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Maharashtra

SC decision striking down suspension of 12 BJP MLAs historic: Fadnavis

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Calling the Maharashtra Assembly presiding officer Bhaskar Jadhav’s decision to suspend 12 BJP MLAs a conspiracy in July last year, leader of opposition Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said that the Maha Vikas Aghadi government should stop acting in an unconstitutional manner, in wake of the Supreme Court’s decision on Friday striking down the suspension.

Addressing a press conference in Goa, Fadnavis also said the Supreme Court’s decision was historic and would prevent abuse of legislative power in state assemblies purely based on the basis of numerical majority.

“The Court itself said that we do not want to encroach in your space, therefore correct the unconstitutional action and take them back. But, this arrogant government refused the opportunity and today, the SC has given a historic decision… Because of this decision, abuse of power will not be able to be meted out on the basis of a majority. This is a precedent laid down by the Supreme Court,” Fadnavis told reporters in Panaji.

The BJP leader is the party’s election in-charge for the February 14 Goa polls.

The former Chief Minister also said that the responsibility should now be fixed to ascertain as to who masterminded the expulsion of the MLAs, adding that such a decision could not be taken without sanction from the top leadership of the MVA government, including the Chief Minister.

“In reality, the decision is such that responsibility should be fixed on this government to find out who masterminded the conspiracy, who were those who told the house wrong stories, who were those who victimised these MLAs, needs to be found out. And those who did this, should unconditionally apologise to the residents of these 12 constituencies,” Fadnavis said.

“Even if it (resolution to expel) was taken by the Assembly, the decision is taken by the government. The resolution was brought forth by the treasury benches and it was passed with a majority. That is why I said the Chief Minister, deputy Chief Minister, Parliamentary Affairs Ministers, senior ministers and some persons outside the Assembly are also involved,” Fadnavis said.

Earlier on Friday, the apex Court struck down the suspension of 12 MLAs by the presiding officer Bhaskar Jadhav, over protests related to Other Backward Class reservation-related issues.

“In one way, in order to create an artificial majority, 12 members were suspended for one year. The apex court has ruled that the action was unconstitutional, illegal, irrational. The court has used strong words. In a way it is a slap in the face of the Maharashtra government and its unconstitutional act,” Fadnavis said.

Maharashtra

Mumbai: 3 Feared Dead After Ferry Travelling From Gateway Of India To Elephanta Island Capsizes

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Mumbai: In a shocking incident, a ferry which was travelling from Mumbai’s Gateway of India to Elephanta Island started sinking in the Arabian Sea on Wednesday. There are reports that around 30 passengers onboard the ferry when the incident occurred. Rescue operation is being carried and the passengers are being taken out from the sinking boat.

As per reports, the boat named Neelkamal was traveling with 30 to 35 passengers onboard. Currently, a rescue operation is underway by the defense forces. Neelkamal ferry boat was hit by the Pilot vessel at stern which led to the capsize of the boat. The incident occurred near Uran, Kunja.

As per reports, another speed boat which is said to be a patrolling boat collided with the ferry from behind due to which the ferry capsized. The collision led to the boat overturning, with around 50 passengers onboard. Rescue operations were immediately launched in coordination with the Navy, Coast Guard, and Marine Police.

A total of 15 boats have been deployed in the area, including 11 Navy boats, 3 Marine Police boats, and 1 Coast Guard boat. Additionally, four helicopters are actively conducting search and rescue (SAR) missions to locate and assist survivors. So far, 66 people have been rescued from the waters. Unfortunately, three casualties have been confirmed, with their bodies recovered. The exact number of missing persons and potential casualties remains uncertain as the rescue efforts continue.

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Maharashtra

Maha Congress: BJP trying to ‘murder’ Indian democratic system through EVMs, ONOE

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Nagpur (Maharashtra), Dec 17: Continuing to take potshots at the government, Maharashtra Congress President Nana F. Patole claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA is attempting to ‘murder’ the Indian democratic system through Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), here on Tuesday.

Speaking to the media, Patole said that the EVMs used in the Lok Sabha elections were not utilised for the Maharashtra Assembly elections, for which EVMs were allegedly brought here from Gujarat.

“There is a gross misuse of EVMs. BJP members are sitting on the board of directors of the companies manufacturing EVMs. The EVMs deployed during the Lok Sabha polls were not used for the state Assembly polls and for this, the EVMs were sent from Gujarat,” contended Patole.

He again slammed the Election Commission of India (ECI) for “failing to exercise its constitutional powers” and alleged that all its operations are conducted at the behest of the BJP, “thus revealing their (ECI’s) mindset” – though the government and ECI have rubbished all anti-EVM allegations.

Taking a swipe at the One Nation-One Election, Patole added that the BJP-RSS’ machinations to end the country’s democracy are evident by the ‘One Nation, No Election’ bill brought before Parliament on Tuesday.

Earlier, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) legislators continued their strong protests for the second day against EVMs, the plight of farmers, the custodial death of a Parbhani Dalit man Somnath Vyankat Suryawanshi in judicial custody, and the killing of a Beed Sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh.

The MVA legislators of Congress-Shiv Sena (UBT)-Nationalist Congress Party (SP) raised slogans and carried placards condemning the MahaYuti government, targeted the police for alleged atrocities in Parbhani and protecting the culprits in the Beed case, plus sought action against the officials concerned in both matters.

Amid the growing clamour from the Opposition, the Speaker said that the Parbhani matter would be taken up for discussion on Wednesday by the Assembly.

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Maharashtra

Rare bonhomie on display between Uddhav Thackeray and Devendra Fadnavis

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Nagpur, Dec 17: After a bitter fight and war of words during the recently held Assembly election, Shiv Sena-UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Vidahan Bhavan and congratulated him for MahaYuti’s victory.

Thackeray, who was accompanied by his son and former minister Aaditya Thackeray and party legislators, spent a few minutes in the CM’s chamber and gave him a bouquet wishing him his successful tenure. Both exchanged their views in a lighter atmosphere. A rare bonhomie between Thackeray and Fadnavis was on display.

“I wished Fadnavis for taking over as the chief minister and also congratulated him for MahaYuti’s victory in the state Assembly. There is a rich tradition in Maharashtra for a healthy dialogue between the ruling and opposition party leaders. I also wished him under his chief ministership Maharashtra will further progress,” said Thackeray.

Thackeray also met the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar and congratulated for his election as the Speaker.

The Shiv Sena-UBT chief has clarified that there was nothing political about his meeting with the chief minister.

Ahead of the Assembly election, Thackeray had slammed Fadnavis, likening him to an “insignificant dhekun (bed bug)” and stressing on the need “to get rid of it”. In another public meeting, Uddhav called him “tarbuz (watermelon)” that “should be dumped in potholes”.

Fadnavis hit back saying that something had affected Uddhav Thackeray’s health and he should get well soon.

Thackeray had recently targeted Fadnavis saying “Either you will remain, or I will.” However, after taking over the CM’s charge on December 5, Fadnavis downplayed Thackeray’s statement and said, “Both are in politics.”

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