Maharashtra
Rais Shaikh Ousted from Maharashtra Samajwadi Party; Yusuf Abrahani Takes His Place
Mumbai: (Kamar Ansari) The internal rift within the Maharashtra unit of the Samajwadi Party has now come out in the open. For the past several days, senior party leader Abu Asim Azmi had been reportedly upset with his own party MLA, Rais Shaikh. Though he had hinted at his displeasure in earlier statements, the matter has now escalated publicly. Azmi has chosen former Congress leader Yusuf Abrahani to replace Rais Shaikh, making it evident that Shaikh is being shown the door from the party.
On the ground, one key reason behind this development appears to be Rais Shaikh’s growing popularity. In both Mumbai and Bhiwandi, he has gained considerable public support due to his relentless efforts and grassroots connect. Rais Shaikh has been elected twice from the Bhiwandi Assembly constituency on a Samajwadi Party ticket. Local residents believe he was re-elected solely because of the development work he has undertaken — particularly in education, roads, and water supply.
His strong connection with the people has further elevated his stature. Even in South Mumbai, where he once served as a municipal corporator, the public still appreciates his work. Due to this, voters are also showing interest in candidates backed by Rais Shaikh in the upcoming municipal elections.
According to sources, Abu Asim Azmi began to feel threatened by Shaikh’s rising prominence. This tension was reportedly worsened by the Samajwadi Party high command, including Akhilesh Yadav, who is believed to be unhappy with Azmi. Insiders suggest that Shaikh is being removed by azmi to prevent him from becoming a dominant force within the party.
Interestingly, Yusuf Abrahani — who left Congress recently and joined the Samajwadi Party — is the same person who, about two decades ago, had walked away from the Samajwadi Party, taking several corporators with him and severely weakening the party’s Mumbai unit. The Congress later rewarded him with a ticket from Mankhurd, from where he served one term as an MLA. However, he failed to retain his seat in the next election.
Abu Asim Azmi later contested and won from the same Mankhurd seat, defeating Yusuf Abrahani. Notably, Rais Shaikh played a crucial role in ensuring Azmi’s victory from Mankhurd. Now, ironically, in order to sideline Shaikh, Azmi has brought Abrahani back into the fold — hoping he can once again mobilize several corporators in favor of the party.
The office from where Rais Shaikh used to operate has also reportedly been handed over to Yusuf Abrahani — a clear message that Shaikh no longer has a place in the party.
According to close associates of Akhilesh Yadav and party insiders, the Samajwadi Party is now looking for a strong alternative to Azmi in Maharashtra. To prevent further damage, the central leadership is said to be increasingly ignoring Azmi’s decisions and moving in a different direction.
Maharashtra
Youth are not with you, you are just doing politics, Shrikant Shinde attacks the opposition

During the debate in the Lok Sabha on the amendment bill to prevent irregularities in public examinations, Shiv Sena MP Dr. Shrikant Shinde lashed out at the opposition. He said that while the Modi government is taking decisive steps to secure the future of the youth, the opposition is merely playing politics over the students’ woes. Dr. Shinde remarked that the anger expressed by the youth should not be seen as a mere protest but as the beginning of a systemic change. No single exam determines the entire life of a student. If a student does not succeed in an exam, he should not despair but focus on the future of his life, his family and the country.
Urging the youth to draw inspiration from the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, he said that Shivaji Maharaj laid the foundation of Hindu Swarajya by conquering his first fort at the age of just sixteen. Today’s youth also have the power to change the nation. Only the right direction and a strong system are needed. Dr. Shinde said that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government has not only condemned the incidents of paper leaks but has also taken concrete steps to clean up the entire system. Citing the moral accountability of the government, he pointed out that Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned from his post, and now, through this amendment bill, arrangements are being made for fast-track courts so that the accused in the paper leak case are punished at the earliest. He stressed that the government’s aim is not just to imprison the culprits but to save a precious year of millions of students. Stressing the need for educational reforms, Dr. Shinde said that the result of years of hard work and the fulfillment of dreams of families should not depend on a single three-hour exam. Students should get the opportunity to appear for the exam several times a year. The government should also take steps towards developing a question bank system, reducing the increasing mental pressure on students and implementing effective regulations for the coaching industry. He said that the Mahayoti government in Maharashtra has taken a historic initiative to provide free education to the economically weaker sections and girls belonging to EC-BC categories. This government is not just making laws but is committed to comprehensive reforms in the education system. Attacking the opposition hard, Dr. Shrikant Shinde remarked that those who are now claiming to champion the youth failed to go to Jantar Mantar during the 37-day-long student protest. They feared the emergence of a new political alternative. Now, seeing their political platform slipping, they have started doing politics in the name of the youth. He challenged the opposition to first clarify whether the youth are really with them. Inciting the emotions of the students, abusing the government, and spreading misinformation does not offer any solution to the problem. In a democracy, the government interacted with the students, listened to their concerns, and even withdrew the cases registered against them in several instances. This shows the strength of democracy and the sensitivity of the Modi government. Dr. Shinde stressed that this amendment bill is not just a law to stop paper leaks but is a firm commitment to secure the future of millions of youth, ensure transparency in the examination system and bring about educational reforms. The opposition should put aside politics and stand in support of the youth of the country and their future. During the parliamentary debate on the Examination Reforms Bill, Shiv Sena MP Dr. Shrikant Shinde said that comprehensive reforms are needed in the examination system of the country. He pointed out that conducting important examinations like NEET only once a year puts unnecessary pressure on lakhs of students. Dr. Shinde noted that many students miss the examination due to illness, family reasons or other circumstances, with students from rural areas facing more difficulties in particular. In such a situation, they lose an entire year. He suggested that serious consideration should be given to conducting the NEET examination more than once a year. In many countries, such examinations are held twice a year. Implementing a similar system in India will give students a second chance and reduce mental stress. Dr. Shinde said that the systems governing not only NEET but also other competitive exams should be updated with the changing times to ensure fair and better opportunities for students.
Maharashtra
Terror in Mumbai! Zulfikar gang accused of demanding a week’s notice from a builder and killing him, Mumbai Crime Branch action, 12 goons arrested

Mumbai: The Mumbai Crime Branch has claimed to have arrested gangster Zulfikar Behlim and his brother Mohsin Behlim for demanding a ransom of Rs 25 lakh from a builder. Both of them had demanded a ransom of Rs 25 lakh from the builder and also threatened to kill him. In this regard, the builder had registered a case against gangster Zulfiqar and his brother, including 12 gangsters. Crime Branch Unit 9 laid a trap and arrested these 12 accused while collecting the ransom. A case has been registered against the accused under the Extortion and Arms Acts. The court has ordered the accused to be remanded till July 31. Zulfikar and Mohsin had created terror in Mumbai city and suburbs and had also tried to demand ransom from several builders. Therefore, the police have appealed that if this gang has demanded ransom from anyone, they can register a complaint against them with the police and the Crime Branch. This action was taken by Mumbai Police Commissioner Devin Bharti Joint Police Commissioner Anil The investigation was carried out by Kanbhare DCP Nunath Dhole and Crime Unit In-charge Sachin Pranak.
Maharashtra
Chona Bhatti MCOCA and murder suspect arrested from Navi Mumbai

Mumbai: Crime Branch has claimed to have arrested an accused wanted in murder and MCOCA at Chunabhatti Police Station in Mumbai. He was hiding in Navi Mumbai, adjoining Mumbai, hiding his identity. The Mumbai Crime Branch received information about this. The Crime Branch conducted a raid in Kharghar, Navi Mumbai and arrested the absconding accused, Swastik Sawant, 32. A case was registered against him at Chunabhatti Police Station in 2023 and he was hiding in Sindhudurg, Goa, Chennai, Rajasthan, and Delhi areas. Crime Branch Unit 6 started searching for the accused in this regard and then information was received that he was hiding in Navi Mumbai, after which he was arrested. This operation was carried out by DCP Nunath Dhola of Mumbai Crime Branch.
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