Politics
Rajya Sabha, MLC polls: Karnataka BJP core committee meeting on Saturday

The state BJP Core Committee is set to meet here on Saturday to discuss the forthcoming Legislative Council and Rajya Sabha elections, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said while speaking to the mediapersons at his residence.
“We discussed other issues during the meeting with BJP State President Nalin Kumar Kateel on Thursday. The issues related to Council and Rajya Sabha elections would be discussed in detail at the Core Committee meeting,” Bommai said on Friday.
Regarding the reservation for the Backward Classes in the Local Bodies election, Bommai said, “The BBMP election issue is being heard by the Supreme Court. Reservation has to be provided for Backward Classes in Taluk and Zila Panchayat elections legally and in accordance with the Constitution.
A Commission has been constituted in this regard. We have requested for more time to get the Commission submit its report or allow for conducting the elections as per the earlier reservation system. It is almost likely to get the nod,” Bommai said.
The Rajya Sabha elections from the state legislature for four seats will be held on June 10. Tenure of Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, BJP Rajya Sabha member K.C. Rammurthy, former Union Minister Jairam Ramesh of the Congress, who was elected from Karnataka will end on June 6. One Rajya Sabha seat was lying vacant after the demise of former Union Minister and Congress veteran leader Oscar Fernandes.
Going by the numbers in the state legislature, ruling BJP could bag two Rajya Sabha seats and the Congress could win one seat easily. The national parties need the support of JD(S) for another seat. Sources said that the BJP was contemplating fielding JD(S) supported candidates through the party to win three among 4 seats.
The selection of Niramala Sitharaman is assured and the BJP is yet to decide on another candidate. Jairam Ramesh will be the most probable candidate from the Congress.
The elections to the seven Legislative Council seats are going to be held on June 3 and another four seats would be held on June 13.
National
Maharashtra Cabinet clears 802 km Shaktipeeth Expressway

Mumbai, June 24: The Maharashtra Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, on Tuesday approved the much-debated 802-km six-lane Shaktipeeth Expressway connecting 18 pilgrimage sites, including three and a half Shaktipeeths, two Jyotirlingas and Pandharpur Ambajogai in the state.
The project cost is estimated at Rs 86,300 crore and will pass through 12 districts.
The state-run Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation is the nodal agency for its development.
The cabinet cleared a provision of Rs 20,000 crore for the project design and land acquisition.
The expressway has been proposed from Pawanar in Wardha district to Patradevi in Sindhudurg district. This will reduce the travel time from the present 18 to 20 hours to just 8-10 hours.
According to the government sources, it aims to boost tourism, regional development, and provide easier access to spiritual sites. The expressway will pass through three Shakti Peethas of Mahalaxmi (Kolhapur), Tulja Bhawani (Dharashiv) and Patradevi (Goa), two Jyotirlingas of Aundha Nagnath (Hingoli) and Parli Vaijnath (Beed), historic town of Pandharpur, which houses the Shri Vitthal-Rukmini Mandir.
Last week, Chief Minister Fadnavis had directed the Finance Department to allocate Rs 12,000 crore required in connection with land acquisition for the proposed Shaktipeeth Expressway.
“Delays in projects lead to major cost escalations. All agencies concerned have been assigned specific timelines, and strict adherence to these is necessary. The land acquisition process must be treated with seriousness and executed in mission mode,” he said.
CM Fadnavis, who has been a strong advocate of the Shaktipeeth Expressway, claimed the project will open up new opportunities and transform the state.
He clarified that the government will not force the project on anyone, saying that the government will sit and understand the issues of farmers. While a section of farmers is protesting, another lot has plans to have gatherings to show their support for the project, he noted.
Today’s Cabinet approval comes amid strong protests by opposition parties, farmers and villagers who claimed that the proposed highway will damage their irrigated farmlands and is being planned for the benefit of contractors.
The Maha Vikas Aghadi has been opposing the project, claiming that it will affect farmers badly and benefit contractors.
The opposition parties are expected to take up the issue during the upcoming Monsoon Session of the state legislature, starting June 30 in Mumbai.
The Mahayuti government, ahead of state Assembly elections last year, had put on hold the land acquisition for the expressway in the wake of strong protests, especially from Kolhapur district. The Mahayuti partners BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP, had feared an electoral loss if the land acquisition had been carried out. However, the government has revived it now.
National
LoP Rahul Gandhi, CM Fadnavis cross swords over Maha electoral rolls

New Delhi, June 24: Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday exchanged verbal blows on social media over alleged voter list manipulation ahead of last year’s Assembly elections.
While LoP Gandhi alleged illegal additions to the voter list in CM Fadnavis’ constituency and doubted the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) impartiality, the BJP leader mocked the Congress MP and accused him of “shooting in the dark” to cast doubt on the election which his party lost in a “humiliating manner”.
In his latest message on X, LoP Gandhi said, “In Maharashtra CM’s own constituency, the voter list grew by 8 per cent in just five months. Some booths saw a 20-50 per cent surge. Booth Level Officers reported unknown individuals casting votes. Media uncovered thousands of voters with no verified address. And the EC? Silent – or complicit. These aren’t isolated glitches. This is vote theft. The cover-up is the confession.”
Reiterating his demand for a relook at the voting footage, the Congress leader said, “That’s why we demand the immediate release of machine-readable digital voter rolls and CCTV footage.”
CM Fadnavis responded by posting on X, “I agree that your pain of the humiliating defeat in Maharashtra is increasing day by day. But when will you stop shooting in the dark?”
In a powerful rebuttal to LoP Gandhi’s allegations on a sudden surge in the number of voters in his Nagpur South-West constituency, CM Fadnavis said, “For your information, there are more than 25 constituencies in Maharashtra where more than 8 per cent voters have increased between Lok Sabha and Assembly elections and Congress has won in many places.”
Fadnavis said in his message on X, “In West Nagpur constituency which is adjacent to my South-West constituency, 7 per cent voters (27,065) increased and Congress candidate Vikas Thackeray won the election there.”
In North Nagpur, 7 per cent (29,348) voters increased and Congress candidate Nitin Raut won. In Pune district, in Vadgaon Sheri, 10 per cent (50,911) voters increased and Bapusaheb Pathare of the NCP Sharad Pawar faction won, said the CM.
Giving examples of an unprecedented surge in voter registration in other Assembly segments, CM Fadnavis said, “In Mumbra, 9 per cent (46,041) voters increased and Jitendra Awhad of the Sharad Pawar faction won. In Malad West, 11 per cent (38,625) voters increased and your Congress party’s Aslam Sheikh won.”
The Maharashtra CM also slammed LoP Gandhi for his unverified claims and advised him to maintain proper communication with, at least, his own party workers, if not Congress allies.
Crime
Major Twist In Baba Siddique Murder Case: Zeeshan Akhtar Was Recruited & Brainwashed By Bishnoi Gang Operative Akash Chauhan, Say Sources

Mumbai: In a major revelation in the high-profile murder case of NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) leader Baba Siddique, Mumbai Crime Branch sources have confirmed that Zeeshan Akhtar — currently detained in Canada — was not initially associated with the Bishnoi gang. He was allegedly recruited and brainwashed by Akash Chauhan, a key operative of the Bishnoi syndicate, at the behest of Anmol Bishnoi.
According to investigators, Zeeshan was previously affiliated with the rival Bambiha gang in Punjab and was considered a trusted hitman. Sources claim Akash Chauhan — currently lodged in Faridkot jail — played a crucial role in securing Zeeshan’s release from Jalandhar jail and persuaded him to join the Bishnoi gang with promises of lakhs in payment.
The turning point came after the Bishnoi syndicate decided to eliminate Baba Siddique. Acting on Anmol Bishnoi’s instructions from Patiala Jail, Akash Chauhan identified Zeeshan as a potential recruit. Chauhan then arranged for Zeeshan’s bail and, upon his release on June 7, Zeeshan met Chauhan directly.
It was during this meeting, sources said, that Zeeshan was convinced to take part in the murder plot. Under Chauhan’s instructions, Zeeshan recruited shooter Gurmel Singh and dispatched him to Mumbai. Zeeshan then contacted another wanted accused, Shubham Lonkar, to help orchestrate the plan.
Crime Branch officers are now preparing to designate Akash Chauhan as an accused in the case and initiate his transfer from Punjab to Mumbai for questioning. Officials confirmed that Chauhan has long-standing links with the Bishnoi syndicate and has played a role in several past contract killings.
Meanwhile, efforts to bring Zeeshan Akhtar back to India from Canada are actively underway, with Mumbai Crime Branch working closely with the CBI and international agencies. Investigators believe that Zeeshan’s interrogation could lead to more major revelations in the days to come.
-
Crime3 years ago
Class 10 student jumps to death in Jaipur
-
Maharashtra9 months ago
Mumbai Local Train Update: Central Railway’s New Timetable Comes Into Effect; Check Full List Of Revised Timings & Stations
-
Maharashtra8 months ago
Mumbai To Go Toll-Free Tonight! Maharashtra Govt Announces Complete Toll Waiver For Light Motor Vehicles At All 5 Entry Points Of City
-
Maharashtra9 months ago
False photo of Imtiaz Jaleel’s rally, exposing the fooling conspiracy
-
Crime8 months ago
Baba Siddique Murder: Mumbai Police Unable To Get Lawrence Bishnoi Custody Due To Home Ministry Order, Says Report
-
National News9 months ago
Ministry of Railways rolls out Special Drive 4.0 with focus on digitisation, cleanliness, inclusiveness and grievance redressal
-
Maharashtra7 months ago
Maharashtra Elections 2024: Mumbai Metro & BEST Services Extended Till Midnight On Voting Day
-
National News9 months ago
J&K: 4 Jawans Killed, 28 Injured After Bus Carrying BSF Personnel For Poll Duty Falls Into Gorge In Budgam; Terrifying Visuals Surface