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
Focus where the power is, victory will be ours…In the elections, Member of Parliament Dr. Shrikant Shinde gave the workers a mantra of victory

Mumbai: In the upcoming Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections, focus with full force where the organization is strong. Plan at the micro level, appoint booth coordinators and strengthen the election preparations. If we work in an organized and strategic manner, victory will be ours. This message was given by Shiv Sena Parliamentary Party leader and Parliament Ratna MP Dr. Shrikant Shinde to the workers and office bearers. MP Dr. Shrikant Shinde’s two-day Shiv Samavad tour began today from Nandarbar in Khandesh. During this, he reviewed various assembly constituencies of the district in meetings held in Nandarbar and Taloda. Addressing the meeting, he guided the workers regarding the preparations and organization for the upcoming elections. Minister Dada Bhose, MLA Amsha Padvi, MLA Chandrakant Raghuvanshi, MLA Rajendra Gavit, Shiv Sena state unit chief and former MP Anand Paranjape, Shiv Sena secretary Bhausaheb Choudhary, Shiv Sena Nandarbar Lok Sabha liaison chief and former MLA Shreesh Choudhary and other important officials were present on the occasion. MP Dr. Shrikant Shinde reviewed the Shahada and Akkalkuwa assembly constituencies in Taloda this morning. In this meeting, he directed the officials to effectively conduct the voter list revision campaign, appoint BLAs and appoint a coordinator at each of the 20 polling stations. He said that the appointment of coordinators will enable regular review of each booth. If work is done systematically at the booth level, the organization will be strong and the chances of winning the elections will also increase. MP Dr. Shinde further said that what happened in the previous elections should be left behind. All the workers and office bearers should work unitedly thinking about how to increase the strength of Shiv Sena in the Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti areas. He said that there will be no alliance in the upcoming elections, the party leadership will decide on this, but the workers should work with attention at each booth. If we work with full effort and dedication, victory will be ours.
Dr. Shinde said that the strength of Shiv Sena in Nandurbar district is continuously increasing. A large section has been formed in the state that respects Shinde sahib’s leadership. As the Chief Minister, Shinde sahib implemented many welfare schemes of public interest, which the voters are aware of. This is the reason why Shiv Sena has got good public support and success in the Nagar Parishad and Municipal Corporation elections.
In the second meeting held in Nandurbar city, MP Dr. Shrikant Shinde reviewed Nandurbar and Nawapur assembly constituencies. On this occasion, he said that Shinde sahib has done a lot for the common people through the “Shaan Aap Ke Darwaza” campaign. The people’s trust in his leadership is constantly increasing. This is why leaders and workers of other political parties are also eager to join Shiv Sena. MLA Dr. Shinde urged the workers to strengthen the organization and asked them to work with full loyalty and increase the strength of the party. He said that the election symbol of Shiv Sena ‘Dhanush Ban’ should reach every area. The party leadership is committed to strengthening the workers and providing them all possible support. On this occasion, MLA Chandrakant Raghuvanshi said that Shiv Sena has a good hold in Akkalkuwa and Dhargaon talukas, while special efforts are needed to further strengthen the organization in Taloda and Shahada talukas. He expressed confidence that Shiv Sena will hoist the saffron flag in the upcoming Nandarbar Zilla Parishad elections. MLA Raghuvanshi also demanded that party office bearers and corporators be given more organizational powers and responsibilities. MLA Amsha Padvi and former MLA Shreesh Chaudhary also expressed their views in the meeting.
Shinde sahib’s eye on every taluka and assembly constituency
The Shiv Sena chief and Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra pays special attention to every taluka and assembly constituency. This is why party leaders are constantly touring even in the scorching heat of 45 degrees. This was said by Shiv Sena Parliamentary Party leader and MP Dr. Srikant Shinde.
He said that there is no election yet, yet Shiv Sena leaders are going from village to village to meet workers and working to strengthen the organization. Dr. Shinde said that under the leadership of Shinde sahib, there has been a big change in the way Shiv Sena works. Earlier, leaders used to go on tours, give speeches and leave, but now it is not like that. He said that now it is not just speeches but the leader himself goes to the field and works and establishes a direct dialogue with the workers. Dr. Shinde said that in the last two years, he has visited Nandarbar district four times, which shows the seriousness of the party leadership towards the organization.
Maharashtra
Mayor Ritu Tawde appeals to citizens to make Mumbai green and vibrant, takes initiative for tree plantation, participates in tree plantation at various places

Mumbai: Every citizen should voluntarily participate in the central government’s ‘Ek Vresh Ai Che Nave’ (One Tree for Mother) campaign. They should take a pledge to plant and nurture at least one tree in a public place. The Municipal Corporation will provide the necessary saplings, soil and other facilities for this initiative. In the backdrop of increasing urbanization, creating more and more green and lush areas in Mumbai is the need of the hour. Trees are the pillars of ecological balance and a Mumbai adorned with greenery will be a priceless gift for the coming generations. Therefore, Mumbai Mayor Smt. Ritu Tawde appealed to everyone to take the initiative to make Mumbai tree-filled, clean and beautiful. On the occasion of World Environment Day, an initiative to plant about 17,047 trees was launched today (June 5, 2026) morning under the patronage of Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde. This includes places like Vashi Zakat Naka, near Maurya Lake in Mulund (East) on the Eastern Express Highway, near Bhandup Udanchan Kendra in Nahor (East), Kanjarmarg Launch Pad, near Kesorena Housing Society in Ghatkopar (East) and Chittaranjan Maidan in Ghatkopar (East). Mayor Mrs. Tawde highlighted that this is a major step towards making Mumbai greener, more eco-friendly and sustainable. The tree plantation drive was launched by the Mayor in the morning. Ritu Tawde in the Vashi Naka area, one of the major entry points of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. This was followed by an ambitious initiative by the Mayor to plant 1000 trees on both sides of the Eastern Expressway between Malind and Ghatkopar. Under this, a special initiative was taken to plant yellow river trees in the boundaries of the three wards N, S and T along the Eastern Expressway between Pantnagar and Malind. This initiative will help make the Eastern Expressway area more attractive, natural and eco-friendly in the coming days.
In addition, the Mayor also launched a comprehensive campaign to plant 16,000 trees on the Kanjurmarg land. Mayor Tawde expressed confidence that these tree plantation activities at various locations will significantly increase the green cover of Mumbai and strengthen environmental protection.
The tree plantation drive held at various locations was attended by the President of the Ward Committee of M-East Division, Ms. Khairunnisa Akbar Hussain, Local Corporator Zameer Qureshi, Local Corporator Dinesh Panchal, Local Corporator Roshan Sheikh, Local Corporator Shabana Qazi, Executive Engineer of M-East Division and Assistant Commissioner (Additional Charge) Mr. Bhaskar Kasgakar, Assistant Commissioner of TD Vision, STM were also present. Yogita Kolhe, Assistant Commissioner of S Division and Assistant Commissioner (Additional Charge) Mayur Bhamre, Assistant Commissioner of N Division Maruti Pawar, Deputy Superintendent of Gardens Sunil Rathod, Assistant Superintendent of Gardens Harshikesh Hendry along with concerned officers, citizens, NGOs, environmental workers were present.
Maharashtra
Mumbai 9 DCPs transferred, Smita Patil transferred to Port Zone

Mumbai: After a massive transfer in Maharashtra Police, the Home Ministry has today issued transfer orders of 9 DCPs. DCPATS Dinesh Giri Dharbari has been transferred to Pune Crime Branch SP, Yashwant Salwanke Additional SP to DCP Amrautti, Sandeep Jadhav to State Control Room, Shashikant Devaraj to Mirabhayander DCP, Smita Bheeshek Patil to DCP Port Zone from Security Corporation, Matish Ghati to DCP Mumbai City from Mumbai Force One, Vaishali Mane Bhayander has been cancelled and restored to her post. In Mumbai too, the transfer of several DCPs has been cancelled and they have been retained in Mumbai. Along with this, the process of transfers of IPS officers is going on across the state.
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