New Delhi, March 23: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday stated that the government is working to ensure uninterrupted oil and gas supplies amid the conflict in West Asia, while emphasising that India has diversified its energy imports, unlike in previous instances, and will continue sourcing from wherever possible.

Initially, India imported energy needs such as crude oil, LNG, and LPG from 27 countries. Now, it imports energy from 41 countries.

The Prime Minister, addressing the Lok Sabha on the West Asia crisis, spoke about the energy security concerns of the country, said, “A large quantity of crude oil, gas, and fertilisers — many essential items — come to India through the Hormuz Strait route. Since the war began, the movement of ships through the Hormuz Strait has become very challenging. Despite this, our government has made efforts to ensure that the supply of petrol, diesel, and gas is not severely impacted.”

PM Modi stated that India imports 60 per cent of its LPG requirement and due to uncertainty in supply, the Centre has “prioritised domestic LPG consumers”.

“At the same time, domestic production of LPG is also being increased. Continuous efforts have also been made to ensure that the supply of petrol and diesel across the country remains smooth,” he said.

Highlighting the steps taken by the BJP-led government in the Centre over the last decade towards energy security, the Prime Minister said, “In the past 11 years, India has diversified its energy imports. Previously, energy needs such as crude oil, LNG, and LPG were imported from 27 countries. Today, India imports energy from 41 countries.”

He further highlighted India’s strategic steps to ensure energy security amid the ongoing conflict.

In the last decade, he said that India has prioritised storage of crude oil for times of crisis and today, the country has a strategic petroleum reserve of more than 53 lakh metric tonnes. He mentioned that the work is underway to create reserves of more than 64 lakh metric tonnes. The reserves held by Indian oil companies are separate, he added.

“In the last 11 years, our refining capacity has also increased significantly. The government is continuously in touch with suppliers from different countries, making efforts to ensure that oil and gas supplies continue from wherever possible. The Government of India is keeping a constant watch on Gulf and overseas shipping routes,” he said.

“Our endeavour is that ships carrying essential items like oil, gas, and fertilisers reach India safely. We are in constant communication with all our global partners to ensure that our maritime corridors remain safe. Due to such efforts, several of our ships stranded in the Hormuz Strait have also arrived in India in recent days,” PM Modi added.

The uproar during the election for the post of president of Mumbai’s Satara Zilla Parishad had a huge impact in the legislature on Monday. Shiv Sena MLAs became quite aggressive on this issue. As soon as Shiv Sena minister Shambhuraj Desai raised the issue in the Legislative Council, Deputy Speaker Neelam Gorhe immediately ordered the suspension of Satara Superintendent of Police Tushar Doshi. After this, Shiv Sena MLAs sat on the steps of the legislature and protested against Superintendent of Police Tushar Doshi and the manner in which the elections to Satara Zilla Parishad were held. At that time, Shiv Sena MLAs raised loud slogans. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis looked quite angry due to the protest of Shiv Sena MLAs. After all this, he reached the house and spoke to Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Shambhuraj Desai. After all this, a round of talks began between Shiv Sena and BJP leaders to resolve the issue. Meanwhile, it is understood that there was a phone conversation between Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. At that time, Devendra Fadnavis also expressed his displeasure over the steps of the Shiv Sena MLA on the Vidhan Bhavan. Then Eknath Shinde immediately raised a counter question. Eknath Shinde expressed his displeasure over the behavior of BJP MLA Jay Kumar Gaur in Satara. It is understood that Eknath Shinde asked Devendra Fadnavis if the Shiv Sena MLA’s protest on the steps was not right, so was Jay Kumar Gaur’s behavior right. Now it is understood that a meeting will be held between Eknath Shinde and Devendra Fadnavis soon regarding this dispute. Sources also know that behind-the-scenes activities are going on to ensure harmony between the two parties. Shiv Sena ministers and MLAs became aggressive against the misbehavior in Satara. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also expressed his displeasure over this incident. He said that the secondary treatment being given to the ruling ministers and MLAs is unbearable. Not only this, the Shiv Sena minister also expressed his position to Eknath Shinde that we will resign. The MLAs and ministers said that this should be considered because we are constantly being suppressed and strangled.
The total number of seats in Sitara Zilla Parishad is 65.

BJP 27, NCP 20, Shiv Sena 15, Congress 1, Independent 2. During the Zilla Parishad elections in Sitara, Shambhuraj Desai made serious allegations of misbehavior and threats to the police, after which a ruckus has started in the House as well. Shiv Sena took an aggressive stance and protested on the steps of the Assembly, due to which there have now been rumors of differences between Shiv Sena and BJP, while efforts have also been made to resolve these differences. This claim has been made by political sources. Now Shiv Sena and BJP have come face to face on this issue.

Mumbai, March 23: The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief, Raj Thackeray, on Monday expressed profound disgust over the “hideous details” emerging from the self-proclaimed “royal astrologer,” Ashok Kharat case, questioning the moral decay of a state once defined by the legacy of seers and social reformers.

He highlighted the stark contrast between the Maharashtra of icons like Sant Dnyaneshwar, Tukaram, and Gadge Baba, and the current reality where “vile individuals” like Kharat allegedly operate under political patronage.

“We showcased the rich traditions of Maharashtra to the youth — from the spiritual cultivation of the Marathi mind by Prabodhankar Thackeray to the intellectual depth of Lokmanya Tilak. To see modern leaders abandon logic and ‘Gita Rahasya’ to fall at the feet of a man like Kharat is not just unfortunate; it is terrifying,” Raj Thackeray said in his post on X.

Raj Thackeray’s post pointed out a “tragic paradox” wherein many sitting MLAs who may be implicated in this scandal are the very individuals who passed the Anti-Superstition and Black Magic Act in December 2013. This “moral downfall” suggests that the pursuit of power has replaced the commitment to rationalism.

Raj Thackeray further highlighted a disturbing pattern in the state’s political hierarchy including the power chase, the fear of displacement and bureaucratic collusion. “A desperate scramble for tickets, followed by an obsession with securing ministerial berths. Constant anxiety over losing positions to new allies, leading leaders to seek “miraculous” interventions from self-styled godmen. Allegations that certain officials have become “planners and advisors” to ministers solely to remain close to the corridors of power,” he remarked.

While acknowledging Chief Minister and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ claim that the government unearthed the case, Raj Thackeray said the statement raises sharp questions regarding the timing.

“If the government wants credit for the investigation, they must also accept responsibility for the Intelligence failure that allowed this to happen under their watch,” Raj Thackeray commented.

He further stated, “There are growing whispers that the case is being used as a political tool to ‘clip the wings’ of ambitious rivals, with fears that the investigation might be shelved once political surrenders are secured.”

Raj Thackeray issued a stern warning to the Press. ”Do not become pawns in this ‘Dhobi-pachhad’ (wrestling-move) politics. Do not let this case rest until Kharat and his patrons face the harshest punishment.”

He also warned the citizens, “Despite our traditions of Kirtan and Dnyaneshwari, if we continue to elect such representatives, the future of Maharashtra is in peril.”

Raj Thackeray concluded with a vow to continue educating the younger generation about the true, progressive identity of Maharashtra, urging the state to reject the “shamelessness” of those who trade ethics for political survival.