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Raj Thackeray puts off Ayodhya trip in political setback for MNS

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In a self-inflicted political blow, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena President Raj Thackeray on Friday morning tersely announced that he has temporarily “postponed” his proposed visit to Ayodhya on June 5.

He himself made the announcement via social media but didn’t spell out any reasons for the move, leading to wild speculations in political circles.

MNS spokesperson Sandip Deshpande and party leader Bala Nandgaonkar were at a loss to explain what actually prompted the unexpected decision, but assured that Raj Thackeray will enlighten the people about it at his planned public rally in Pune on Sunday.

Adding to the MNS’ awkwardness, ruling Maha Vikas allies’ leaders like Shiv Sena’s Tourism Minister Aditya Thackeray and state Congress President Nana Patole announced that their upcoming tours for ‘darshan’ of Ram Lalla would proceed as per schedule and their trips would be “non-political”.

Taking a swipe at the MNS chief, Shiv Sena chief spokesperson Sanjay Raut said that he heard about it from the media, “but we would have supported him”.

“There’s a large number of Shiv Sainiks and Sena supporters in Ayodhya, and we would have supported him… He is being used by the Bharatiya Janata Party, but some people get delayed wisdom,” he said.

Nationalist Congress Party spokesperson Clyde Crasto expressed hope that Raj Thackeray would now realise how he was being exploited by the BJP politically.

“They propped him to propagate their agenda and when their message was delivered, they have cut him down to size. He was used as a pawn and he allowed himself to be used to revive his failed political career,” he claimed.

Congress General Secretary Sachin Sawant squarely blamed the BJP for Raj Thackeray’s current predicament.

“First, the BJP pumped up air into him, but when it feared that the Hindutva vote-bank would be divided, they snipped him off,” he said.

Sena MoS and spokesperson Kishore Tiwari alleged that the BJP-MNS and Rana couple were competing to prove whose Hindutva brand is the worst and Raj Thackeray got trapped in their machinations.

“He had harassed North Indians and when the BJP felt this cannot continue as it would have repercussions (in the upcoming civic elections), they ejected him… Anyways, his planned Ayodhya trip was purely political as there people have nothing to do with religion or Hindutva,” he added.

Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis merely said: “Raj has postponed his visit now, but whenever he plans to go there, he will be given full support and nobody will touch him.”

Raj Thackeray’s abrupt decision came amid massive protests by certain BJP leaders and activists in Uttar Pradesh and other northern states opposing his Ayodhya trip.

They have been vociferously demanding his unconditional apology for the treatment meted out to North Indians in the MNS agitation in 2008.

The anti-Raj Thackeray protests were spearheaded by Uttar Pradesh BJP MP Brijbhushan Sharan Singh who warned that unless he apologises, lakhs of his supporters would block his entry to Ayodhya.

Though Raj Thackeray has not revealed anything, there’s speculation that the postponement may have been due to health reasons, but MNS leaders declined comments.

Back in Uttar Pradesh, Brijbhushan Sharan Singh dismissed the MNS claims of “postponement due to illness” and asserted that Raj Thackeray has “cancelled” his trip, and vowed to continue his agitation till the MNS chief tenders an apology.

Earlier, apprehending threats, MNS’ Nandgaonkar had called on Maharashtra Home Minister Dilip Walse-Patil and demanded security for Raj Thackeray either from the state government or the Centre.

Simultaneously, he warned that “even if a hair of Raj was harmed, Maharashtra would burn”, though preparations for the Ayodhya trip continued.

Since a month, Raj Thackeray has been in the limelight after he launched an agitation demanding removal of loudspeakers from all mosques in the state failing which his activists would blare Hanuman Chalisa at double-decibel levels.

National News

JD(U) demands one-phase polling in ECI meeting with 12 political parties in Patna

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Patna, Oct 4: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday held a crucial meeting with 12 recognised political parties in Patna ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar chaired the meeting and assured that all suggestions put forward by the parties would be considered before finalising the poll schedule. The ruling JD(U) sought Assembly polls to be held in a single phase.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, JD(U) working president Sanjay Jha, who represented the party, demanded that the Assembly polls be conducted in a single phase.

“We have thanked the Commission for successfully conducting the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list. We have requested that the Bihar elections be held in one phase. Law and order and Naxalism are no longer issues in Bihar. If elections can be held in one phase in Maharashtra, why not here? Paramilitary forces should be deployed at all polling stations so that the poor face no difficulties in voting,” Jha said.

Jha also suggested that election dates should be fixed, keeping in mind the Chhath festival, so that people returning home for the festival can also cast their votes.

On the other hand, the RJD’s Aurangabad MP Abhay Kushwaha and the party’s election convener Chitranjan Gagan, who represented the party at the meeting, demanded that polling be conducted in two phases.

“We have asked the CEC to release the data of the 3.64 lakh voters deleted during the SIR process. We have also sought complete security arrangements in Dalit, Mahadalit, extremely backward and backward caste villages, so that these communities can vote freely. In the past, they were often prevented from voting,” Kushwaha said.

Responding to the BJP’s demand that women in burqas be verified by female officers, Kushwaha said: “A new voter list with photographs has already been published after the SIR. Despite this, if the BJP is making such demands, it is nothing but politics.”

The ECI’s consultations mark a significant step in finalising preparations for the high-stakes Bihar polls.

Political observers believe the Commission may announce election dates shortly, with voting likely to take place in multiple phases across the state.

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National News

Mumbai: MSF Jawan Killed After Falling From Crowded Local Train Between Malad & Goregaon

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Mumbai: A Maharashtra Security Force (MSF) jawan lost his life after falling from a crowded local train on Friday. The incident, which took place between Malad and Goregaon, has once again raised serious concerns over commuter safety during peak hours.

The deceased has been identified as 31-year-old Ganesh Jagdale, who was attached to the Dahisar police station. According to reports, Jagdale had finished his night duty and boarded a Churchgate-bound local from Dahisar around 8:30 am. The train, packed with commuters during the morning rush hour, left him standing precariously close to the door.

Between Malad and Goregaon stations, Jagdale was reportedly caught in a wave of pushing and jostling inside the compartment. Unable to maintain his balance, he fell off the moving train and landed on the tracks. Gravely injured, he was rushed to Shatabdi Hospital in Kandivali, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.

The Borivali Government Railway Police (GRP) registered a case of accidental death. Jagdale had only recently been transferred from Vanrai police station in Goregaon East to Dahisar police station, where he had joined duty just a day earlier.

This accident adds to a growing list of fatalities caused by overcrowding in Mumbai’s suburban trains. Despite repeated incidents, safety measures remain a major concern, with thousands of daily commuters continuing to risk their lives by travelling on open footboards.

Amid rising criticism, the Indian Railways on Friday announced that a prototype of a closed-door local train has been developed and will soon undergo pilot trials. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had earlier assured that all newly manufactured trains would be equipped with automatic door-closing systems. Efforts are also being made to retrofit the existing fleet to curb accidents caused by passengers falling from open doors.

The move follows the June 9 Mumbra tragedy, where eight commuters died after falling from a crowded train. Officials stress that automatic door closures will majorly enhance passenger safety and reduce such fatal mishaps.

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Maharashtra

Maharashtra: ‘Strengthening Anganwadis And Schemes Essential For Malnutrition Eradication,’ Says Minister Aditi Tatkare

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Mumbai, October 3: Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Annapurna Devi, has emphasized that the holistic development of women and children is essential for achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat (Developed India). She assured that the central government will extend full cooperation to all states for the effective implementation of welfare schemes in this direction.

Speaking during a virtual meeting chaired by her and attended by Women and Child Development Ministers from various states, Annapurna Devi highlighted the need for coordination between the Centre and states to ensure the success of flagship schemes like Mission Vatsalya and Mission Shakti.

Maharashtra’s Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare stressed that increasing the number of Anganwadi centres is crucial for achieving a malnutrition-free state. She also demanded that the Centre provide adequate support for the strengthening of Anganwadi services and related schemes.

During the discussion, issues such as human resource planning, infrastructure development, financial balance, fair wages, reliable NGO participation, and timely grants were taken up to make scheme implementation more effective.

Tatkare informed that Maharashtra is actively working to prevent child marriages, dowry practices, domestic violence, and sexual harassment. Under the New Education Policy, the state is implementing the “Padhaai Bhi, Poshan Bhi” initiative to integrate education with nutrition.

She added that for women’s safety and empowerment, the state is running One Stop Centres, Women Helpline 181, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, and Nari Adalats under Mission Shakti. To enhance their effectiveness, she called for independent vehicles for district protection units, proper rental facilities, and better resources for helplines.

Highlighting initiatives like the Mukhya Mantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, Pink E-Rickshaw scheme, and Adishakti Abhiyan, Tatkare said Maharashtra has already taken concrete steps for women’s welfare. For the protection and rehabilitation of children under Mission Vatsalya, she stressed the need for vehicles for district protection units, consistency in wages, sufficient funds, and NGO participation.

“Maharashtra has strong policies and schemes in place for the protection of women and children. With adequate support and funding from the Centre, the state can set a model example for the rest of the country in effective implementation,” Tatkare affirmed.

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