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
Petrol Pump Employee Attacked With Chopper On JJ Road; One Held, Three Absconding

Mumbai: A 35-year-old employee at an Indian Oil petrol pump on Sir J.J. Road in Mumbai was allegedly attacked with a chopper by a group of four men following a petty argument. One of the accused, Moin Armaan Mohammad Gaus Shaikh (29), a second-hand clothes dealer from Wadala East, has been arrested, while three other unidentified accused remain absconding.
The incident occurred on June 27, when Moin Shaikh arrived at the petrol pump on a scooter to refuel. A minor altercation ensued between him and the complainant, Mohammad Ilyas Shaikh (35), a resident of Shivajinagar and an employee at the station. Moin allegedly threatened Ilyas before leaving the scene, only to return shortly with three accomplices—one of whom was armed with a chopper.
According to the police, the group launched a violent attack on Ilyas with the intent to kill. One of the assailants slashed the complainant’s back, while another attempted to strike near his neck. Fortunately, Ilyas dodged the blow, sustaining only superficial injuries. Another attacker, dressed in black, slapped him, while a second man in a black-and-white checkered T-shirt struck him in the face with a plastic chair, causing a nosebleed. A third assailant punched him, and another created panic among bystanders, causing them to flee the scene.
Senior officers, including Assistant Commissioner Mugutwar, Senior Inspector Kamble, and Investigation Officer Gore, visited the crime scene. The accused were booked under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code for assault, criminal intimidation, and attempted murder. CCTV footage from the petrol pump has been recovered as part of the investigation.
Moin Shaikh was arrested from his residence in Wadala East. Police records show a prior case registered against him at Wadala Police Station in 2016 under IPC Sections 324, 323, 506, and 34. The weapon used in the crime—a chopper—has yet to be recovered. The injured employee was treated as an outpatient at J.J. Hospital and is reported to be in stable condition. Further investigation is underway to trace the absconding accused and recover the weapon.
Maharashtra
Maharashtra Assembly involved in corruption, opposition boycotts T-party

Mumbai: Mumbai Maharashtra government is corrupt and involved in corruption. There are serious allegations like murder on ministers and Mahagathbandhan leaders in this government. They are also supported by the police. Thanedaar Ajit Pawar, NCP faction leader Najeeb Malla are accused of murder and the widow of the deceased has made this allegation in a press conference while the government is unable to take action against these leaders. The law and order situation is very bad and corruption is at its peak while the Chief Minister claims to be a good government.
The leaders of the three parties have three faces and accordingly the law and order situation in the state is bad. Shiv Sena leader and Leader of Opposition in Legislative Council Ambadas Danve has made such serious allegations on the government in the joint press conference of Maha Vikas Aghadi here today. He has criticized the government and accused it of handing over Mumbai to Adani in the name of development and corruption of Rs 3,000 crore. Along with this, the Maha Vikas Aghadi has also decided to boycott the tea party of the ruling party before the assembly session. The government has ruined everything from farmers to ST Mahamandal. Wari palanquins are running but the condition of ST is bad. Pilgrims are traveling in these STs to join the Wari risking their lives. Ambadas Danve alleged that the corruption of the government is at its peak, so we have boycotted the tea party. NCP Sharad Pawar faction’s Jitendra Ahwat, Congress leader Vijay Vardatiwar and Shiv Sena leader Aditya Thackeray also spoke at this press conference. Ambadas Danve said that the government has completely failed to solve the problems of the people, so the government will be asked to answer on these issues in the House.
Maharashtra
Local Police Arrest Suspect in Mira Road House Looting Incident

Mumbai: In an unusual turn of events, Mira Road police have successfully apprehended a suspect believed to be involved in a recent house looting incident that had left local residents unsettled. The arrest, which was made early Friday morning, follows an intensive investigation launched after the break-in was reported to authorities.
According to the police report, the incident occurred earlier this week when the occupant of the residential property returned home to find it ransacked. Valuables, including jewelry and electronic devices, were reported missing. The meticulous efforts by the investigating officers, including gathering CCTV footage and conducting neighborhood inquiries, played a crucial role in identifying and locating the suspect.
The accused, whose identity has been withheld pending further investigation, was apprehended after a brief chase and later confessed to the crime during police interrogation. Authorities recovered a significant portion of the stolen items from the suspect’s possession.
Residents of Mira Road have expressed relief following the arrest, praising the police force for their rapid response and dedication to maintaining community safety. “We feel more secure knowing that the police are actively working to protect us,” said one local resident.
This incident has prompted the police to urge residents to enhance home security measures and report any suspicious activities immediately. The authorities have reiterated their commitment to maintaining peace and order in the area.
The suspect is currently in custody and will be presented in court later this week, as the police continue their investigation to determine if he is connected to any other recent burglaries in the vicinity.
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