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Maharashtra

Prior to meeting Rahul Gandhi, Sanjay Raut declares ‘MVA a mini-UPA’

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Ahead of his meeting with Congress MP Rahul Gandhi later on Tuesday, Shiv Sena MP and Chief Spokesperson Sanjay Raut has declared that the “Maha Vikas Aghadi government is like a mini-United Progressive Alliance” which is doing well.

He said there has been a lot of media speculation whether the Sena is joining the UPA and if it would support the Congress in the upcoming Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Goa and other states.

“The Congress is in power along with Sena and NCP in the MVA and the state government is doing very well. We function on the basis of a Common Minimum Programme, similar to the UPA or even the NDA where parties with different views come together for the national cause,” Raut pointed out.

He said in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), during the leadership of the late Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, there were many having ideological differences and some even opposing the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, but they all worked together.

“The MVA also has three parties with dissimilar views working on a common minimum programme. It is an experiment and the MVA is like a mini-UPA… Such experiments must be emulated elsewhere in the country,” Raut urged.

Whether the UPA or the Opposition parties, they should come forward and provide alternatives, and this is the viewpoint of both Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray as well as NCP President Sharad Pawar, he asserted.

Raut’s statements assume significance, coming barely a week after All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had loudly hammered coffin-nails for the UPA following her meetings with Sena and Nationalist Congress Party leaders in Mumbai, while the Congress was kept out.

As a seething Congress reacted furiously, the Sena not only reiterated — akin to the NCP — that “no opposition unity was possible in the country without the Congress”, but Raut also decided to mend the fences by meeting with Rahul Gandhi and possibly even Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

On his upcoming rendezvous with Rahul Gandhi, he said the Sena strongly believes in dialogue with its allies and they would discuss Maharashtra, the functioning of the MVA and the future course for the country as a whole.

To a query whether the Sena will join the UPA and unitedly fight the oncoming Assembly elections in different states, Raut shot back that for all these issues, CM Thackeray will take the final call after considering all factors and discussing with the MVA partners.

Crime

Thane Rural Police Arrest Titwala Man For Brutal Murder Of Missing Ola Driver

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Mumbai: Thane Rural Police have arrested Adarsh Chandrakant Bhalerao from Titwala for the murder of missing Ola driver Nasir Ahmed.

Ahmed’s body was found in the jurisdiction of Otur Police Station near Malshej Ghat, while his blood-stained car was discovered in a forest near Govili village on the Kalyan–Murbad road.

Police traced the accused through CCTV footage and technical analysis, and the motive behind the murder is still under investigation.

The dead body with multiple wounds of a Ola driver Nasir Ahmed was found 90 km from Titwala in one of the forest, he was missing since last four days, his car was found in a pool of blood at abondoned place near Govali village, Kalyan Taluka police (Thane Rural) doing the further probe.

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Maharashtra

Mahayoti’s big gift to the people of Mumbai… Now there is no tax for houses up to 500 square feet, the Municipal Corporation has increased this limit to 700 square feet.

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Mumbai: Mahayoti has taken a big decision in the BMC (BMC) i.e. Mumbai Municipal Corporation and the property tax exemption limit for houses in Mumbai (Mumbai) has been increased. According to the new resolution, the proposal to increase the property tax exemption limit from 500 square feet to 700 square feet was unanimously approved. This decision was taken unanimously in the Municipal Corporation hall on Friday. Therefore, the people of Mumbai have received a big gift from the new Mahayoti and the new Mayor in the Municipal Corporation. Interestingly, earlier during the municipal election campaign, the Shiv Sena-MNS alliance had also promised to give a property tax exemption of up to 700 square feet in its manifesto. Earlier, residents of Mumbai did not have to pay any tax for houses up to 500 square feet.

However, now the Municipal Corporation has approved increasing this limit to 700 square feet. Due to this new property tax exemption, the municipality will have to bear a revenue and tax loss of about Rs 700 crore. Middle-class families living in slums and chals in Mumbai get flats free of cost from private developers under the Slum and Chal Rehabilitation and Group Redevelopment Scheme, however, given the financial condition of middle-class families, they are not even able to pay property tax for 500 sq ft flats. The rising expenses of raising a family, medicine, children’s education and property tax and maintenance of the flat cannot be borne, the middle class has no option but to sell their flats and move out of Mumbai so that the real Mumbaikars stay in Mumbai and they do not have to migrate or relocate from Mumbai. It is absolutely necessary to increase the property tax exemption limit. It is strongly felt that property tax on residential flats up to 700 sq ft in Mumbai area should be waived. In this resolution, in paragraph 1 above, the Mayor should be requested to make a suitable representation to the State Government as per the views expressed. Phanse gave this advice in the House. Now the proposal will be sent to the departmental officers for further administrative process. After this, it will go to the Law and Regulations Department. After completing all the legal verifications, the proposal will be presented to the Municipal Commissioner for final approval. After the Commissioner’s signature, a formal circular will be issued and the property tax exemption will be applicable to houses between 500 and 700 sq ft. This decision is likely to provide direct financial relief to thousands of families in Mumbai.

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Maharashtra

International Women’s Day 2026: Maha CM Fadnavis, Shinde Share Messages Celebrating Women’s Courage & Achievements

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Maharashtra: On the occasion of International Women’s Day on Sunday, March 8, several political leaders from Maharashtra took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to extend greetings and recognise the strength, resilience and contributions of women in shaping society.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis shared a video highlighting the important role women have played in India’s progress across sectors such as education, science, politics, administration, arts and industry. The video also showcased initiatives introduced by the state government to support women, including the Mahila Sanman Yojana and Lakhpati Didi Yojana, aimed at strengthening economic empowerment and opportunities for women in Maharashtra. Sharing the video, Fadnavis wrote, “Happy International Women’s Day! Celebrating the strength, resilience, and leadership of women, today and every day.

”Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also marked the occasion by sharing a message honouring women. Posting an image carrying the words, “From whose womb the entire world is born, that world power’s name is woman,” Shinde extended heartfelt wishes to women across the state.

Sunetra Pawar shared a video message praising women as the foundation and strength of society. She highlighted the courage, patience and determination with which women overcome daily challenges and inspire others. Referring to historic figures such as Jijabai, Ahilyadevi Holkar and Savitribai Phule, Pawar said their ideals continue to guide the journey towards women’s empowerment. She also described it as an honour to serve as a woman leader in Maharashtra’s government and reaffirmed her commitment to strengthening opportunities for women, concluding her message with the words, “Jai Hind, Jai Maharashtra.”

National Congress Party (SP) Leader Sharad Pawar also shared a message emphasising the transformative role women have played across fields including politics, education, culture, sports, administration and space exploration. He noted that despite facing discrimination and restrictive social traditions in the past, women have achieved remarkable success when given opportunities. Pawar urged society to oppose regressive mindsets and uphold the progressive legacy of Shiv, Shahu, Phule, and Ambedkar, as well as the ideals of inspiring figures like Rajmata Jijau, Savitribai Phule, and Ahilyabai Holkar.

Meanwhile, Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde paid tribute to historic women leaders through a video shared on the occasion. In the caption accompanying the video, Tawde highlighted the contributions of figures such as Jijabai, Savitribai Phule, Rani Lakshmibai and Anandibai Joshi, stating that their courage, intellect and struggles laid the foundation for the rights and progress women enjoy today. She added that carrying forward their ideals would be the true tribute to their sacrifices while extending greetings to women on International Women’s Day.

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