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Maharashtra

Sachin Ahir quits SS(UBT), cites ‘unavoidable circumstances’ for his resignation

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Mumbai, June 30: Immediately after filing his nomination papers for the post of Maharashtra Legislative Council Deputy Chairperson, ‘rebel’ legislator Sachin Ahir sent his official resignation letter to Uddhav Thackeray, stepping down from all key responsibilities within the Shiv Sena (UBT), including his leadership roles in influential labour unions.

In his letter, Ahir, who defected and shifted his loyalty to Shiv Sena chief leader and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, cited “unavoidable circumstances” for his sudden departure.

“I am writing to respectfully inform you that I, Sachin Ahir, am currently serving as the General Secretary of the Bharatiya Kamgar Sena and the President of the Brihanmumbai BEST Kamgar Sena. I am deeply grateful to you and the party for the trust you reposed in me and for providing me the opportunity to work in these capacities. However, due to certain unavoidable circumstances, I am resigning from my posts in the Bharatiya Kamgar Sena and the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) party,” said Ahir.

He further added, “I humbly request you to accept my resignation. I pray that the trust and affection you have always shown toward me remain unchanged. My best wishes will always be there for the bright future of the party.”

Ahir’s exit robs the Thackeray faction of a vital face in Mumbai’s urban politics and trade union leadership. As the head of the BEST labour union and a key figure in the Bharatiya Kamgar Sena, Ahir held immense sway over Mumbai’s working-class vote bank.

Insiders suggest that shifting ground realities within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition made future prospects look bleak for Ahir under the UBT banner, prompting his switch to the ruling alliance to secure his political future. Ahir’s move is being seen as a crushing blow to Shiv Sena(UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and his son Aaditya Thackeray, given that Ahir was considered a shadow-like confidant to Aaditya.

Until Tuesday morning, intense speculation was underway within the ruling Mahayuti alliance regarding who the Shinde-led Shiv Sena would field for the Deputy Chairman position.

However, the political landscape shifted dramatically when visuals emerged of Sachin Ahir filing his nomination form. The high-profile filing took place in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Dy CM Eknath Shinde, former Deputy Chairperson Neelam Gorhe, and State Minister Chandrakant Patil.

Shiv Sena minister and spokesperson Sanjay Shirsat clarified that this was not merely a tactical crossover for an election, but a formal induction into the party. “Sachin Ahir has not just changed sides; he has officially entered the Shiv Sena,” he announced.

Sachin Ahir, early this morning, contacted Aaditya Thackeray and explained his stance regarding leaving the party.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Ambadas Danve told reporters, “Sachin Ahir messaged me in English at 11:30 a.m. today saying that he was making some decisions to protect his political existence. We were together until last night and left this place together. We will have to see why he took such a decision. Worli belongs to the Shiv Sena; Sunil Shinde became an MLA only after defeating Sachin Ahir. Under such circumstances, his departure won’t make any difference. UBT has filed the nomination of J.M. Abhyankar for the post of Deputy Chairperson,” he stated.

Political analysts view this as the second phase of Dy CM Shinde’s strategy to dismantle the Thackeray faction’s base. This move follows closely on the heels of Dy CM Shinde successfully poaching six Lok Sabha MPs from the Thackeray camp, an offensive dubbed Operation Tiger. Ironically, this latest blow lands just as Uddhav Thackeray wrapped up a regional tour intended to consolidate his base against those rebel MPs.

Meanwhile, Senior BJP leader and State Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule launched a blistering attack on Uddhav Thackeray, attributing the collapse of his faction to internal arrogance. “Uddhav Thackeray’s party has decayed solely because of his arrogant language. He and his people need to shed this ego,” Bawankule told reporters.

Responding to allegations of poaching, Bawankule explicitly distanced the BJP from the strategy. “The Bharatiya Janata Party has absolutely nothing to do with this operation. Eknath Shinde is expanding his own party, and Uddhav Thackeray needs to learn how to manage his own people instead of blaming others.”

Bawankule also took a sharp swipe at Thackeray’s chief spokesperson, Sanjay Raut, blaming the camp’s daily morning press conferences for shifting focus away from actual party management.

“They are only interested in hogging media space every morning. Nobody actually cares about holding the party together. Their core ideology has been sold out, and these defections are the direct consequence of that,” he added.

As Uddhav Thackeray travels across the state rallying support through his ‘Operation Tiger’ campaign, Shinde’s counter-strike right inside the Thackeray bastion of Worli has fundamentally altered the political calculus ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.

Maharashtra

‘Save the Vote, Save the Nation’: Rahul Gandhi urges people to join INDIA bloc’s ‘Chalo Dilli’ march

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Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Sunday urged people to join the INDIA bloc’s ‘Chalo Dilli’ march in the national capital, calling for public participation in the protest against alleged electoral irregularities and demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.

In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi appealed to people to gather at Connaught Place and march together towards Ramlila Maidan, where the opposition alliance is organising a major rally.

“Delhi, get ready! Save the Vote, Save the Nation. Come to Connaught Place, let’s march together. Or meet directly at Ramlila Maidan – but you must come. Today | 12 PM,” he posted.

The INDIA bloc has expressed optimism about public participation in the rally, asserting that the protest would witness “historic participation” extending beyond party workers.

Earlier in the day, while speaking to media, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut described the gathering as a “mega rally” and said the opposition would continue its agitation until the Chief Election Commissioner stepped down.

“They (the government) may be under the assumption that the agitation has ended, but we won’t let them go until Gyanesh Kumar resigns,” he asserted.

Raut also reiterated Rahul Gandhi’s allegation that people were being stopped from participating in the rally.

The INDIA bloc is organising the large-scale gathering at Ramlila Maidan to protest alleged electoral irregularities, oppose the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and demand the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.

The opposition alliance expects a major show of strength, as leaders from constituent parties, workers, and student groups have started to gather at the venue. The protest comes amid allegations by opposition parties of irregularities in the voter list revision process being undertaken by the Election Commission of India (ECI).

Meanwhile, extensive security arrangements have been put in place across New Delhi and Central Delhi ahead of the rally. Additional personnel from the Rapid Action Force (RAF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), along with Delhi Police personnel, have been deployed around Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Marg.

Delhi Police have also tightened security across the national capital. Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) is in force across Delhi districts, and gatherings have been prohibited at key locations, including Jantar Mantar and the Election Commission office.

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Bollywood

Tiger Shroff firing case: 12th accused sent to police custody till Nov 6

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A Mumbai court on Saturday sent Amar, the 12th accused arrested from Haryana’s Sonipat in connection with the firing incident on Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff, to police custody till November 6.

On Thursday, a special Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) court had sent 11 other accused arrested in connection with the firing on Shroff’s car to police custody till November 6.

The latest accused was arrested from Rohna village in Sonipat.

Earlier in the day, the Mumbai Police had produced Amar before a court, which sent him to police custody until November 6.

According to officials, Amar is accused of having transferred money, allegedly used in the commission of the crime, online. The funds were reportedly used for various expenses, including the purchase of a motorcycle and booking hotel rooms linked to the case.

According to the preliminary investigation, Amar is a friend and neighbour of Kunal, who was arrested earlier in the case. Police investigations have revealed that Kunal allegedly transferred Rs 40,000 to Amar’s bank account.

Amar subsequently transferred Rs 12,000 to Radha’s bank account, another accused arrested earlier, allegedly on Kunal’s instructions.

The Mumbai Police are investigating these financial transactions to establish the purpose of the transfers and determine the connections between the accused. The money trail is being examined as part of the wider investigation into the firing incident.

Amar, who studied up to Class 10, works at a supplements shop. His parents reportedly earn their livelihood through daily-wage labour.

Meanwhile, Amar’s family has claimed that he is innocent and alleged that he has been falsely implicated in the case.

With nine of the 12 arrested accused reportedly belonging to Sonipat, the district has emerged as a key focus of the Mumbai Police investigation.

The police are examining the financial dealings and personal connections among the accused to establish the sequence of events and identify the roles played by individual suspects.

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Maharashtra

36-year-old absconding accused arrested from Gujarat in Mumbai non-bailable warrant

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Mumbai: The Mumbai Crime Branch has claimed the arrest of a wanted suspect, against whom a non-bailable warrant had been issued by the court in connection with a theft case. The 29-year-old complainant was en route to deliver diamonds, gold jewelry, and cash from his shop when, in front of the main entrance of the Panchratna Building, four unidentified individuals—acting in conspiracy—threatened him with a revolver and a knife. They injured him and forcibly stole the diamonds, jewelry, and cash, valued at approximately 2,048,964 rupees. A case was subsequently registered at the D.B. Marg Police Station. Following further investigation by Crime Branch Unit 2, a charge sheet was filed in court. The 59-year-old suspect involved in this crime had repeatedly failed to appear in court during the proceedings, leading to the issuance of a non-bailable warrant against him. The Crime Branch carried out this operation to execute the said warrant.

Acting on direct intelligence and technical analysis, the police team tracked down the 59-year-old suspect—who was a wanted individual subject to a non-bailable warrant—and took him into custody on October 30th in Gaonpur, Vadodara district, Gujarat. This operation was conducted under the directives of Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti, with the involvement of Joint Police Commissioner Anil Kumbhare, Additional Commissioner Krishna Kant Upadhyay, and DCP Raj Tilak Roshan.

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