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

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2 years ago

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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.

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Maharashtra

Byculla, Maharashtra Assembly Elections Results 2024: Can Yamini Jadhav Defend Her Turf In Sena vs Sena Battle Against Manoj Jamsutkar?

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6 mins ago

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November 23, 2024

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Mumbai: As the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Elections Results 2024 are set to be revealed on Saturday, November 23, all eyes are on key constituencies like Byculla, a key seat in Mumbai. The constituency is part of the Mumbai South Lok Sabha constituency and has been a focal point of intense political competition.

Byculla is one of the 288 seats in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly and is designated as constituency number 184. The seat falls under the general category and is located in Mumbai City District. Currently, Byculla is represented by Yamini Jadhav of Shiv Sena (Shinde faction).

In the 2024 elections, Yamini Jadhav will face a tough fight from the Shiv Sena UBT candidate Manoj Jamsutkar, making it a key battle to watch. Jadhav secured her victory in 2019 by defeating AIMIM’s Waris Pathan with a sizeable margin of over 20,023 votes, but this time, the political dynamics have shifted.

Byculla has a total of 2,58,856 registered voters, as per the Election Commission’s latest figures. With a diverse demographic composition, the seat often witnesses polarized voting patterns.

Current Political Scenario in Maharashtra

The ruling coalition, Mahayuti, led by Eknath Shinde (Shiv Sena-Shinde), Devendra Fadnavis (BJP), and Ajit Pawar (NCP-Ajit Pawar), currently holds 202 seats in the assembly. Of these, BJP accounts for 102 seats, NCP (Ajit) has 40, Shiv Sena (Shinde) has 38, and smaller parties hold the remaining 22 seats.

On the other hand, the opposition alliance, Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), led by Sharad Pawar (NCP-Sharad Pawar), Uddhav Thackeray (Shiv Sena-UBT) and Nana Patole (Congress) holds 69 seats. Congress leads the MVA with 37 seats, followed by Shiv Sena (UBT) with 16 and NCP (Sharad Pawar) with 12.

Byculla is considered crucial for both alliances. For the ruling Mahayuti, retaining the seat will showcase its strength in Mumbai, while a win for MVA could indicate a shift in urban voting preferences.

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Maharashtra

Worli, Maharashtra Assembly Election Results 2024: Aaditya Thackeray Looks To Defend Turf Against Milind Deora

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15 mins ago

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November 23, 2024

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Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Election Results 2024 are set to be declared on Saturday, November 23. All eyes are on the big fight between the ruling Mahayuti, led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde (Shiv Sena – Shinde) alongwith Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis (BJP), Ajit Pawar (NCP), and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) led by Sharad Pawar (NCP-Sharad Pawar) and Uddhav Thackeray (Shiv Sena-UBT). Worli Assembly constituency is one of the key constituencies everyone has their eyes on. Worli assembly constituency falls in Mumbai South Lok Sabha constituency.

Worli constituency is one of the 288 seats from the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly up for grabs. The constituency, designated by number 182, falls in Mumbai City District. Worli, the general category constituency, is currently represented in Maharashtra Legislative Assembly by Aaditya Thackeray from Shiv Sena (UBT).

Past polls

In Maharashtra Legislative Assembly 2019 elections, Aaditya Thackeray defeated Nationalist Congress Party’s Suresh Mane by 67427 votes. Thackeray got 89248 votes while Mane got 21821 votes.

Before Aaditya Thackeray, the constituency was represented in Maharashtra assembly by Sunil Shinde (Shiv Sena).

Worli Legislative Assembly Constituency:

As per 2011 census, there are 271,277 voters in Worli constituency.

Worli is broadly considered to be a bastion of Shiv Sena with a large Maharashtrian population but in past, other parties like the NCP have been able to snatch the seat.

The constituency is in focus this time due to clash between various factions of Shiv Sena and NCP. It is likely that fight for Worli would become a prestige issue for both, Shiv Sena (UBT) and Shiv Sena (Shinde) factions.

Issues In Worli Assembly Constituency:

Two of the prominent issues in Worli are demands of the fisherfolk with respect to the coastal road and redevelopment of the BDD chawls.

Current situation In Maharashtra Assembly:

Currently, that is in the run up to assembly elections 2024, the ruling disposition in Maharashtra has 202 MLAs with it. Out of these, BJP has 102 seats, NCP (Ajit Pawar) has 40, Shiv Sena (Shinde) has 38 and other parties have 24.

The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has 69 seats in its kitty. Out of these, Congress has 37, Shiv Sena (UBT) has 16, NCP (Sharad Pawar) has 12 while other parties have six seats. Fifteen seats are vacant.

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Maharashtra

Maharashtra Assembly Election Results 2024, Baramati Constituency: Know About Candidates, Parties, Vote Share & More

Published

32 mins ago

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November 23, 2024

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Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Election Results 2024 are set to be declared on Saturday, November 23. Baramati City, located in the western section of the state, falls under the Pune Division. The constituency is part of the 288 Vidhan Sabha (state legislative assembly). This is constituency number 201 in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. The Baramati Assembly constituency is a part of the Baramati Lok Sabha constituency.

The Lok Sabha constituency encompasses Daund, Purandar, Bhor, Indapur, and Khadakwasla as well. As per the 2011 census, the city recorded a population of around Baramati taluka with a population of 429,600 and a literacy rate of 82.27%. 

The Nationalist Congress Party secured victory in the 2019 Maharashtra Legislative Assembly elections. Baramati is located in the Pune district of the Maharashtra State. 

In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Nationalist Congress Party –Sharadchandra Pawar candidate Supriya Sule won the Baramati Lok Sabha (MP) Seat with a margin of 158333 votes by defeating Sunetra Ajit Pawar of the Nationalist Congress Party.

History of Baramati Assembly constituency 

Since 1978, NCP has achieved victory 5 times, while BJP has secured it 2 times. In 1978, the Independent’s Satpute Bhaguji Niwarte secured the seat and garnered a total of 19,010 votes. In 1980, Gangadhar Nilkanth Swami from the Indian National Congress (U) secured the position, beating Veena Bansilal Khare of INC (I).

In 1985, Bhaguji Nivartti Satpute from the Indian Congress (Socialist) secured the position by overcoming INC’s Anant Shankarrao Jagatkar. In 1990, BJP candidate Vimal Nandkishor Mundada secured the seat by garnering 35,957 votes, defeating INC’s Bhaguji Niwarti Satpute. In 1995, BJP’s Dr Vimaltai Nandkishore Mundada triumphed over INC’s Satpute Bhagoji Nivrutti Rao.

In 1999, Dr. Mundada Vimaltai Nandkishor from the Nationalist Congress Party secured the seat with a margin of 45,835 votes over BJP’s Shete Devendra Purshottam. Dr. Vimaltai Nandkishor Mundada of the NCP secured the seat by defeating BJP candidate Wadmare Chandrashekhar Vishnupant in the 2004 assembly election. NCP has secured the seat in the elections of 2004, 2009, 2014, and 2019. In the 2024 Assembly election, Ajit Pawar from NCP will be fighting against NCP’s (SP) Rahul Kalate. 

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