New Delhi: AAP leader Atishi has sought a meeting of AAP MLAs with Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta to discuss the Rs 2,500 monthly aid to women promised by the ruling BJP earlier during the assembly poll campaign.

In a letter to Gupta on Saturday, Atishi questioned why a scheme on the financial aid to women was not approved in the new government’s first cabinet meeting when the prime minister had promised it in an election rally.

Gupta and her council of ministers were took oath of office on Thursday, following a victory over the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the assembly polls held earlier in the month.

AAP won 22 seats in the polls, Atishi’s Kalkaji constituency being one of them. The BJP was well clear of the majority mark in the 70-seat assembly with 48 seats.

Atishi, the chief minister in the previous AAP government, sought an appointment to meet the CM on February 23, along with her party MLAs.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an election rally in Dwarka on January 31 promised Delhi’s mothers and sisters that the scheme for Rs 2,500 monthly payment would be passed in the first cabinet meeting after the BJP formed the government.”

The first cabinet meeting of the BJP government was held on February 20 but the scheme was not passed, she said, adding that the women of Delhi who believed “Modi’s guarantee” are feeling “betrayed”.

BJP leaders, including the CM Gupta, have asserted that the scheme will be implemented from March as was promised by the party.

Mumbai: Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has instructed officials to draft a detailed policy for renewing lease agreements between sports clubs and the iconic Oval, Azad, and Cross Maidans. Alongside the lease renewals, he stressed the importance of upgrading basic infrastructure, including the construction of washrooms and changing rooms at each of these grounds.

Pawar chaired a high-level meeting at Mantralaya to discuss the lease renewal process with officials from the revenue, sports, public works (PWD), and urban development departments. The meeting was attended by Sports Minister Dattatray Bharne, Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare, Finance Department Additional Chief Secretary OP Gupta, and BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani.

Maharashtra Deputy CM On Promoting Sports

Reiterating the government’s commitment to promoting sports, Pawar stressed the importance of a well-structured policy that balances the interests of sports clubs and government regulations.

“Encouraging sports and supporting athletes is a priority for this government. All relevant departments must collaborate to frame a fair and comprehensive policy,” he stated.

The Oval, Azad, and Cross Maidans serve as crucial training grounds for thousands of athletes in Mumbai. Managed by the revenue department but leased to sports clubs through the sports department, these grounds host over sixty clubs that provide training facilities to aspiring players. As part of the infrastructure upgrade, Pawar instructed officials to ensure that new washrooms and changing rooms are strategically placed at the corners of the grounds so they do not interfere with sporting activities. He also reinforced that the playgrounds must remain dedicated to sports purposes only. Once finalised, the comprehensive lease renewal policy will be presented before the state cabinet for approval.

Mumbai: Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who appears increasingly frustrated with the administration under Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, made a veiled statement on Friday. Issuing a warning to his political opponents, Shinde said, “Do not take me lightly. Those who need to understand this message should do so.”

While Shinde’s comments are typically directed at the opposition, particularly the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), this time, his pointed remark has sparked speculation that his warning might be aimed at a different target. The statement has stirred political circles, leaving many to question: Who was Shinde really addressing?

The growing tension appears to stem from recent developments, including investigations ordered by CM Fadnavis into decisions made during Shinde’s tenure as Chief Minister.

Earlier in the week, he had dismissed any reports of internal strife within the Mahayuti alliance, saying, “There is no cold war; everything is thanda-thanda, cool-cool.” However, just a day later, reports surfaced that Fadnavis had initiated an inquiry into a Rs900 crore housing project in Jalna, approved by Shinde during his term as CM. Additionally, the BMC scrapped a Rs1,400 crore tender for a slum cleaning project that Shinde had backed last year.

At a public rally in Nagpur, Shinde’s anger was once again on display. Addressing the media, he declared, “I am a staunch Shiv Sainik of Balasaheb Thackeray and Anand Dighe, and I should be evaluated accordingly. Those who underestimated me saw what I did – I toppled the MVA government and established a double-engine government. We, as Mahayuti, had set a target of winning more than 200 seats, and we succeeded in securing 232. So, no one should take me lightly.”

Taking a swipe at Uddhav Thackeray, who recently referred to himself as a ‘tremor man’ following continued defections from his party, Shinde said, “Some people claim to be ‘tremor man,’ but the public already pushed them out during the last elections. Those who abandoned Balasaheb Thackeray’s ideology and expelled dedicated leaders from their party will face further rejection.”

He further emphasised his party’s growing influence, remarking, “People invest in shares that have market value, and my Shiv Sena has high market value.”

Concluding his speech, he reassured his supporters, “As long as you(people) stand with me, no force can challenge me.”