Enforcement Directorate notice” he has become the BJP’s loudspeaker”.

Referring to the MNS’s gauntlet to the MVA to dismantle loudspeakers from all mosques in the state within 21 days (May 3), Raut rebuffed saying: “Only (the late) Balasaheb Thackeray had the authority to give such ultimatums”.

He also dared Raj to invite and felicitate the ‘untraceable’ BJP Mumbai activist Kirit Somaiya at his swank new home ‘Shivtirth’ in Dadar.

The usually soft-spoken, US-educated NCP state President and Minister Jayant Patil – whom Raj referred to as ‘Jant’ (worm) – smiled and said “Raj’s knowledge is very weak and he needs to be readmitted to primary school to improve himself”.

Raj also hit out at NCP MP Supriya Sule by comparing her with an elephant, saying she had different sets of teeth for showing (tusks) and chewing.

Sule dismissed it by commenting that Raj is living in history, basking in the glory of his illustrious uncle (the late Balasaheb Thackeray), and needs to be ignored.

Dr Awhad supported her by asking, “does Raj know how painful it is when one is pierced by a tusk”, adding that Raj has taken a ‘contract’ to spread communal discord in society.

Congress Chief Spokesperson Atul Londhe merely labelled it as a ‘third umpire speech’, while other party leaders wondered whether Raj is blind to the problems of spiralling fuel prices, inflation, unemployment to indulge in such lectures.

Meanwhile, the Thane Police are reportedly sharpening their knives to book Raj for brandishing a sword at the rally and the NCP planning a befitting reply to the attacks on its leaders at the party’s weekend rally.

Maharashtra

Admissions sought for Junior KG to Grade 4 in Govind BMC ‘Mumbai Public School, Shivaji Nagar English School No. 01’

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Mumbai: The Education Department of Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has started an English medium school named ‘Mumbai Public School, Shivaji Nagar English School No. 01’ in a newly constructed building at Mumbai Public School, Shivaji Nagar School Complex No. 4, Baji Prabhu Deshpande Marg, Near Shivaji Nagar Market, Mumbai (04W), Govind 04, Mumbai Public School, Shivaji Nagar School Complex No. 4, Mumbai (04W).

The school follows the Maharashtra State Board curriculum and will conduct classes from Junior KG to Grade 4. It is worth noting that priority admission will be given to students currently studying in unauthorized schools in Govind and surrounding areas. Due to the limited number of seats, the BMC Education Department appeals to as many parents as possible to avail this facility.

Interested parents should contact the following address for admission: Address: 1st Floor, Mumbai Public School, Shivaji Nagar School Complex No. 4, Baji Prabhu Deshpande Marg, Near Shivaji Nagar Market, Govind (West), Mumbai – 400 043.

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Maharashtra

Action taken by Mumbai Municipal Corporation’s ‘F-South’ and ‘H-East’ wards, 15 shops removed in Dadar and Santa Cruz areas

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Mumbai: Municipal Corporation is taking strict action as part of its ‘Pedestrian First’ campaign, which aims to remove obstructions from footpaths and make them walkable for pedestrians. Under this initiative, 15 unauthorised shops and 15 unauthorised hawkers obstructing footpaths in Dadar area (from ‘F-South’ ward) and Santacruz area (from ‘H-East’ ward) were removed today (August 13, 2026).

As per the directions of the High Court, under the guidance of Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide. Led by Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Prajakta Vermalawangire, the Mumbai Municipal Corporation is implementing the ‘Pedestrian First’ campaign to immediately remove unauthorised hawkers and encroachments, thus ensuring obstacle-free footpaths.

Under the guidance of Deputy Commissioner (Zone-2) Prashant Sapkale and led by Assistant Commissioner (F-South Ward), the drive was carried out in Dadar (East) area by the ‘F-South’ ward. During this drive, 04 unauthorized shops, 12 temporary tarpaulin sheds, 06 unauthorized platforms (cut*) and 15 hawkers obstructing the footpath along Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Road in Dadar (East) were removed.
Under the guidance of Deputy Commissioner (Zone-3) Vishwas Mote and led by Assistant Commissioner (H-East), Mrudula Ende, ‘H-East’ ward today conducted an encroachment removal drive in Santa Cruz (East) area. The drive included demolition of six unauthorized shops located along roads 6, 7 and 11 in TPS-3 area as well as five unauthorized shops located on the footpath along Nanasaheb Dharmadhikari Marg. The operation also included a food van. The drive has cleared about 500 meters of sidewalk space, making it easier for pedestrians to walk. Meanwhile, the municipal corporation is taking various steps to ensure clean and accessible sidewalks for pedestrians. As a result, the administration has warned against unauthorized construction or placing any material on the sidewalks that obstruct them. Strict action will be taken if such violations are observed.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai: Murder sparks sensation after dispute over hotel bill payment, police launch major operation, solves murder mystery within 24 hours, two arrested accused confess

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A sensational incident of murder of a youth took place in a hotel in Mumbai after a dispute over payment of the bill, after which tension spread here, while the police have succeeded in arresting the accused within 24 hours. On the night of August 11, a man was severely beaten near the Salman Hotel in the limits of Goregaon police station. Aziz Muhammad Atiq Khan, 30, was admitted to the hospital where the doctors declared him dead. The police have started an inquiry into the murder. The victim’s brother told the police that Aziz Khan asked the owner of Salman Hotel, Danish Khan, to pay the hotel bill to two people. During this, both of them argued with the victim and said that we don’t know what you have to do with this. We will see about you … Then they both attacked the victim and hit Aziz Khan on the head with a wooden box, due to which he was seriously injured and the doctors declared him dead during treatment. The police have registered a case of murder and started searching for the accused. Six teams were formed to arrest the accused. After receiving a tip-off, the police arrested the accused and they have confessed to the crime. The accused have been identified as Ajay Mani Upadhyay, 39, and Vikas Devaraj Paswan, 32, an office boy. Within 24 hours, the police have solved the mystery of the murder and succeeded in arresting the accused. This operation was carried out by DCP Parshottam Karad on the instructions of Mumbai Police Commissioner Devin Bharti.

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