Connect with us
Monday,27-July-2026
Breaking News

Maharashtra

Thackeray-Shinde groups’ tug-of-war for Shiv Sena Dassehra Rally at Shivaji Park

Published

on

The historic Shivaji Park ground here has become the new bone of contention between the two rival Shiv Sena factions, both clamouring to hold the annual calendar event, the Dassehra Rally.

The Shiv Sena President and ex-Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray is facing competition from the rebel faction led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and even the Raj Thacekray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena is toying with the idea of a rally at the Shivaji Park.

The annual mega-rally held on Vijaya Dashami or Dassehra Day each year is expected to be a litmus test on the Shiv Sena and the Shinde Group’s claims that it is the ‘real Shiv Sena’.

Both the factions have applied to the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for permission to hold the public rally there on October 5.

Rajya Sabha MP Anil Desai, close to Thackeray has sought permission on behalf of the Shiv Sena, while Dadar MLA Sada Sarvankar has submitted an application on behalf of the Shinde Group.

When asked about it, CM Shinde skirted a direct reply and said: “There is still time now… We are now celebrating Ganeshotsav and Anant Chaturdashi, then Navratri and Dassehra will come… How can I predict everything now? You will come to know in some more time.”

Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar said while anybody has the right to hold their rally at Shivaji Park, he urged Shinde “to avoid a confrontationist approach” with the Opposition.

Shiv Sena’s fomer mayor Kishori Pednekar slammed the turncoats, claiming they are apparently suffering from a ‘Ghajini-syndrome’ – referring to the 2008 blockbuster starring Aamir Khan in which he suffers a rare type of amnesia.

“They are trying to erase history. They have forgotten it is the Shiv Sena which started the tradition and has been holding the annual Dassehra rallies at Shivaji Park from 1966. They are attempting to fuel a law-and-order situation,” said Pednekar agitatedly.

Hoping to cash in on the sentiments, MNS Spokesperson Sandip Deshpande said on Saturday that many party activists want Raj Thackeray to address the rally this year, but said the final call would come only from the party chieftain.

NCP’s Leader of Opposition Ajit Pawar said since they (Shinde Group) have power, they will try everything to get the Shivaji Park for their rally, and it is possible both (Thackeray and Shinde) may be allotted the venue for back-to-back rallies.

Shiv Sena’s Spokesperson Dr. Manisha Kayande, senior leader Ambadas Danve and others have slammed the Shinde Group for attempting to hijack the traditions initiated by the late Balasaheb Thaceray.

Founding the Shiv Sena on June 19, 1966, Balasaheb Thackeray had held his maiden Dassehra Rally at Shivaji Park – also known as the ‘Cradle of Indian Cricket’ – and since then it became his signature event.

Since the past 55 years, it has remained an unbroken tradition – except twice, in 2006 owing to torrential rains and in 2009 as it clashed with the Assembly elections – and a ‘must attend’ for all Shiv Sainiks in the state.

After Balasaheb Thackeray passed away on November 17, 2012, he was accorded a public funeral with his last rites performed in a corner of his favourite venue with several lakhs in attendance.

In 2020, the Dassehra rally was held online and in 2021, it was at the Shanmukhananda Hall, addressed by the former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray owing to the coronavirus pandemic restrictions, but this time he has cracked the whip on the Shiv Sena to make full preparations at Shivaji Park — a stone’s throw away from Sena Bhavan, the party landmark headquarters since 1977.

Maharashtra

Work on Panjrapur pumping station begins, 15% water supply cut likely in some western and eastern suburbs of the city

Published

on

Mumbai: The Hydraulic Engineering Department of Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is undertaking a major project to replace the existing 6.6 kV High Tension (HT) Control Panels at Mumbai-3A Pumping Station in Panjrapur. As a result, water supply from Panjrapur to Bhandup Water Treatment Plant will remain suspended for a period of 20 hours i.e. from 9:00 AM on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 to 5:00 AM on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. As a result, water supply may be reduced by 15% in some parts and sub-parts of the city. The Eastern Suburbs Municipal Corporation administration humbly requests the citizens to take notice of this and extend their cooperation. The project involves replacing the 6.6 kV HT Control Panels at Mumbai-3A Pumping Station in Panjrapur. Under this initiative, 10 existing old HT Control Panels will be replaced with 10 new, modern, and efficient HT Control Panels. In the first phase, 4 out of a total of 10 HT control panels will be replaced. The work is to be carried out from 9:00 AM on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 to 5:00 AM on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. In order to carry out the work safely and in an orderly manner, it is necessary to shut down the ‘Mumbai 3A Pumping Station’ for about 20 hours. As a result, water supply from Panjrapur to Bhandup Water Treatment Plant will remain suspended for this 20-hour period i.e. from 9:00 AM on July 28, 2026 to 5:00 AM on July 29, 2026. This may result in a 15% reduction in water supply across the city and water supply may be reduced in some areas. The Suburbs Municipal Corporation administration strongly appeals to the citizens to take notice of this and cooperate.

Continue Reading

Maharashtra

Mumbai: Criminal arrested with a pistol and cartridges from Kala Chowki

Published

on

Mumbai: During an operation within the limits of Kala Chowki police station in Mumbai, the police have claimed to have arrested a 32-year-old criminal named Arif Mohammad Aslam Sheikh. The police have also recovered a pistol and 6 live cartridges from his possession. Mohammad Aslam Sheikh has 8 cases of assault registered against him, along with one case registered in Bandra and Sahar police stations. The accused had also been expelled from the city twice. This operation was carried out on the instructions of Mumbai Police Commissioner Devin Bharti, Joint Police Commissioner Manoj Kumar Sharma and DCP Anurag Jain.

Continue Reading

Maharashtra

Conspiracy to create unrest in Cockroach Janata Party protest exposed, Maharashtra Cyber ​​operation: More than 500 accounts involved in misguidance

Published

on

Mumbai: The Maharashtra Cyber ​​Cell has exposed the conspiracy of the Cockroach Janata Party to create violence and nationwide unrest during the protests and identified 500 such handles that were active and active from outside the country. The Pakistani conspiracy has also been exposed in this. The Cyber ​​Cell has taken action in the matter of spreading false information, misinformation campaigns and malicious content on social media during the protests. In this, 500 such accounts have been identified and closed after being closed. These accounts were active in adversely affecting national security and social harmony in the country. In view of the nationwide protests related to the Cockroach Janata Party CJP, Maharashtra Cyber ​​has identified such accounts during an operation. Their data was studied and such videos that were created using AI and other methods were found in the examination of deep fake videos. This includes an attempt to spread unrest among the public and affecting national security. Anti-social elements were spreading misleading propaganda through such accounts on social media. During the monitoring, 429 accounts and objectionable content were removed from social media, along with other sources including X, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, which had misleading content. About 100 accounts were also found that were posting misleading content with the help of AI. This includes more than 140 posts and profiles that were created with artificial AI. This has been confirmed by SP Ajay Kumar Bansal. He said that misleading posts and videos are still viral on social media, in which case the police are taking further action.

Continue Reading

Trending