News Analysis India

Tag: Bhagat Singh Koshyari

  • Chhatrapati Shivaji row: Move Koshyari out, appoint new guv, says ex-CM Ashok Chavan

    By PTI

    NANDED: Congress leader and former chief minister Ashok Chavan on Tuesday said a new governor should be appointed for Maharashtra and Bhagat Singh Koshyari should be removed from his office for his remark on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

    Chavan was speaking to reporters after an agitation staged by Congress workers against the governor in Nanded. During an event in Aurangabad, Koshyari said that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was an icon of the “olden days.”

    The comment has triggered a political storm in Maharashtra, with activists of the NCP, Congress, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), and other organisations staging protests for his ouster.

    “The statement made by the governor has intensified people’s anger. This is not limited to one single political party, it is a question of national pride,” the Congress leader said.

    He further claimed that this was not the first time that the governor made such a controversial statement, and said it was inappropriate for a person holding a constitutional post to make such remarks.

    Koshyari must be shifted out of Maharashtra and a new governor should be appointed for the state, Chavan said, adding that any disrespect to Maharashtra will not be tolerated.

    Meanwhile, the Congress’ Aurangabad city and district units staged an agitation at Kranti Chowk in the city demanding that the governor be called back by the President of India.

    “Koshyari should be called back by the President (Droupadi Murmu). The governor has no idea whom to compare Chhatrapati Shivaji with,” district Congress president and former MLA Kalyan Kale said.

    NANDED: Congress leader and former chief minister Ashok Chavan on Tuesday said a new governor should be appointed for Maharashtra and Bhagat Singh Koshyari should be removed from his office for his remark on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

    Chavan was speaking to reporters after an agitation staged by Congress workers against the governor in Nanded. During an event in Aurangabad, Koshyari said that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was an icon of the “olden days.”

    The comment has triggered a political storm in Maharashtra, with activists of the NCP, Congress, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), and other organisations staging protests for his ouster.

    “The statement made by the governor has intensified people’s anger. This is not limited to one single political party, it is a question of national pride,” the Congress leader said.

    He further claimed that this was not the first time that the governor made such a controversial statement, and said it was inappropriate for a person holding a constitutional post to make such remarks.

    Koshyari must be shifted out of Maharashtra and a new governor should be appointed for the state, Chavan said, adding that any disrespect to Maharashtra will not be tolerated.

    Meanwhile, the Congress’ Aurangabad city and district units staged an agitation at Kranti Chowk in the city demanding that the governor be called back by the President of India.

    “Koshyari should be called back by the President (Droupadi Murmu). The governor has no idea whom to compare Chhatrapati Shivaji with,” district Congress president and former MLA Kalyan Kale said.

  • Governor Koshyari’s remark on Shivaji creates stir in Maharashtra

    Express News Service

    MUMBAI:  Maharashtra’s Opposition on Sunday demanded that Bhagat Singh Koshyari step down as the state’s governor over his remark that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is an idol of “olden times”. Attending a function in Aurangabad on Saturday, Koshyari said, “There are so many icons here (in Maharashtra). While Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is of olden time, there are Ambedkar and Nitin Gadkari,” the governor had said.

    Reacting to the statement, the leader of the Opposition Ajit Pawar said that Koshyari has no right to continue in the post. “It is time for Koshyari to reconsider his continuing as state governor. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was a great role model on how to use power for people’s welfare and not self-interest. These ideals have inspired Maharashtra and will continue to do so for time immemorial,” Pawar said.

    Reacting to Koshyari’s comment, BJP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said as long as there is a sun and moon, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj will be their idol and there is no second thought over it. Defending the governor, he further said even Koshyari had no doubts that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is the only idol. “There are various meanings derived from the remarks made by the governor,” he said.

    MUMBAI:  Maharashtra’s Opposition on Sunday demanded that Bhagat Singh Koshyari step down as the state’s governor over his remark that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is an idol of “olden times”. 
    Attending a function in Aurangabad on Saturday, Koshyari said, “There are so many icons here (in Maharashtra). While Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is of olden time, there are Ambedkar and Nitin Gadkari,” the governor had said.

    Reacting to the statement, the leader of the Opposition Ajit Pawar said that Koshyari has no right to continue in the post. “It is time for Koshyari to reconsider his continuing as state governor. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was a great role model on how to use power for people’s welfare and not self-interest. These ideals have inspired Maharashtra and will continue to do so for time immemorial,” Pawar said.

    Reacting to Koshyari’s comment, BJP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said as long as there is a sun and moon, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj will be their idol and there is no second thought over it. Defending the governor, he further said even Koshyari had no doubts that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is the only idol. “There are various meanings derived from the remarks made by the governor,” he said.

  • No one can insult Mumbai, Marathi folk: Shinde on Governor’s remark; Uddhav demands apology

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari’s comments that “Mumbai will have no money” if the Gujaratis and Rajasthanis were to leave triggered a massive controversy on Saturday, forcing Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to state that he disagreed with the governor.

    As Opposition leaders slammed Koshyari and sought apology from him, the governor said his comments were misconstrued.

    Koshyari made the controversial comments during a function to name a chowk (intersection) in suburban Andheri on Friday evening.

    ”I tell people here that if Gujaratis and Rajasthanis are removed from Maharashtra, especially from Mumbai and Thane, you will be left with no money and Mumbai will not be a financial capital,” he said.

    As the comments drew widespread condemnation, Koshyari said on Saturday that the statement was misconstrued, and asked political parties not to create a controversy.

    There was no question of belittling the contribution of Marathi-speaking people and “lauding one community does not mean insulting another,” he said.

    Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray demanded an apology from Koshyari.

    The former chief minister, whose relations with Koshyari were often strained while in office, accused the governor of “dividing” Hindus living in Mumbai and Thane.

    Holding a press conference, Thackeray said, “The hatred that the governor harbours in his mind against the Marathi people has inadvertently come out.

    “Time has come to decide whether to send Koshyari back home or to jail. In the last three years, he has insulted Marathi-speaking people despite staying in Maharashtra. Now with these comments, he has brought disrespect to the governor’s post,” the Sena president said.

    Amid the backlash, Chief Minister Shinde, leader of the rebel Shiv Sena faction, said he disagreed with Koshyari’s remarks.

    Talking to reporters at Malegaon, Shinde said, “We don’t agree with Koshyari’s remarks. It’s his personal view. He has now issued a clarification. He occupies a constitutional post and should take care that his actions do not insult others. The Marathi community’s hard work has contributed to the development and progress of Mumbai. No one can insult Mumbai and Marathi people,” he added.

    Speaking in Dhule, Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis said Marathi-speaking people played a major role in the development and growth of Maharashtra.

    “Even in the industrial sector, Marathi-speaking people have made global strides. We don’t agree with the governor’s remarks,” the former chief minister said.

    ALSO READ | Amid faction war with Uddhav, Eknath Shinde meets senior Shiv Sena leaders, triggers buzz

    State NCP president Jayant Patil said it was unfortunate that the governor has “scant respect for the Marathi-speaking working class due to whose hard work Mumbai progressed and developed.”

    Koshyari doubted Marathi people’s capability to create wealth and this was an insult to Maharashtra, he said.

    State Congress chief Nana Patole said Koshyari’s remarks were outrageous and he had always “insulted Maharashtra through his actions and words.”

    “The Centre should seek Koshyari’s resignation and send him to Gujarat or Rajasthan,” he said.

    Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Ajit Pawar said the governor shouldn’t create unnecessary controversies.

    ALSO READ | Supriya Sule criticises Governor Koshyari for ‘divisive’ remark

    Marathi-speaking people were instrumental in creating the state of Maharashtra with Mumbai as its capital and nation-building was not possible without Maharashtra, the NCP leader said.

    Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut tweeted that the governor wanted to imply that Marathi people and Maharashtra were “beggars.”

    Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray said Koshyari should not make such statements if he was not aware of Maharashtra’s history.

    Outsiders come to the state and start businesses here because Marathi speakers created a conducive atmosphere in the state, Raj said, adding that the governor should not provoke Marathi people.

    MUMBAI: Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari’s comments that “Mumbai will have no money” if the Gujaratis and Rajasthanis were to leave triggered a massive controversy on Saturday, forcing Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to state that he disagreed with the governor.

    As Opposition leaders slammed Koshyari and sought apology from him, the governor said his comments were misconstrued.

    Koshyari made the controversial comments during a function to name a chowk (intersection) in suburban Andheri on Friday evening.

    ”I tell people here that if Gujaratis and Rajasthanis are removed from Maharashtra, especially from Mumbai and Thane, you will be left with no money and Mumbai will not be a financial capital,” he said.

    As the comments drew widespread condemnation, Koshyari said on Saturday that the statement was misconstrued, and asked political parties not to create a controversy.

    There was no question of belittling the contribution of Marathi-speaking people and “lauding one community does not mean insulting another,” he said.

    Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray demanded an apology from Koshyari.

    The former chief minister, whose relations with Koshyari were often strained while in office, accused the governor of “dividing” Hindus living in Mumbai and Thane.

    Holding a press conference, Thackeray said, “The hatred that the governor harbours in his mind against the Marathi people has inadvertently come out.

    “Time has come to decide whether to send Koshyari back home or to jail. In the last three years, he has insulted Marathi-speaking people despite staying in Maharashtra. Now with these comments, he has brought disrespect to the governor’s post,” the Sena president said.

    Amid the backlash, Chief Minister Shinde, leader of the rebel Shiv Sena faction, said he disagreed with Koshyari’s remarks.

    Talking to reporters at Malegaon, Shinde said, “We don’t agree with Koshyari’s remarks. It’s his personal view. He has now issued a clarification. He occupies a constitutional post and should take care that his actions do not insult others. The Marathi community’s hard work has contributed to the development and progress of Mumbai. No one can insult Mumbai and Marathi people,” he added.

    Speaking in Dhule, Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis said Marathi-speaking people played a major role in the development and growth of Maharashtra.

    “Even in the industrial sector, Marathi-speaking people have made global strides. We don’t agree with the governor’s remarks,” the former chief minister said.

    ALSO READ | Amid faction war with Uddhav, Eknath Shinde meets senior Shiv Sena leaders, triggers buzz

    State NCP president Jayant Patil said it was unfortunate that the governor has “scant respect for the Marathi-speaking working class due to whose hard work Mumbai progressed and developed.”

    Koshyari doubted Marathi people’s capability to create wealth and this was an insult to Maharashtra, he said.

    State Congress chief Nana Patole said Koshyari’s remarks were outrageous and he had always “insulted Maharashtra through his actions and words.”

    “The Centre should seek Koshyari’s resignation and send him to Gujarat or Rajasthan,” he said.

    Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Ajit Pawar said the governor shouldn’t create unnecessary controversies.

    ALSO READ | Supriya Sule criticises Governor Koshyari for ‘divisive’ remark

    Marathi-speaking people were instrumental in creating the state of Maharashtra with Mumbai as its capital and nation-building was not possible without Maharashtra, the NCP leader said.

    Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut tweeted that the governor wanted to imply that Marathi people and Maharashtra were “beggars.”

    Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray said Koshyari should not make such statements if he was not aware of Maharashtra’s history.

    Outsiders come to the state and start businesses here because Marathi speakers created a conducive atmosphere in the state, Raj said, adding that the governor should not provoke Marathi people.

  • Supriya Sule criticises Governor Koshyari for “divisive” remark

    By ANI

    NEW DELHI: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Supriya Sule on Saturday termed Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari’s statement that Mumbai would no longer be called the financial capital of the country without Gujaratis and Rajasthanis as “divisive” and claimed he had “defamed” India.

    “Not just Mumbai he has defamed Maharashtra and India. Unity in diversity is what India stands for, we are so proud of all our states and cultures. It is so unfortunate that there is a divisive policy being created. We love all the states because at the core we all are Indians and we are proud of being an India,” Sule remarked.

    She added, “A (person on a) Constitutional post like Governor is creating a divisive policy and I condemn anyone who is diving my country and my state. He is creating a divide between Maharashtrians and Rajasthanis, Gujaratis which is not true. We love all,” she added.

    During a speech at an event held to name a chowk after the late Shantideva Champalalji Kothari in Mumbai’s Andheri on Friday, Koshyari said, “Sometimes I tell people in Maharashtra that if Gujarati and Rajasthani people are removed from here, then you will be left with no money. You call Mumbai the financial capital, but if the people of both these states are not here, then it won’t be called the financial capital.”

    The statement, however, triggered a political storm with many claiming that the sentiments of the Marathi people were hurt and their contribution ignored. Many political leaders including Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray also reacted to the statement.

    Earlier in the day, former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray slammed Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari and said that he had insulted Marathis and their pride and that he was trying to divide the society.

    Uddhav Thackeray said, “I do not want to insult someone sitting on the post of Governor. I respect the chair but Bhagat Singh Koshyari insulted Marathis and there is anger among the people. Governor is trying to divide the society on the basis of religion, he is crossing every limit.”

    “The Governor is the messenger of the President, he takes the message of the President throughout the country. But if he commits mistakes, then who will take action against him? He has insulted the Marathis and their pride,” Uddhav added.

    Earlier, few leaders took to Twitter and reacted to Governor Koshyari’s statement. Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut claimed that Koshyari’s speech was an insult to the people of Maharashtra. He urged Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to condemn the statement.

    “The Marathi man gets insulted as soon as a BJP-sponsored Chief Minister is in power. CM Shinde should, at least, condemn the Governor. This is an insult to Marathi hard-working people,” Raut said in a tweet on Saturday.

    In another tweet, Raut said, “Chief Minister Shinde, are you listening? That your Maharashtra is different. If you have self-respect, then seek the resignation of the governor.”

    NEW DELHI: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Supriya Sule on Saturday termed Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari’s statement that Mumbai would no longer be called the financial capital of the country without Gujaratis and Rajasthanis as “divisive” and claimed he had “defamed” India.

    “Not just Mumbai he has defamed Maharashtra and India. Unity in diversity is what India stands for, we are so proud of all our states and cultures. It is so unfortunate that there is a divisive policy being created. We love all the states because at the core we all are Indians and we are proud of being an India,” Sule remarked.

    She added, “A (person on a) Constitutional post like Governor is creating a divisive policy and I condemn anyone who is diving my country and my state. He is creating a divide between Maharashtrians and Rajasthanis, Gujaratis which is not true. We love all,” she added.

    During a speech at an event held to name a chowk after the late Shantideva Champalalji Kothari in Mumbai’s Andheri on Friday, Koshyari said, “Sometimes I tell people in Maharashtra that if Gujarati and Rajasthani people are removed from here, then you will be left with no money. You call Mumbai the financial capital, but if the people of both these states are not here, then it won’t be called the financial capital.”

    The statement, however, triggered a political storm with many claiming that the sentiments of the Marathi people were hurt and their contribution ignored. Many political leaders including Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray also reacted to the statement.

    Earlier in the day, former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray slammed Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari and said that he had insulted Marathis and their pride and that he was trying to divide the society.

    Uddhav Thackeray said, “I do not want to insult someone sitting on the post of Governor. I respect the chair but Bhagat Singh Koshyari insulted Marathis and there is anger among the people. Governor is trying to divide the society on the basis of religion, he is crossing every limit.”

    “The Governor is the messenger of the President, he takes the message of the President throughout the country. But if he commits mistakes, then who will take action against him? He has insulted the Marathis and their pride,” Uddhav added.

    Earlier, few leaders took to Twitter and reacted to Governor Koshyari’s statement. Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut claimed that Koshyari’s speech was an insult to the people of Maharashtra. He urged Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to condemn the statement.

    “The Marathi man gets insulted as soon as a BJP-sponsored Chief Minister is in power. CM Shinde should, at least, condemn the Governor. This is an insult to Marathi hard-working people,” Raut said in a tweet on Saturday.

    In another tweet, Raut said, “Chief Minister Shinde, are you listening? That your Maharashtra is different. If you have self-respect, then seek the resignation of the governor.”

  • Maharashtra governor writes to Centre for adequate security forces amid protests against rebel MLAs 

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari has written to Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla requesting the adequate provision of Central security forces in the state against the backdrop of shivsainiks vandalising offices of rebel MLAs.

    In his letter dated June 25, Koshyari said he had received a representation from 38 Shiv Sena MLAs, two members of the Prahar Janshakti Party and 7 Independent MLAs stating that the police security of their families had been “illegally and unlawfully withdrawn”.

    A bulk of Shiv Sena MLAs are camping in Guwahati under the leadership of senior party minister Eknath Shinde demanding the exit of the Sena from the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and raising other issues, a development that has threatened the survival of the state government.

    “They have also raised serious concerns about the safety of their homes and families in the context of provocative and threatening statements being made by certain political leaders,” Koshyari wrote.

    The governor said he had already issued directions to the state police to provide adequate police protection to the MLAs and their families on an immediate basis.

    “Despite this, offices and homes of some MLAs have been vandalized with police being a mute spectator. It is accordingly requested that adequate provision of Central security forces be made and kept ready, in case required to address the situation,” he added.

    Earlier on Sunday, the governor was discharged from a hospital in Mumbai after recovering from COVID-19, authorities said.

    A day earlier, rebel leader Eknath Shinde had accused the MVA government of withdrawing security from the residences of 38 party rebels, including himself, and their families, and dubbed the action as “political vendetta”, although Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil denied any such move.

  • Maharashtra Governor discharged from hospital after COVID-19 recovery

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari was discharged from a hospital here on Sunday after recovering from COVID-19, authorities said.

    Koshyari, 80, was admitted to the private hospital in south Mumbai on Wednesday after testing positive for the infection.

    A statement issued by the Raj Bhavan said the governor returned to his official residence after remaining hospitalised for four days.

    In a tweet on Wednesday, the governor had said, “I have tested positive for COVID-19. There are only mild symptoms. However I have been admitted to a Hospital as a precautionary measure.” A day before that, Shiv Sena’s cabinet minister Eknath Shinde had launched a rebellion against his own party, setting off hectic political activities in the state.

    Majority of the Sena legislators have supported Shinde and joined him in Guwahati, where all of them are currently camping.

    Their rebellion has pushed the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government headed by Sena president Uddhav Thackeray to the brink of collapse. NCP and Congress are also part of the ruling combine.

  • Sameer Wankhede’s wife, father meet governor Koshyari, submit complaint against Malik

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: NCB zonal director Sameer Wankhede’s wife Kranti Redkar and father Dnyandev Wankhede on Tuesday met Maharashtra governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari and submitted a complaint against state minister Nawab Malik.

    Speaking to reporters afterwards, Redkar, a former actor, said, “I met governor Koshyari with my father-in-law Dnyandev Wankhede and sister-in-law Yasmeen Wankhede.

    “We submitted a complaint about minister Nawab Malik’s constant attacks on us,” she said.

    They were “humble people” but “family reputation is at stake due to constant attacks,” she added.

    Asked about Koshyari’s response, Redkar said, “He asked us to observe restraint and have patience, saying that truth shall prevail. We got a lot of positivity after meeting him.”

    Malik, the state minority development minister, has levelled several allegations against Sameer Wankhede following the Narcotics Control Bureau’s alleged drug bust on a cruise ship off the Mumbai coast during which actor Shah Rukh Khan’s son Aryan was arrested.

    The NCP leader alleged that Wankhede forged his birth certificate to get government job in the Scheduled Castes quota and concealed that he was born into a Muslim family.

    Malik also accused him of running an extortion racket by falsely implicating people in drug cases.

    Wankhede has denied all charges.

    His father has also filed a defamation case against Malik in the Bombay High Court.

  • Adopt Maharashtra model in Uttarakhand to fight unemployment: Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari

    By PTI

    PITHORAGARH: Uttarakhand’s problem of unemployment can be resolved by adopting the Maharashtra model that promotes agriculture and handicrafts, Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari has said.

    “Farmers in Maharashtra earn well by patenting agricultural products that are unique to the state. Working on the same lines, we too can fetch high prices for rajma and herbs that are produced exclusively in the Himalayan region,” Koshyari, who originally hails from Uttarakhand, told reporters here on Wednesday.

    The issue of unemployment in Uttarakhand can be addressed if onus is laid on rare and organic agricultural produce cultivated here and the Himalayan crafts, he added.

    Koshyari also praised the work done by some NGOs and youths of the state in this direction.

    “We have some highly qualified youths in the state who have shown ways to reduce unemployment by creating a market for Himalayan agri crafts and horticulture produce,” he said.

    The veteran leader denied rumours of him getting back to active politics in the state, saying he has grown old.

  • Governors in non-BJP states are like ‘rogue elephants’ trampling democracy, says Shiv Sena

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: The Shiv Sena on Thursday accused the governors in non-BJP-ruled states, including Maharashtra, of acting like rogue elephants and trampling under their feet democratic constitution, laws and political culture.

    Without taking the name of Maharashtra governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari, the party, in an editorial in its mouthpiece ‘Saamana’ also alleged that the Centre was using governors to destabilise those states that are being ruled by non-BJP parties.

    The Shiv Sena-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government shares an uneasy relationship with governor Koshyari.

    Among other issues, Koshyari has been under fire from the state government over the delay in approving the appointment of 12 MLCs from his quota.

    “The governors in non-BJP-ruled states are like rogue elephants and their mahouts (handlers) are sitting in New Delhi. Such elephants trample democratic processes, laws, political culture under their feet and set new precedence,” the Sena said.

    How appropriate is it that the governors are using all their power to destabilise the state government because it is formed by non-BJP parties, the party asked.

    Such efforts are affecting the unity of the country. It is like playing with fire. But one should remember that in doing so, one’s own hands may get burnt. The use of governor’s post for such work is demolishing the constitutional structure, it added.

    “If some people think that Indian democracy will sustain and flourish by constructing a new parliament complex in the national capital, then they should also pay attention to the screams of the federal governments that have been trampled.

    “The states are not allowed to function properly and the agents of the party in power are given free hand to create chaos in the states,” the Sena alleged.

    “Maharashtra governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari has expressed his concerns over the safety of women and the law and order situation in the state. But why such concern is not expressed by the governors of Uttar Pradesh or Madhya Pradesh. The BJP women MLAs in Maharashtra have raised the same issue. But how come the BJP women legislators from other states are not expressing similar concerns for MP and UP?” it asked.

    Why they are creating so much noise over the issue in Maharashtra? Because the BJP is not in power here, while it rules those in two other states.

    The suspicious death of a seer or attacks on women in UP and MP seems to be purposefully ignored, the Sena said.

    The Uddhav Thackeray-led party also targeted the Union government over providing police protection to those BJP leaders who indulge in “mud-slinging” against the non-BJP-ruled states.

    It was apparently referring to former MP from Mumbai Kirit Somaiya, who was recently given Z category security.

    “Union Home Minister Amit Shah has called for a meeting of chief ministers in various states to discuss ways to tackle growing Naxal activities.

    “However, hundreds of CRPF jawans are deployed in protecting some people who indulge in mud-slinging against some state governments.

    “It is necessary to use such forces (CRPF) against Naxals rather than wasting them on protecting some persons,” the Sena said.

  • Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari pulls down woman cyclist’s mask at function

    By PTI

    PUNE: Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari on Friday pulled down the face mask of a woman cyclist during a function here.

    He flagged off a bicycle rally organized on the occasion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday in the city.

    In a video circulating on social media, Koshyari is seen felicitating one of the woman participants with `Puneri pagadi’, a traditional headgear.

    He is then seen pulling down her mask to her chin, apparently so that photographers and the audience could see her full face.

    When asked by reporters about the incident at another event, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said it would not be appropriate for him to comment on the governor’s actions.

    “He administers oath (of office) to everyone. While administering oath to us, if he asks us to remove the mask, we will have to listen. If we do not, they might say your oath-taking is not valid,” Pawar quipped.