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Maharashtra

YEAREND INTERVIEW: Cong seats won’t grow like Rahul’s beard: Ramdas Athawale

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With the nation set to go to the polls in 2024, political parties have already started preparing for the all-important Lok Sabha elections.

While the Congress is covering the length and breadth of the country with its ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’, the BJP too is in action mode to ensure painting the nation with saffron colour for the third successive term.

Speaking exclusively with IANS, Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Ramdas Athawale, claimed that the BJP will will win 350 seats in 2024, while the NDA’s tally will touch the 400-mark.

Also targeting Rahul Gandhi and his Bharat Jodo Yatra, the President of the Republican Party of India said that he (Rahul Gandhi) might have grown his beard, but that won’t help the Congress grow the number of seats in 2024, as the Yatra will make no difference.

Here are excerpts from the interview:

Q: The year 2022 is nearing its end. How did the year go for your ministry? What were the achievements?

A: This year, we introduced many policies for the SC, OBC and De-notified Tribes (DNTs). We also introduced policies under the Accessible India Campaign or Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan, which is a programme for the differently-able community of the country.

Similarly, we have pension policies for the elderly. We have three commissions under our ministry — for the Schedule Caste, Other Backward Class and Safai Mazdoor. We keep working on such policies so that people can get benefits from them.

Q: What are the major plans of the ministry for 2023?

A: We have appointed the Rohini Commission under which there is 27 per cent reservation for OBCs, but the DNTs are demanding separate reservation. Though this falls under the OBC category, the DNT community is not getting any benefits from the commission. So there are talks regarding categorisation of this 27 per cent reservation system.

Also, we have given 10 per cent reservation to economically weaker sections in jobs and admission, whose annual family income is below Rs 8 lakh and who don’t fall under SC/ST/OBC categories. Any family from any caste falls in this category and can avail benefits of this policy.

We have also appointed a three-member commission, headed by former Chief Justice of India, K.G. Balakrishnan, to consider the possibility of granting SC status to ‘new persons who have historically belonged to the Scheduled Castes’, but have converted to religions other than Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism. He has also been given the responsibility to study Dalit Muslims and Dalit Christians and submit a report within six months.

Q: India is hosting the G20 meet next year. What will be the contribution of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment?

A: We are in the process of chalking out new programmes for the G20 meet. We will come up with new ideas.

Besides, we have a scheme of overseas scholarship under which we give scholarships to Schedule Caste students to go aboard and study. This year, we sent 125 students abroad and we are targeting to ramp up the numbers next year.

Q: The 2024 Lok Sabha elections are not far away, and the Republican Party of India is in alliance with the BJP. What are you thoughts about the upcoming general elections?

A: In 2024, we are targeting 350+ seats for the BJP, while the NDA should win 400+ seats. In 2019, BJP had got 303 seats alone, so the target is more this time. The Republican Party of India is fully with the BJP. Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds good thoughts about Babasaheb Ambedkar. He has vowed to strengthen the Constitution framed by Ambedkar. His ideology of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayaas’ is appreciable.

The Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Aatamnirbhar Bharat’ is incomparable. He is a global leader. He has taken the country’s economy to a new level. Leaders like Rahul Gandhi cannot even face Modi in 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Q: The opposition parties seem to be coming together for the next general elections, just like like they formed the Mahagathbandhan in 2019. What is your take on this?

A: It is hard for all the opposition parties to come together. Also, every party wants the PM candidate to be from their party. Even if they come together, facing PM Modi will be tough for them. The Prime Minister not only has the support of the NDA, he also enjoys the support of the common people. He is running a good government.

Q: Rahul Gandhi’s popularity seems to be growing with the Bharat Jodo Yatra that his drawing good crowd. Do you think it will make any difference in 2024?

A: This is not Bharat Jodo Yatra, but ‘Bharat Todo Yatra’. If Congress wanted to do Bharat Jodo, they could have done it during its 70-year rule. But what they did was ‘Bharat Todo’.

Also, Rahul Gandhi should first work on ‘Congress Jodo’ instead. Yes, the Yatra is drawing large crowds, but that will not translate into votes in favour of the Congress. Rahul Gandhi has grown his beard, but Congress’ seats will not grow.

Maharashtra

Panvel: 3 Vehicles Collide, 1 Dead, 2 Injured In Major Accident On Mumbai Pune Expressway

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Mumbai: In another fatal accident on the Mumbai Pune Expressway, on Friday early morning three vehicles collided against each other, overturing a truck and mangling a car. As per reports, one passenger was killed on the spot and two others were severely injured.

The video of the horrifying accident has surfaced on the internet. The incident took place in Panvel.

In the accident, a truck, a tanker and a car smashed on one another. It is said that all the three vehicles were in high speed which lead the truck to overturn and crush the car.

The Panvel police, highway traffic police, ambulances and other concerned authorities reached the spot immediately. The injured are taken to a nearby hospital. As per initial information, the accident occurred on Pune lane of the expressway.

So far, the police have not informed the identification of the victims. The exact time of incident is not clear. Intestigations are underway.

Recent Accident

On July 16, a bus carrying 54 people collided with a tractor and plunged into a ditch on the Mumbai Pune Expressway. The mishap claimed five lives and left 46 injured.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde later announced Rs 5 lakh compensation for the kin of the deceased and free treatment for the injured.

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Maharashtra

Congress hold state-wide protests against the Taliban-like mindset threatening MP Rahul Gandhi.

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Mumbai : The Congress party staged protests across the state, taking to the streets against the reckless leaders of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena, who issued death threats to Opposition leader MP Rahul Gandhi. During this protest, it was demanded that the BJP-Shiv Sena rein in those who threatened Rahul Gandhi and take strict action against them.

In Mira Bhayandar, protest was held under the leadership of in-charge Ramesh Chennithala and state president Nana Patole, Legislative Party Leader Balasaheb Thorat, Opposition Leader Vijay Wadettiwar, former Minister Satej Bunty Patil, Hussain Dalwai, MLA Bhai Jagtap, along with other leaders, office bearers, and hundreds of workers protested, condemning the Taliban-like attitude of the BJP. In Mumbai, a massive protest was held outside the residence of Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar in Colaba under the leadership of Mumbai Congress President MP Varsha Gaikwad. A demand was also made for the suspension of Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad.

In Pune, a protest was organized in front of the District Collector’s office by the Pune City District Congress Committee. City President Arvind Shinde, MLA Ravindra Dhangekar, former Minister Balasaheb Shivarkar, state Vice President and former MLA Mohan Joshi, state General Secretary Abhay Chhajed, former Mayor Kamal Vyavhare, along with other office bearers and a large number of workers, were present.

In Nashik, under the leadership of District Congress President Shirish Kotwal, a protest was held at the Market Committee Gate, where the effigies of Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad, BJP leader Anil Bonde, and Tarvinder Singh Marwah were beaten with shoes to express strong condemnation. Market Committee Chairman Sanjay Jadhav, City President Nandkumar Kotwal, and several office bearers were present.

In Jalgaon, the District Congress Committee led a raasta roko protest at Akashwani Chowk under the leadership of City District President Shyam Tayde. Leaders from Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Nationalist Congress Party (SP) also participated. During the protest, demands were made for the arrest of BJP leaders Tarvinder Marwah, Ravneet Bittu, Anil Bonde, and Shinde faction leader Sanjay Gaikwad. State Vice President Pratibha Shinde, former Jalgaon Mayor Jayshree Mahajan, and other workers were present.

In Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, a roadblock protest was held in front of the District Collector’s office. City District Congress President Sheikh Yusuf, Seva Dal State President Vilas Autade, State General Secretary Jitendra Dehade, Jagannath Kale, Yogesh Masalge, Ibrahim Pathan, Kiran Patil Dongavkar, and Bhausaheb Jagtap, along with several office bearers, participated.

In Nagpur, former Union Minister Vilas Muttemwar, City President MLA Vikas Thakre, MLA Abhijeet Wanjari, along with hundreds of workers, protested, demanding action against the threat-issuing leaders. Under the leadership of Nashik City District Congress Committee President Adv. Akash Chhajed, the Nashik City District Congress Committee also protested, condemning the reckless leaders. The Kolhapur Congress Committee also protested, denouncing those who issued threats.

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Maharashtra

Maharashtra Elections 2024: PM Modi To Reach Wardha Today, Lay Foundation For Amravati Textile Park Ahead Of Polls

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Mumbai: Ahead of the Maharashtra assembly elections, the government is on a spree of project inaugurations, announcements, foundation-laying ceremonies, and other events. On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to be in Maharashtra’s Vidharbha region for number of events.

Notably, the PM is also expected to be in Maharashtra in the first week of October also for the inauguration of Mumbai Metro 3 phase 1 and Thane Creek bridge.

No Drone Allowed Today

On Friday morning, PM Modi will land in Nagpur city and further fly to Wardha. As per police order, no drone flying is allowed in the region today (September 20) and any drone found, offenders will face strict actions.

Modi will attend the first-anniversary programme of the ‘PM Vishwakarma’ scheme in Wardha and lay the foundation stone for 1,000 acre big PM Mega Integrated Textile Regions and Apparel (PM MITRA) Park in Amravati.

To symbolise the tangible support provided to artisans, he will also distribute credit under the Vishwakarma scheme to 18 beneficiaries across 18 trades. As a tribute to their legacy and contributions to society, the PM will release a commemorative stamp to mark first anniversary of the scheme.

Several Project Inaugurations Today

In Amravati, the PM will lay the foundation stone of ‘PM Mega Integrated Textile Regions and Apparel (PM MITRA) Park’. The 1,000-acre park is being developed by the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) as the state implementation agency. The Central government had approved setting up of seven PM MITRA Parks for the textile industry, the official release said.

PM Modi will also launch the ‘Acharya Chanakya Skill Development Centre’ scheme of the Maharashtra government. Skill development training centres will be established in renowned colleges across the state to provide training to persons between the age group of 15 to 45, enabling them to become self-reliant and access various employment opportunities.

Around 1,50,000 youths across the state will receive free skill development training each year, it added. The PM will also launch ‘Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Women Startup Scheme’, under which early-stage support will be given to women-led start-ups in Maharashtra..

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