Maharashtra
YEAREND INTERVIEW: Cong seats won’t grow like Rahul’s beard: Ramdas Athawale
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
Mumbai: Anti-Narcotics Cell takes strict action against drug peddlers, action taken against 6 smugglers so far, several cases registered

Mumbai: The Anti-Narcotics Cell has ordered the deportation of three people involved in drug trafficking. Ahmed Mohammad Shafi Sheikh alias Akbar Khao, 42, of Kurla, Mohammad Farid Rehmatullah Sheikh alias Choha, 31, of Kurla, and Sarfaraz Sabir Ali alias Bhoora, 40, of Vikhroli, arrested in a drug case in Mumbai, have been deported. A case under the NDPS is pending against them and a charge sheet has also been filed against the accused. The accused have committed the crime again after being released on bail in the drug case. The NDPS unit Ghatkopar had recommended deportation to the Home Department, which has been sealed. On this basis, Mohammad Shafi Sheikh alias Akbar Khao, 42, was sent to Nagpur Jail on March 6, Mohammad Farid Rehmatullah Sheikh alias Choha, 31, of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar Jail and Sarfaraz Sabir Ali Khan alias Bhoora, 40, have been sent to Amrauti Jail. Ahmed Mohammad Shafi Sheikh A total of 7 cases have been registered under the NDPS Act against Akbar Ghau, 42, Worli, Kurla, VB Nagar, police station. A total of 6 cases have been registered against Muhammad Farid Rehmatullah, alias Choha, VB Nagar, Kurla. A total of 7 cases of NDPS have been registered against Sarfaraz Sabih Ali Khan, 40, Bandra Unit, Worli, Kurla, Kurla, Azad Maidan Unit. Since 2006, 6 accused involved in drug trafficking have been deported from the city. They have been taken into custody under the PIT NDPS Act. This action has been taken by DGP Nunath Dhole, head of the Anti-Narcotics Cell, on the instructions of Mumbai Police Commissioner Devin Bharti.
Maharashtra
Govt working to ensure uninterrupted energy supply; PM Modi says imports rose from 27 to 41 nations

New Delhi, March 23: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday stated that the government is working to ensure uninterrupted oil and gas supplies amid the conflict in West Asia, while emphasising that India has diversified its energy imports, unlike in previous instances, and will continue sourcing from wherever possible.
Initially, India imported energy needs such as crude oil, LNG, and LPG from 27 countries. Now, it imports energy from 41 countries.
The Prime Minister, addressing the Lok Sabha on the West Asia crisis, spoke about the energy security concerns of the country, said, “A large quantity of crude oil, gas, and fertilisers — many essential items — come to India through the Hormuz Strait route. Since the war began, the movement of ships through the Hormuz Strait has become very challenging. Despite this, our government has made efforts to ensure that the supply of petrol, diesel, and gas is not severely impacted.”
PM Modi stated that India imports 60 per cent of its LPG requirement and due to uncertainty in supply, the Centre has “prioritised domestic LPG consumers”.
“At the same time, domestic production of LPG is also being increased. Continuous efforts have also been made to ensure that the supply of petrol and diesel across the country remains smooth,” he said.
Highlighting the steps taken by the BJP-led government in the Centre over the last decade towards energy security, the Prime Minister said, “In the past 11 years, India has diversified its energy imports. Previously, energy needs such as crude oil, LNG, and LPG were imported from 27 countries. Today, India imports energy from 41 countries.”
He further highlighted India’s strategic steps to ensure energy security amid the ongoing conflict.
In the last decade, he said that India has prioritised storage of crude oil for times of crisis and today, the country has a strategic petroleum reserve of more than 53 lakh metric tonnes. He mentioned that the work is underway to create reserves of more than 64 lakh metric tonnes. The reserves held by Indian oil companies are separate, he added.
“In the last 11 years, our refining capacity has also increased significantly. The government is continuously in touch with suppliers from different countries, making efforts to ensure that oil and gas supplies continue from wherever possible. The Government of India is keeping a constant watch on Gulf and overseas shipping routes,” he said.
“Our endeavour is that ships carrying essential items like oil, gas, and fertilisers reach India safely. We are in constant communication with all our global partners to ensure that our maritime corridors remain safe. Due to such efforts, several of our ships stranded in the Hormuz Strait have also arrived in India in recent days,” PM Modi added.
Maharashtra
Police misbehave with Shiv Sena leader and minister Shambhuraj Desai in Sitara district, Shiv Sena-BJP face to face in the House

The uproar during the election for the post of president of Mumbai’s Satara Zilla Parishad had a huge impact in the legislature on Monday. Shiv Sena MLAs became quite aggressive on this issue. As soon as Shiv Sena minister Shambhuraj Desai raised the issue in the Legislative Council, Deputy Speaker Neelam Gorhe immediately ordered the suspension of Satara Superintendent of Police Tushar Doshi. After this, Shiv Sena MLAs sat on the steps of the legislature and protested against Superintendent of Police Tushar Doshi and the manner in which the elections to Satara Zilla Parishad were held. At that time, Shiv Sena MLAs raised loud slogans. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis looked quite angry due to the protest of Shiv Sena MLAs. After all this, he reached the house and spoke to Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Shambhuraj Desai. After all this, a round of talks began between Shiv Sena and BJP leaders to resolve the issue. Meanwhile, it is understood that there was a phone conversation between Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. At that time, Devendra Fadnavis also expressed his displeasure over the steps of the Shiv Sena MLA on the Vidhan Bhavan. Then Eknath Shinde immediately raised a counter question. Eknath Shinde expressed his displeasure over the behavior of BJP MLA Jay Kumar Gaur in Satara. It is understood that Eknath Shinde asked Devendra Fadnavis if the Shiv Sena MLA’s protest on the steps was not right, so was Jay Kumar Gaur’s behavior right. Now it is understood that a meeting will be held between Eknath Shinde and Devendra Fadnavis soon regarding this dispute. Sources also know that behind-the-scenes activities are going on to ensure harmony between the two parties. Shiv Sena ministers and MLAs became aggressive against the misbehavior in Satara. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also expressed his displeasure over this incident. He said that the secondary treatment being given to the ruling ministers and MLAs is unbearable. Not only this, the Shiv Sena minister also expressed his position to Eknath Shinde that we will resign. The MLAs and ministers said that this should be considered because we are constantly being suppressed and strangled.
The total number of seats in Sitara Zilla Parishad is 65.
BJP 27, NCP 20, Shiv Sena 15, Congress 1, Independent 2. During the Zilla Parishad elections in Sitara, Shambhuraj Desai made serious allegations of misbehavior and threats to the police, after which a ruckus has started in the House as well. Shiv Sena took an aggressive stance and protested on the steps of the Assembly, due to which there have now been rumors of differences between Shiv Sena and BJP, while efforts have also been made to resolve these differences. This claim has been made by political sources. Now Shiv Sena and BJP have come face to face on this issue.
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