Tag: Maharshtra

Britain likely to return dagger that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj killed Afzal Khan with

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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There’s quite some buzz in Maharashtra about the possible return of the iconic ‘Wagh Nakh’ the dagger that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj used to eliminate Afzal Khan, a general who served the Adil Shahi dynasty of Bijapur Sultanate in India.

It is a known fact that the British took away numerous valuable gems from India when they left the country in the mid-19th century. From the invaluable Kohinoor diamond to Tipu Sultan’s ring and Shahjahan’s cup, there are multiple precious articles that belong to India and are now on display at the Victoria and Albert Museum in the UK.

According to reports, the dagger called ‘Wagh Nakh’ that Shivaji Maharaj used to kill Afzal Khan in the year 1659 is expected to return to the homeland by the end of the year. The Times of India reported that the UK has agreed to repatriate this artifact, and Minister of State for Cultural Affairs Sudhir Mungantiwar will travel to London later this month to formalize the return by signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Victoria and Albert Museum, where the ‘Wagh Nakh’ is currently on display.

Also read: British Museum staff member dismissed after items found missing

If all goes well, the cherished ‘Wagh Nakh’ may be back in Maharashtra by the year-end. This unique dagger that resembles a tiger’s claw, holds historical significance as it was wielded by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to vanquish Afzal Khan. Mungantiwar expressed optimism about the impending return of the dagger stating, “We have received confirmation from the UK authorities regarding the return of the ‘Wagh Nakh.’ We are aiming to have it back in time for the anniversary of the day when Shivaji defeated Afzal Khan, based on the Hindu calendar.”

Also read: Unique experiences await visitors at Bharat Mandapam during G20 Summit

This dagger symbolises a pivotal moment in India’s past and its return is a matter of great significance. Mungantiwar revealed that efforts are underway to explore the return of other historically significant objects, such as Shivaji’s Jagadamba sword, which is also currently on display in the UK.

The planning for the safe return of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s ‘Wagh Nakh’ and the examination of other artifacts in the UK involves a team comprising Mungantiwar, Dr Vikas Kharge, Principal Secretary of Culture, and Dr Tejas Garge, Director of the State’s Directorate of Archaeology and Museums. The three-member delegation is scheduled to visit the UK on a six-day mission from September 29 to October 4.

The ‘Wagh Nakh’ is a steel weapon featuring four claws mounted on a bar, with two rings designed for the first and fourth fingers, providing it a unique historical and cultural connection to India’s rich past.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Maharashtra Minister Aaditya Thackeray arrives in Lucknow ahead of Ayodhya visit

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Maharashtra Minister Aaditya Thackeray has arrived in Lucknow ahead of his Ayodhya visit.

“When we came for the first time in 2018, we said ‘Pehle mandir, Phir sarkaar’. I’ll offer prayers & receive blessings,” he said soon after landing at the Lucknow airport.

Earlier,  Shiv Sena leader MP Sanjay Raut had said that the purpose of the visit is to seek the blessing of Lord Ram. “This is not a political programme. The sole purpose of the visit is to seek the blessing of Lord Ram,” Sanjay Raut said.

Aaditya Thackeray will also visit the construction site of the Ram temple and Lord Hanuman at Hanuman Garhi temple. He will also participate in the aarti on the banks of the Sarayu river,” the Shiv Sena’s chief spokesperson said while explaining Thackeray’s schedule in the holy city.

Raut also informed that Shiv Sena workers and leaders are already in Ayodhya to make arrangements for Thackeray’s first solo visit.

Also read: Raj Thackeray Became Bjp’S Loudspeaker After Securing Amnesty From Central Agencies: Sanjay Raut 

The surprise visits came days after the Rajya Sabha polls for a total of six seats from Maharashtra were contested. In the elections, The BJP’s Piyush Goyal, Anil Bonde and Dhananjay Mahadik won three out of six seats. Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Pawar lost to Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Dhananjay Mahadik- its third nominee. The Shiv Sena and its allies Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Congress, won one seat each.

Earlier, Aaditya Thackeray’s uncle and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray had also announced his Ayodhya visit this month, but the plan was cancelled, citing health reasons. The 32-year-old had visited the holy city with his father on two occasions—November 24, 2018, and March 7, 2020.

(With inputs from PTI)

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Maharashtra rains: Death toll rises to 192, Ajit Pawar tours flood-hit villages

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The death toll in rain-related incidents in Maharashtra rose to 192 on Monday after the recovery of 28 more bodies, most of them in Raigad, the state government said, while Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar toured flood-hit villages in Sangli district and said a decision on providing financial relief will be taken in a couple of days. As many as 48 persons were injured in these incidents and 25 still missing, while so far, 2,29,074 persons have been evacuated from the flood and rain-affected affected areas and moved to safer places, the government said in a statement in Mumbai.

Giving the district-wise break up of fatalities in heavy rains and floods since last week, the official statement said Raigad has reported 95 deaths, Satara 45, Ratnagiri 21, Thane 12, Kolhapur 7, Sindhudurg, Akola, Pune and Wardha 2 each, and Mumbai 4 (total 192).The administration of Raigad, the worst-hit district located in the coastal Konkan region, earlier on Monday called off the search operations for 31 missing people in Taliye village which was ravaged by a massive landslide after heavy rains last week, Collector Nidhi Chaudhari said.

The village, located in Mahad taluka of Raigad, witnessed the deadly landslide last Thursday after heavy rains, flattening several houses in the area.The collector said the decision to call of the search operations was taken after seeking opinion of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the disaster response forces of the state and neighbouring Thane district.

“The rescue operations have ended officially. We have withdrawn our teams from Taliye. The 31 missing will be declared dead following the due process…relatives of the missing people demanded closure of the operations since yesterday,” the collector said earlier in the day.Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray visited the village on Saturday and said as landslides proved fatal in many parts of the state, the government would come up with a plan to permanently relocate people living in hilly areas.

A decision on providing relief to the people affected by floods will be taken in the next couple of days, Deputy CM Ajit Pawar said after he toured various rain-hit villages in Sangli district and used a rescue boat to reach out to victims in some areas on Monday.He interacted with the flood-affected people and assured them of rehabilitation and help from the state government.

“The Maha Vikas Aghadi government will provide all possible help to those who have been affected by floods. I, cabinet ministers Jayant Patil, Vijay Wadettiwar, and minister of state Vishwajeet Kadam visited the flood-affected areas in the Sangli district and took stock of the situation.”In the next two days, a final decision about (the relief) will be taken in the presence of Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray,” Pawar, who also holds the Finance portfolio, told a press conference.

Water Resources Minister Jayant Patil, Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Vijay Wadettiwar and Minister of State Vishwajeet Kadam accompanied Pawar during his visit to the flood-battered Bhilwadi and other areas of the district. They used a boat to reach out to people affected by the monsoon mayhem in Bhilwadi.Pawar later told reporters that “unprecedented” rains triggered floods in districts in Western Maharashtra.

“When heavy rains started after July 22, there was enough storage capacity in dams in the Krishna river basin but heavy downpour in the pre-catchment areas of dams caused floods downstream,” he said.Pawar described the pre-catchment area of the dam as the area ahead of the dam’s wall. He added that since its construction, the Koyna dam never received such a huge influx of water.

“Around 16.5 TMC water was received in one day in the Koyna dam which has the storage capacity of 100 TMC. There is a place near Koyna called Navja, where 32-inch rainfall was witnessed,” he said.Pawar said the work to assess losses caused due to floods is still not completed.

“Real picture about the damage caused to crops and farms will emerge after the water recedes. I have instructed the district administration to continue with the assessment of losses at new places,” he added.Speaking about landslides, Pawar said such incidents were reported from the areas that were not prone to landslips.

Responding to a query, Pawar said there was good coordination between the Centre and the Maharashtra government in managing the flood situation.”To avoid flooding in the future, emphasis will be given on strengthening the flood management system. I have received some suggestions to have SDRF (State Disaster Response Force) centres in flood-prone districts so that when such a situation arises, these groups can be pressed into action instead of waiting for help from agencies like the NDRF, Army, Coast Guard and Navy,” he said.

Asked whether the current flood situation in western Maharashtra is a “man-made” crisis, Pawar dismissed such contention, saying “unprecedented” rainfall in “pre-catchment” areas of dams led to the scenario.Pawar reiterated the state government was willing to rehabilitate people who often get affected by floods in hilly areas.

He asked the Sangli district administration to conduct a survey of such houses and also check the land availability for rehabilitation.He said that “VVIP tours” will now start in the flood and landslide affected areas and directed respective district administrations to appoint “nodal officers” for coordinating such tours so that district collectors, SPs, CEOs of ZPs can focus on the main work to manage the situation once floods recede.

Pawar underlined the need to exercise caution to prevent floods citing the IMD prediction of heavy rains in August given that dams have almost reached their fullest capacity in July itself. Pawar then headed towards Satara district, also hit by heavy rains and flood, to review the situation there.

Earlier in the day, the Krishna river was flowing at 52.11 feet at the Irwin bride in Sangli at 11 am, as against the danger mark of 45 feet, an official said.The state government on Sunday said it provided an emergency financial aid of Rs 2 crore each to Raigad and Ratnagiri districts. Satara, Sangli, Pune, Kolhapur, Thane and Sindhudurg, also affected by rains, were provided with a financial aid of Rs 50 lakh each.

Chief Minister Thackeray on Sunday visited Chiplun, the site of severe flooding in Ratnagiri district in the Konkan region, and interacted with residents, businessmen and shopkeepers. He promised them all help from the state government.Heavy rains last week caused massive floods and landslides in large parts of Maharashtra, especially in the Konkan and Western Maharashtra regions.

On Monday, the chief minister was scheduled to visit flood-hit Patan taluka in Satara district, but had to cancel the tour due to rough weather, an official said.Thackeray was to take a helicopter from Pune to Koynanagar and conduct an aerial survey of the affected areas.

He was also scheduled to meet the affected people at a shelter camp set up at a zilla parishad school in Koynanagar.An official in the Chief Minister’s Office said Thackeray’s tour was cancelled due to “inclement weather”.

Heavy rains last week caused landslides at Ambeghar and Mirgaon villages of Patan taluka.Meanwhile, four days after suspension of train traffic on some routes near Mumbai due to heavy rains, all rail lines in the Thal and Bhor Ghat areas of neighbouring Thane, Nashik and Pune were restored on Monday morning, a Central Railway (CR) spokesperson said in the state capital.

The CR had suspended traffic at the Thal Ghat, which is also known as the Kasara Ghat, from 10.15 pm on July 21, while traffic at the Bhor ghat, popularly called the Khandala Ghat, was suspended at 12.30 am on July 22, following heavy rains, landslides, tree falls and mudslides at multiple locations.Trains going towards north and eastern parts of the country from Mumbai pass through the Thal Ghat, while trains going towards south move via the Bhor Ghat.

The Railways has also opened the Karjat-Khopoli railway line in Raigad district for traffic from July 25 afternoon, CR’s chief spokesperson Shivaji Sutar said.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Maharashtra live updates: No decision on supporting Shiv Sena yet: NCP, Congress

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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President’s rule was imposed in Maharashtra on Tuesday evening after Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari in a report to the Centre stated that formation of a stable government was impossible in the current situation despite all his efforts, drawing flak from non-BJP parties. The development came as the political impasse lingered on for the 19th day after the assembly election results were declared, with the Congress and the NCP saying that they have not yet taken any decision on Shiv Sena’s proposal of forming a government, which they received only on Monday, and will hold further discussions.

10:23 PM: President’s rule in Maharashtra ‘cruel joke’ on democracy, malicious act: Congress

The Congress hit out at Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari and the BJP-led Centre on Tuesday over the imposition of President’s rule in the state, saying the action was not only a “cruel joke” on democracy but also a “malicious act” that tramples upon constitutional practices.

Congress’ chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala also questioned the Maharashtra governor’s “arbitrary” allotment of time to the NCP, Shiv Sena and the BJP to prove support for government formation. “The imposition of President’s rule in Maharashtra is not only a cruel joke on democracy, but also a malicious act that tramples upon constitutional practices,” he said, adding, “The governor and the rulers in Delhi have done a grave injustice to the afflicted farmers and the common people of Maharashtra.”

9:38 PM: CPI(M) terms imposition of Prez rule in Maharashtra ‘abrupt’

The CPI(M) Politburo on Tuesday called the imposition of President’s rule in Maharashtra “abrupt” and said the “hurried” endorsement of the governor’s recommendation for it was an “assault” on the Constitution.

“The CPI(M) Politburo strongly condemns the abrupt manner in which the President’s rule has been imposed in Maharashtra. The governor had given time till 8.30 pm tonight to the NCP leader, Sharad Pawar, to claim support of the majority of the elected MLAs to form the government. Even before the deadline set by him was over, he recommends the imposition of Article 356 by the President of India,” the party said in a statement.

9:34 PM: Will work to form BJP govt, says Narayan Rane; mocks Shiv Sena for getting fooled by Congress

BJP leader and former Maharashtra chief minister Narayan Rane on Tuesday said he would do “whatever” to ensure his party forms a government in the
state. Rane, a Rajya Sabha MP, was a former Shiv Sena CM who then quit the saffron party to join the Congress before floating his own outfit and then joining the BJP. “I will do whatever it takes to form a new BJP government, but I will not discuss (modalities) how,” he told reporters in Mumbai.

He said the Shiv Sena had been “unsuccessful” in the government formation as yet and went on to claim “I don’t think the Shiv Sena will go with the Congress-NCP alliance”. President’s Rule was imposed in the state on Tuesday after an impasse on government formation could not be resolved.

8:27 PM: No decision on supporting Shiv Sena yet: NCP, Congress

The Congress and NCP said on Tuesday evening that they had yet not taken any decision about supporting the Shiv Sena to form government in Maharashtra but will hold further discussions. At a joint press conference with Congress leaders, NCP president Sharad Pawar said the two parties will discuss and evolve a consensus on what should be the policies and programs if the Shiv Sena was to be supported.

“We (Congress and NCP leaders) discussed the nitty-gritty of a (possible) common minimum programme to ensure the government functions smoothly,” he said. Ahmed Patel said the Shiv Sena, which had contested the elections in alliance with the BJP, approached the Congress-NCP officially only on Monday, seeking support to form the next government.

7:59 PM: Uddhav Thackeray meets Sena’s MLA-elects at resort amid Maha impasse

Even as the Congress-NCP were in a huddle over government formation in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday met his party legislators at a suburban resort where they are staying for the last few days.

Thackeray was accompanied by senior leaders and his sons Aaditya, the newly-elected MLA from Worli in central Mumbai, and Tejas. Jadhav said the NCP was given time till 8.30 pm on Tuesday to express its “ability and willingness” to stake claim to form government in the state, but the President’s rule was imposed at 5.30 pm.

6:31 PM: No decision taken yet by SC registry on listing Shiv Sena’s petition for hearing

The Supreme Court registry is yet to take a call on placing the petition filed by the Shiv Sena before Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi on their plea for according an urgent hearing on Tuesday itself.

An official source told PTI that there is some defect in the petition and the judicial branch of the apex court registry is working with the advocate-on-record who has filed the petition to cure the defect.

5: 32 PM: President’s rule imposed in Maharashtra amid political impasse

President’s rule was imposed in Maharashtra on Tuesday evening amid a stalemate over government formation after the assembly polls last month. The Union Cabinet had earlier in the day recommended President’s rule in the state after Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari submitted a report in this regard, officials said.

President Ram Nath Kovind has signed a proclamation imposing President’s rule in Maharashtra, they said adding the Assembly will remain in suspended animation. In his report, the governor said a situation has arisen that a stable government is not possible even after 15 days of election results being declared, according to officials.

5:17 PM: Shiv Sena to file second petition in SC if President’s rule imposed

The Shiv Sena will file a second petition in the Supreme Court if the President’s rule is imposed in Maharashtra, a party lawyer said on Tuesday.  “We will file a second petition today itself if the President’s rule is imposed in the state,” advocate Sunil Fernandes, who filed the first petition on behalf of Shiv Sena, told PTI.

He said the party lawyers have received no response from the apex court registrar for the request of giving urgent hearing Tuesday itself on its first petition in which the party has sought quashing of the Governor’s Monday decision not to give three days time to submit a letter of support for government formation in the state.

4:20 PM: Prez rule recommendation: Cong says Governor acted in a hurry

The Congress on Tuesday said Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari acted in a hurry in sending his report recommending President’s rule in Maharashtra
without exhausting all options for government formation.

The Shiv Sena, which on Monday suffered a setback in its efforts to cobble up a non-BJP government in the state, said if President’s rule is imposed, it can be challenged in court.

3:16 PM: Sena moves SC against Governor’s refusal for extra time to muster numbers

The Shiv Sena on Tuesday moved the Supreme Court against Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari’s refusal to grant more time to the party to submit the required letters of support to form the next government on Monday night, a party leader said on Tuesday.

The Sena, which is trying to form a possible coalition government with the support of the NCP and the Congress, had failed to secure the requisite letters from both the parties.

2.14 PM: Shiv Sena may move SC if Guv impose Prez rule

The Shiv Sena likely to take legal recourse against Maharashtra Governor’s recommendation for the President’s Rule, reported News18. “How can the honourable governor recommend President’s rule till the time given to NCP doesn’t lapse?” asked Sena spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi.

Sources told CNN-News18 that Uddhav Thackeray has spoken to Kapil Sibal and Ahmed Patel about the recent development in Maharashtra. Kapil Sibal may represent the Sena in the Supreme Court, according to the report.

1:30 PM: Guv recommends President rule in Maharashtra

Maharashtra Governor BS Koshyari has recommended the President’s rule in the state of Maharashtra amid deadlock over government formation amid major political parties, reported News18.

The governor has sent a recommendation to the Centre that the President’s rule is the only option as no party is in the position to form government at the moment, according to the report.

12:55 PM: Sonia Gandhi, Sharad Pawar had fresh talks; 3 Cong leaders in Mumbai to meet Pawar

Congress chief Sonia Gandhi has spoken to NCP’s Sharad Pawar about Maharashtra situation, said Congress leader K C Venugopal. He further said he, Ahamed Patel and Mallikarjun Kharge will meet Pawar in Mumbai for further talks.

Hon’ble Congress President Smt.Sonia Gandhi spoke to Shri.Sharad Pawar today morning and deputed Shri.Ahamed Patel, Shri.Mallikarjun Kharge and myself for holding further discussions with Shri.Pawar.
We three are going to Mumbai now and will meet Shri.Pawar at the earliest.

— K C Venugopal (@kcvenugopalmp) November 12, 2019

12:43 PM: Decision only after talks with NCP: Congress

NCP and Congress had a pre-poll alliance and the two parties will take the decision on Maharashtra government formation collectively, senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge told ANI. “Our talks with NCP are on, and we will only move forward once discussions with them are done,” he said.

12:15 PM: If 3 parties form govt, CM will be from Shiv Sena: report

NCP sources told News18 that if NCP, Congress and Shiv Sena decides to form government, the chief minister will be from the Sena. NCP doesn’t want Congress to support it from outside and all must be onboard, the report said. “We can’t take the risk of ‘Operation Lotus’ like in Karnataka or in Goa. But no discussions have taken place on the modalities of the alliance,” sources told News18.

12:01 PM: Pawar visits Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Raut at hospital

Sharad Pawar visited Lilawati Hospital to meet Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut, who was admitted after he complained of chest pain on Monday.

11:55 AM: NCP chief Sharad Pawar keeps cards closed ahead of Guv meet

#WATCH NCP Chief Sharad Pawar on being asked if there is a meeting scheduled today between Congress and NCP: Who says there is a meeting? I don’t know. #MaharashtraGovtFormation pic.twitter.com/Tz2ytPGBHn

— ANI (@ANI) November 12, 2019

11:23 AM: Maha Congress leaders will hold talks with Sena, NCP

“The Maharashtra Congress leaders will discuss the broad contours of government formation with their NCP counterparts on Tuesday before inviting the Shiv Sena for talks.”

The Shiv Sena leaders are likely to join the discussions after the Congress and NCP come to an agreement. Sharad Pawar has informed the Congress central leadership that he would come to Delhi and finalise details with them.”

11 AM: Senior Cong leaders defer Mumbai visit

Senior Congress leaders K C Venugopal and Mallikarjun Kharge, who were supposed to come to Mumbai today to discuss modalities of support to the Shiv Sena for government formation in Maharashtra, have deferred their visit, a Congress leader said.

The two leaders postponed their visit after NCP chief Sharad Pawar conveyed that state leaders of both the parties will first discuss the “terms and conditions” of government formation, former Maharashtra Congress president Manikrao Thakare told PTI.

9:44 AM: President accepts Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant’s resignation as Union minister

President Ram Nath Kovind has accepted Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant’s resignation, with immediate effect. Sawant resigned on Monday as the Union minister of heavy industries and public enterprises amid a tussle with ally BJP over government formation in Maharashtra. The portfolio was given to Prakash Javdekar.

9:34 AM: Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Rout: “Hum honge kamiyaab!”

“लहरों से डर कर नौका पार नहीं होती,
कोशीश करने वालों की कभी हार नही होती ।’
बच्चन.
हम होंगे कामयाब..
जरूर होंगे…

— Sanjay Raut (@rautsanjay61) November 12, 2019

9:25 AM: Congress MLAs sent back to Jaipur

After the indecisive meeting of Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi with party leaders, including those from Maharashtra, on supporting the Shiv Sena in forming the state government, the party’s MLAs were sent back to Jaipur as Congress state in-charge Mallikarjun Kharge said that “there will be a meeting tomorrow”.

9:15 AM: WATCH: A highlight of what happened yesterday in Maharashtra

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8:43 AM: Two Congress leaders will meet Sharad Pawar today

The Congress on Monday decided that it will send two leaders to Mumbai to talk to NCP chief Sharad Pawar. Former Maharashtra Congress President Manikrao Thakre said: “It has been decided that two leaders will be sent for discussions with Pawar saheb… state (Congress) leaders will also be there. The next step will be taken after the discussion.”

8:35 AM: Political map of India

8:21 AM: Difficult to get support by given time for NCP: report

Senior NCP leaders believe it would be difficult for the party to convince the Congress leadership to support the Shiv Sena within the deadline of 8:30 PM given by the governor, reported The Indian Express, citing sources. Sonia Gandhi was indecisive till Monday evening over extending Congress’ support to ideological rival Sena.

* NCP national spokesperson Nawab Malik said, “Our delegation has been invited by the Governor and the indication is that a letter of invitation will be given to us. Tomorrow we shall discuss with the Congress on the ways and means to form the next government.”

“The Governor requires letters with signatures, names, constituency names and the number of all the supporting legislators which was difficult to organise at such a short notice. The Sena sought additional time, but the Governor expressed his inability to grant the extension,” Malik said.

* Earlier, senior NCP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar informed the media that he was called by the Governor at 8.30 p.m. and he was proceeding to the Raj Bhavan for a meeting along with half-a-dozen other leaders, but claimed that he had no knowledge as to why he was called.

Also read: What the Maharashtra riddle means for the state, national politics and stakeholders

* The Congress on Monday did not commit support to a government headed by Uddhav Thackeray’s party in Maharashtra as some senior leaders expressed opposition to such a move, reported IANS. Three senior leaders — A.K. Antony, Mallikarjun Kharge and K.C. Venugopal – particularly were opposed to extension of support to a Shiv Sena government as they feared backlash for the Congress in other states, sources told IANS. Even Maharashtra leader Manik Rao Thackeray had reservations as he said that “there is an issue of ideological differences with Shiv Sena”.

Highlights: Shiv Sena gets ‘in-principle’ backing from NCP,Congress but fails to get letters of support

* The Shiv Sena on Monday claimed that the NCP and Congress have agreed “in-principle” to back its government without the BJP in Maharashtra but failed to get letters of support from the political rivals before the deadline set by the Governor who rejected its plea for three more days to do so.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Amit Shah says he was never considered for the finance minister post

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Home minister Amit Shah said he was never considered for the finance minister’s post in the second terms of the Modi government. Media reports about the allocation of the finance portfolio to him were wrong as there were no such talks happened, said Shah during an interview with News18.

“In the Bharatiya Janata Party, especially when Narendra Modi is the prime minister, this kind of assessment should not be made. Thinking or assessing this too much is a waste of time,” Shah said in an interview with News18 Network Group Editor-in-Chief Rahul Joshi.

It is the prime minister’s decision to select Cabinet ministers and allocate other ministry portfolios and it is is a right given to the prime minister by the Constitution of India, Shah said.

The home minister said PM Modi takes his decisions based on his own experience and capability of workers.

“For many years, Narendrabhai has overseen the organisational work in Gujarat as well as the entire nation, so he knows many party workers personally. I believe he takes his decision based on his experience and the capability of the workers and our aim is to make his decision successful,” said Shah.

Read other stories from the interview here.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Lok Sabha elections 2019: Caste lines favour BJP-Shiv Sena in Maharashtra’s reserved lands

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The SC/ST voters will play a crucial role in deciding the fate of candidates in at least 17 out of 48 constituencies in Maharashtra where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)- Shiv Sena combine are looking to repeat their 2014 performance when they won 42 seats and wiped out Congress-Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).

There are nine reserved seats in Maharashtra — Ramtek, Amravati, Latur, Solapur, Shirdi (Schedules Castes seats), and Gadchiroli-Chimur, Dindori, Palghar and Nandurbar (Scheduled Tribes seats).

Two of the five SC seats were won by Shiv Sena and remaining by the BJP in 2014. The Congress-NCP will try to change the equation but they are placed on sticky wicket because of Prakash Ambedkar’s Vanchit Bahujan Agadi, who has gird up with Asaduddin Owaisi’s All India Majlis-e-Ittegadul Muslimeen (AIMIM).

Out of these reserved seats, Nandurbar has the highest ST population of 58.90 percent while Dindori and Palgar have SC/ST combine population of over 40 percent.

Maharashtra has 11 constituencies where the SC/ST population is more than 20 percent and on six seats the number is more than 30 percent. This include Chandrapur which has 12.40 percent Scheduled Castes and 32.10 percent Scheduled Tribe population.

In 2014 elections, the BJP had won 23 seats while Shiv Sena got 18 and one seat went to Swabhiman Paksha, then part of National Democratic Alliance (NDA), out of 48 seats in the state. The Congress was reduced to 2 and the NCP won 4.

The reserved lands of Maharashtra are once again witnessing a fierce battle but BJP-Shiv Sena enjoy a head-start and the NCP-Congress still struggling to get the combinations right.

The failure of NCP-Congress to bring Prakash Ambedkar into the alliance is expected to hit the opposition hard.

The fragmentation of Dalit and Muslim votes is expected to help the BJP-Shiv Sena which gets a boost from the committed voters of Ramdas Athawale’s Republican Party of India (RPI-A).

The distribution of tickets on some of the key seats has added to the drama.

In Ramtek, once represented by former prime minister Narasimha Rao, sitting Shiv Sena MP Kripal Tumane will take on Kishore Uttamrao Gajbhiye, a former IAS officer, of the Congress who was fielded much against the wishes of local workers, who had preferred Mukul Wasnik or Nitin Raut.

The contest is equally interesting in Amravati where Shiv Sena MP Anandrao Adsul is seeking another term overcoming resistance from within the party. He faces Navneet Kaur, a Telugu film actor, who was defeated by Adsul in 2014. She is contesting as an Independent backed by NCP.

The Congress is facing a revolt in Nandurbar tribal seat where Bharat Gavit, son of senior Congress leader and nine-time MP Manikrao Gavit, is contesting as Independent after the party chose to field KC Padavi. The BJP has fielded sitting MP Dr Heena Vijaykumar Gavit, daughter of former Maharashtra health minister Dr Vijaykumar.

In Dindori tribal seat, considered to be an NCP stronghold, the BJP has fielded Dr Bharati Pawar, a former NCP leader instead of three-time sitting MP Harishchandra Chavan. The NCP has given the ticket to former Shiv Sena MLA Dhanraj Mahale.

All eyes will be on Solapur where former Union Home Minister and Congress veteran Sushil Kumar Shinde is fighting his final election. He is facing Lingayat seer Jaiddeshwar Swami of the BJP and prominent Dalit face Prakash Ambedkar, grandson of Babasaheb B.R. Ambedkar. Shinde had lost Solapur seat, once considered to be his bastion, to Sharad Bansode of the BJP. Solapur has 14.90 percent SC population.

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Maharashtra CM for bringing petrol, diesel under GST

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Amid a nationwide outrage over rising fuel prices, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today pitched for bringing petrol and diesel under the purview of GST, saying it would ensure reduction of rates.

“A task force is already working on reducing the fuel prices. If it (petrol and diesel) can be brought under GST, rates will come down,” he told reporters here.

He said Maharashtra has already given its consent for bringing petrol and diesel under the purview of GST which was rolled out on July 1 last year but “other states have not given their consent yet.”

Fadnavis’ comment came amidst rising prices of petrol and diesel over which the opposition has been targeting the Narendra Modi government.

Talks are going on with finance ministers of all states, Fadnavis said, adding, “Once petrol and diesel are brought under the ambit of GST, its threshold will change, because right now, taxes upon taxes are levied which increases rates. GST will ensure a single tax.”

Noting that petrol and diesel prices are defined by international crude oil rates, the chief minister said the GST Council will also have to look into aspects like revenue losses before taking a decision.

Petrol costs Rs 77.47 a litre in Delhi and diesel Rs 68.53.

Petrol and diesel prices were raised for the 11th day in succession today as the state-owned oil firms gradually passed on to the consumer the increased cost of international oil that had accumulated since a 19-day freeze was imposed just before Karnataka elections.

Since the time the hiatus ended on May 14, rates have gone up by Rs 2.84 a litre in case of petrol and Rs 2.60 in diesel.

The Centre had in June last year junked the 15-year old practice of revising rates every fortnight and introduced daily revisions.

The central government levies Rs 19.48 excise duty on a litre of petrol and Rs 15.33 on diesel. State sales tax or VAT varies from state to state. Unlike excise duty, VAT is ad valorem and results in higher revenues for the state when rates move up.

Meanwhile, praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Fadnavis said the Centre has stood behind his state government “like Himalayas” and all stalled projects were given clearance under Modi’s rule.

“Unprecedented funds have been given by the Centre to mitigate drought problems, for irrigation purposes, to build roads. The Centre has given Maharashtra in last four years what was not given in the last 20 years,” he claimed.

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