Maharashtra
Two years of MVA: No downfall, Humpty-Dumpty sits firmly on the wall
Last week, Shiv Sena MP, the outspoken Sanjay Raut contemptuously dismissed yet another statement by Bharatiya Janata Party state President Chandrakant Patil predicting the downfall of the 2-year-old Maha Vikas Aghadi government, saying he has said it “at least 28 times before.”
Another senior Sena leader, Dr Raghunath Kuchik – accorded MoS status – said all the BJP leaders are crying over spilt milk, how “the Sena betrayed BJP” at least five times daily – or over 3,500 times in the past two years after the MVA government with Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray took office on November 28, 2019.
“This must be some sort of a world-record… In May 1996, the late PM Atal Behari Vajpayee said – in a dignified manner – how he felt disappointed only once and gave up office, but never uttered it again,” Kuchik pointed out.
A couple of days ago, when Union MSME Minister Narayan Rane acted soothsayer claiming the BJP will form the government in March, the usually stern Nationalist Congress Party state President and Minister Jayant Patil broke into a grin and asked why “such a long time-limit”.
Congress state President Nana Patole reacted sarcastically saying how “the BJP’s never-ending forecasts of the MVA fall are perpetually proving wrong.”
As the MVA celebrates its second anniversary on November 28 it is conscious of the hawkish Opposition counting the days, weeks or months for the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress government’s collapse.
For, the Opposition is not limited to the belligerent BJP in the state and Centre alone — there’s a motley collection of various central agencies, several Bollywood personalities, some industrialists, a few social influencers and even the friendly neighbourhood Raj Bhavan with which there have been infrequent ‘letter wars’ – not exactly the soulful ingredients for a smooth sail!
Barely had the MVA emerged unscathed from the ghost of the late actor Sushant Singh Rajput on its first birthday last November (2020), it was haunted by others in the form of the abandoned SUV with 20 gelatin sticks and a threat note near the home of industrialist Mukesh Ambani in February, followed by the murder of the vehicle owner Mansukh Hiran.
This kicked off a series of political developments that rocked the 3-party government, the unceremonious transfer of the then Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh, his letter bomb hurling allegations of extortion against the then home minister Anil Deshmukh, who was forced to quit and was nabbed by the Enforcement Directorate, and now Singh himself facing corruption charges.
Besides Deshmukh, minister Sanjay Rathod forfeited his post. At least another half-a-dozen Sena-NCP ministers or senior leaders like Hasan Mushrif, Anil Parab, Eknath Khadse, MP Bhavana Gawli, ex-MP Anandrao Adsul, Sanjay Raut’s kin and the family of Deputy CM Ajit Pawar are under the scanner of the central agencies, plus a dozen more ‘potential’ future targets, as BJP leaders watch gleefully.
Despite the “betrayal, downfall” cacophony all around, Thackeray continued to make waves with his handling of the Covid-19 situation, the state earned laurels from the Centre and abroad, it continued to attract investments and — despite occasional hiccups – the 3-partners maintained camaraderie.
At one point, a bemused Thackeray shot back at the BJP, saying “the MVA will not only complete five years, but is here to stay for 25 years”.
NCP’s Malik further rattled the Opposition saying that many of the erstwhile defectors from the Sena-NCP-Congress to the BJP would make a ‘ghar-wapsi’ and return to the parental fold soon.
After the Narcotics Control Bureau’s raids on the Cordelia cruise ship on October 2, Malik became the face of the MVA’s blitzkrieg against the central agencies with his sting(ing) operations against the NCB Zonal Director Sameer Wankhede.
As the luxury ship swoop practically lost credibility, Wankhede came under pressure with Malik’s exposes on his alleged fake caste certificate and other fraudulent documents, and the Bombay High Court also frowning at the raids and the NCB’s intentions. It also said the Minister’s charges were not ‘totally false’.
The MVA struggles on other fronts too, like the pending GST dues from the Centre, the elusive promised aid for natural calamities that befell the state in the past two years, the Kanjurmarg land for the Mumbai Metro car shed.
After straddling multiple crises over the past 24 months, another Big Test is coming up in early 2022 for both the MVA and the BJP — the elections to some big civic bodies like Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Vasai-Virar, Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Nashik, Aurangabad, Solapur, Amravati and Nagpur.
Though the Sena-NCP are firm on a pre-poll alliance, the Congress state and Mumbai leaders keep thumping chests like Tarzan and sing the ‘Ekla Chalo’ (Go Alone) tune, dismaying the other two allies but sounding sweet music to the BJP.
Senior ruling alliance leaders are aware that these are rough times calling for tough decisions to prevent a mass exodus or even a rebellion in their ranks — as witnessed recently in Panvel with many Congressmen joining the NCP — particularly with the BJP fox lurking menacingly around the MVA flock.
Perturbed by its unsuccessful toppling games, the BJP is vying for big wins in the civic polls to re-sharpen its sword to eject what it calls the ‘Maha Vinaash Aghadi’ regime, though privately many leaders admit it’s a futile exercise.
Maharashtra
Mumbai: Ritu Tawde’s emergency visit during heavy rains, instructs administration to take safety measures including draining drains

Mumbai: In the backdrop of continuous heavy rains in Mumbai, Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde today (July 3, 2026) conducted a self-inspection of various areas of Ward No. 132 (Ghatkopar East). The Mayor, along with the administrative officials, inspected various places and gave necessary instructions so that the citizens do not face any kind of trouble due to heavy rains and appropriate measures should be taken immediately for this.
Local MLA Prag Shah, Corporator Dharmesh Giri and concerned officers and engineers of the N Division Office of the Municipal Corporation were present during the inspection.
Mayor Ritu Tawde paid special attention to the rapid drainage of rainwater in the low-lying and very low-lying areas of Ghatkopar East. During today’s visit, she gave the following important instructions and directions.
Orders were given to construct new drains for water drainage outside all the buildings and to install concrete covers on the manholes as part of the redevelopment in the entire constituency. He said that the construction of a new drain outside the Ruparel building near Sankalp Sewa should be started immediately. New pipes will be made to drain the water accumulated outside the buildings. Mayor Ritu Tawde also directed to install a dhapa cover on the footpath of Vidya Bhavan Road, Bhajan Samaj Marg (opposite Gurudwara Palace). The Mayor said that a new rainwater drain should be installed near Dr. Hedgewar Udayan, so that the rainwater flowing from the road is stopped and flows directly into the storm drain. He directed to install nets and covers on the pipes along the footpath at various places on Pushpa Vihar Marg.
A new manhole should be constructed at the entrance of Pragati Chili and a safe cover should be installed. Besides, safety railings should be installed on both sides of the drain behind Pragati Chili. Apart from this, Mayor Ritu Tawde directed to make a safe path for citizens to cross the drain and go to the toilet and to install safety railings on it.
Meanwhile, to avoid congestion due to parking on both sides of Nath Pai Road, he directed the Traffic Police Department to enforce ‘no parking’ here and provide safe ‘crossing’ for pedestrians under the Metro Flyover. The Mayor directed the Parks Department to plan to develop a beautiful garden on private land at the Garodia Nagar Federation site through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds. He also directed to keep the roots of trees clean so that the trees are not damaged due to road works. Along with this, the Mayor directed the concerned department to start the dog vaccination and disinfection campaign as soon as possible to control the problem of dogs.
During the monsoon season, the safety and convenience of citizens is the top priority of the Municipal Corporation. The ward I represent has many low-lying areas. Mayor Ritu Tawde said that the local administration is working with full capacity to ensure quick drainage of rainwater and the infrastructure works are of good quality. Mayor Ritu Tawde, MLA Prag Shah, Corporator Dharmesh Giri and other public representatives, as well as officers and employees, were inspecting the roads in heavy rain. The local citizens welcomed the inspection. The citizens expressed hope that all the directed works will be completed soon.
Maharashtra
Mumbai sea water to be made potable… Azmi seeks clarification in the House regarding this major project.

Mumbai: During the monsoon session of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, there was a heated debate on the proposed Manori desalination project (a project to make seawater drinkable) to address Mumbai’s water shortage. Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Asim Azmi raised several important public questions in the House. Regarding the project, which is being built at an estimated cost of ₹ 4,077 crore, Abu Asim Azmi asked the government when the actual work on the project would begin and whether it would be completed within the stipulated time (48 months). He also sought clarification on the operation and maintenance costs of the project and its impact on the water bills of Mumbai residents. Industries Minister Uday Samant, while answering these important questions in the House, provided information about the current status of the project.
Maharashtra
Abu Asim demands the establishment of a new police station in the Maharashtra Assembly, alongside measures to crack down on drugs and curb crime.

Mumbai: Today, in the Maharashtra Assembly, MLA Abu Asim Azmi raised the issue of law and order and public safety in the state with great seriousness during the session. While participating in the proceedings of the House, MLA Abu Asim Azmi prominently raised the issue of the growing illegal drug trade and the resulting increase in serious crimes in his constituency. He informed the House that drug addiction is not only destroying the younger generation but it has also led to an unprecedented increase in theft, snatching and other crimes, which is creating an atmosphere of insecurity among the local residents.
Terming public safety as the most important, the MLA drew the government’s attention to the imbalance between the existing police system and the population of the area. He said that the population of the region has increased rapidly in recent years, but the police force and resources have not increased in proportion. He urged the government to take immediate action to strengthen the security and safety of lives and property. He demanded that additional police contingents be deployed in the area to deal with the current challenges and increase patrols. He also demanded that new police stations be established keeping in mind the population density and geographical spread, so that the police can respond quickly in emergencies.
Speaking in the House, the MLA clearly stated that he had seriously raised the issue of drug use and the resulting increase in crime in the Assembly today. He further demanded that the government increase the police force keeping in mind the safety of the people and establish new police stations as per the population.
Other members of the House also agreed on this sensitive issue. Considering the seriousness of the issue, the government assured that strict steps are being taken to dismantle the drug network and police stations will be reviewed on the basis of the new population scale to strengthen law and order.
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