News Analysis India

Tag: CM

  • Shiv Sena: Fadnavis told me in 2019 he will groom Aaditya as next CM and will move to Delhi: Uddhav Thackeray

    Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray has claimed the then chief minister Devendra Fadnavis told him in 2019 that he would groom his son Aaditya Thackeray as the next CM of Maharashtra as part of the power-sharing agreement between their parties. Thackeray also said Fadnavis, a senior BJP leader, had told him that he would move to the Centre in the next two to three years. Addressing a rally in Dharavi on Saturday, Thackeray claimed the then BJP chief Amit Shah had come to ‘Matoshree’, the private residence of the Thackerays, to seek an alliance with Shiv Sena (undivided). “At that time, Fadnavis was made to sit outside the room of late Bal Thackeray while the two leaders (Shah and Thackeray) discussed modalities,” he claimed. It was assured to me that the post of chief minister will be shared for 2.5 years (between BJP and Sena-undivided), he said. AllUttar PradeshMaharashtraTamil NaduWest BengalBiharKarnatakaAndhra PradeshTelanganaKeralaMadhya PradeshRajasthanDelhiOther States”Later, Devendra Fadnavis told me, Uddhav Ji, I will groom Aaditya for 2.5 years. We can make him CM after 2.5 years. I told him (Fadnavis) that he (Aaditya) is just starting his electoral career. Do not put anything like this in his mind,” Thackeray said. When I asked Fadnavis how a senior leader like him would work under Aaditya, he (Fadnavis) said he would move to Delhi, the former CM added. The claim evoked a sharp reaction from Fadnavis, current deputy chief minister in the Mahayuti government of BJP, Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde and NCP led by Ajit Pawar, who said Thackeray has “lost his mind”. “Uddhav Thackeray has become ‘bhramishta’ (delirious). He is hallucinating. Initially, he said Amit Shah promised him a chief ministership in some room. Now he says I promised to make his son a CM. To hide one falsehood, another lie is being told,” Fadnavis said.

    He, however, admitted to having told Thackeray that Aaditya should be trained as he will eventually take control of the party (Shiv Sena) one day.

    “Leave alone making him (Aaditya) a chief minister, I wouldn’t make him even a minister. He (Aaditya) became a minister later (when MVA was in power) which landed the Shiv Sena (UBT) in its current situation today,” Fadnavis said.

    In his speech, Thackeray slammed Fadnavis for his reference to “some room” during his talks with Shah and said the room of Bal Thackeray is like a temple.

    Later Fadnavis posted on X, “We respect late Balasaheb Thackeray because he was always true to his word and never deviated from his ideals. We don’t respect those who sacrificed the ideals of the late leader.”

    “Who are you trying to fool by speaking imagined scripts? You are misleading yourself,” he stated while slamming Thackeray.

    Fadnavis further said that Maharashtra’s “socio-politics” and development is not a “Salim-Javed” script.

    “You have nothing to do with politics and development. So don’t try to get involved in such scripts. You will get a befitting reply,” he said.

    Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said there is a limit to speaking lies.

    “He (Uddhav) wanted to become chief minister. As he couldn’t become a CM when he was part of the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance, he switched sides,” Shinde told reporters, referring to Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (undivided) joining hands with the NCP (undivided) and the Congress after the 2019 assembly elections.

    Notably, a split engineered by Shinde led to the collapse of the Thackeray-led MVA government in June 2022.

  • mamata banerjee: Mamata Banerjee ‘mute spectator’ to violence against women in West Bengal: BJP

    New Delhi: The BJP on Wednesday charged that ‘jungle raj’ prevailed in West Bengal and demanded resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee after the state was rocked by protests and clashes over the claims of sexual harassment of women in the state’s Sandeshkhali area. Addressing a press conference, BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia claimed there is “complete anarchy and lawlessness” in West Bengal under the TMC rule with Chief Minister Banerjee allegedly providing protection to her party goons who allegedly raped and exploited tribal women in Sandeshkhali.

    “There is jungle raj in West Bengal. Our sisters who belong to the scheduled tribes are being raped and assaulted by the TMC goons and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is a mute spectator,” he charged.

    Bhatia said it is clear to every citizen that the rule of law doesn’t exist in West Bengal. “Rather it is the law of anarchic ruler Mamata Banerjee which prevails there,” he said.

    Banerjee has no right to remain in the post and, “If she had even a little bit of shame left , she should immediately tender her resignation,” she said.

    “If you do not resign, don’t underestimate people. You will be uprooted, that is for sure,” the BJP spokesperson added. Bhatia said the BJP will stand shoulder to shoulder with the victims of alleged sexual assault and take their fight for justice forward. The BJP leader alleged that West Bengal government is giving “protection to rapists and weakening police,”

    The situation is so bad that the Calcutta High Court had to take cognisance of it and issue a notice to the state government , he said.

    “Mamata Banerjee has become a ‘bhakshak’ (predator) from a ‘rakshak’ (protector),” Bhatia charged, asking her to step down as chief minister.

    (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)

  • mamata banerjee: If Centre fails, Bengal govt will fund ‘Ghatal Master Plan’: CM Mamata Banerjee

    Kolkata: Accusing the Centre of depriving funds to West Bengal, chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said if the central government does not provide funds, the state will implement the much needed ‘Ghatal Master Plan’ in the next 3-4 years on its own.

    Banerjee announced that ₹1,250 cr will be needed for the Plan and it will help 17 lakh people. Ghatal is a low-lying riverine area in Paschim Medinipur district that gets inundated by floods almost every year.

    The Trinamool chief, while speaking at the constituency of party leader and actor Dev, said, “my brother Dev requested it and I couldn’t ignore it. The Ghatal Master Plan will be implemented in the next 3-4 years and more that 17 lakh people in Ghatal and five adjacent areas will benefit from it.”In 2022, the Centre reportedly approved ₹1,500 cr ‘Ghatal Master Plan’, a project to dredge riverbeds and strengthen embankments of 10 rivers, people in the know said. According to the plan, the Centre was scheduled to bear 60% of the costs. However, the project did not take off.

    (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)

  • Jharkhand floor test: CM Champai Soren-led govt wins trust vote with 47 MLAs support – The Economic Times Video

    The Champai Soren-led government won a vote of confidence in 81-member Jharkhand Assembly on Monday, the first day of the two-day assembly session. The new chief minister was supported by 47 MLAs. A total of 29 MLAs were in opposition. The MLAs of the ruling JMM-led alliance had exuded confidence of winning the floor test, contrary to the opposition BJP’s belief that the coalition would be defeated.

  • CM Yogi congratulates LK Advani for Bharat Ratna, says ‘his works are inspirational for us’ – The Economic Times Video

    Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath congratulated BJP veteran Lal Krishna Advani as PM Modi announced Bharat Ratna for former party president. “The decision of conferring Bharat Ratna to LK Advani is appreciable. For decades of work, commitment and nationalism, India’s highest civilian award will honour his legacy. His works are inspirational for us,” said CM Yogi.

  • ram mandir: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee condemns Babri Masjid demolition

    Kolkata: Trinamool Supremo Mamata Banerjee slammed BJP for resorting to vote bank politics ahead of elections and dividing votes on the basis of religion, hinting at Ram Temple consecration ceremony on Monday. Banerjee condemned the Babri Masjid demolition and divisive politics and spoke about religious inclusiveness.

    The Trinamool Supremo kicked off a ‘harmony procession’ on Monday after offering puja to Goddess Kali at Kalighat Temple, on the day of ‘pran pratishtha’ in Ram Temple at Ayodhya.

    “When the election comes, a group of people try to sell the country for the sake of votebank. You (BJP without naming them) are doing politics in time of election…Where were they (BJP) when Babri Masjid was demolished and people died here. Many areas in Kolkata were burning. I provided relief to people voluntarily and helped both Hindu and Muslims. This is history and reality which youth must know,” Mamata Banerjee said while speaking at a public rally following the harmony procession.

  • In a security breach, man gets into Mamata’s residence & lingers for hours before being held

    Express News Service

    KOLKATA: In a security breach at chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s residence, a Z category security zone in south Kolkata’s Kalighat, a man in his mid-40s was found beside the CM’s official vehicle on Sunday morning. The suspect was handed over to the local police station. The police are questioning the accused to ascertain whether he is mentally unsound.

    Senior police officials, including commissioner of police Vineet Goyal, visited the CM’s residence and reviewed the security arrangement. ‘’We have tightened the security ring around the CM’s residence following the incident of trespassing,’’ said Murli Dhar, the joint commissioner of police (crime).   

    Preliminary investigation revealed the man entered the premises of Mamata’s residence in the wee hours of Sunday.

    “During interrogation, the person admitted that he climbed up the boundary wall of CM’s residence around 1 am and spent the rest of the night hiding at the place where the vehicle was parked. We are surprised to know how did he breach the security and hoodwink the vigil of police personnel,’’ said a senior police officer.

    The officer said police were interrogating the suspect to ascertain the intention of the trespassing.

    “We are also interrogating the police personnel who was on duty at the CM’s residence,’’ said the officer.   

    Recently, an elderly couple was murdered in the same area raising questions about the security arrangement in the locality where the CM resides.   

  • CM Channi requests Jaishankar to make arrangements for safe evacuation of Indians from Ukraine 

    By PTI

    CHANDIGARH: Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Friday wrote to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, requesting that the central government makes immediate arrangements for the safe evacuation of Indians, including Punjabis, stuck in Ukraine following a Russian military offensive.

    “I would like to bring to your notice that a number of students and other Punjabis are stranded in Ukraine. Their parents and family members are worried about their safety because of the situation which has developed there. They are facing a number of problems like place to stay, cash crunch, etc. ,” Channi wrote.

    He requested the Centre to make immediate necessary arrangements for the safe evacuation of the Indians, including Punjabis, stuck in Ukraine. He requested the External Affairs Ministry to further intensify its efforts to explore all diplomatic channels to ensure safe return of Indians.

    “While the evacuation may take some time, meanwhile, Govt. of India may ensure safety of these people within Ukraine,” he said. On Thursday, Channi had sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention for the rescue and safe return of Indians, including Punjabis, stuck in Ukraine.

    Former union minister and SAD leader Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Friday urged Jaishankar to take immediate steps to ensure the safety of Punjabi students trapped in Ukraine as well as their safe passage to India. She shared with the government a list of 33 students from Punjab who are studying in various colleges in Ukraine.

    She said there was a likelihood of more Punjabis being stranded in Ukraine, besides people from other states, according to a statement.

    Badal said a concerted effort needed to be taken through the Indian embassy in Ukraine to ensure the safety of the students and Indian nationals there. Badal also reached out separately to Reenat Sandhu, Secretary (West) in the External Affairs Ministry, and requested that all help be extended to Indian students through the embassy in Ukraine.

    Earlier, Aam Aadmi Party’s Punjab chief ministerial candidate Bhagwant Mann too had appealed to the Union government to make arrangements to bring back Indian students safely and had also raised the issue of “multi-fold increase in air ticket prices”.

    Punjab Lok Congress president and former chief minister Amarinder Singh have also urged the Centre “to put all mechanisms in place for the safe and early return of all our nationals stuck there”. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday stressed that India attaches the highest priority to the safe exit and return of its citizens from Ukraine.

  • Punjab polls: Rahul likely to declare Cong’s CM face on Sunday

    By PTI

    CHANDIGARH: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is likely to announce the name of his party’s chief ministerial candidate for the Punjab polls on Sunday, when he visits Ludhiana for a virtual rally, sources said.

    During his last visit to Punjab on January 27, Gandhi had announced that the Congress will soon declare its chief ministerial face for the February 20 election and a decision on it will be taken after consulting the party workers.

    Besides taking feedback from the leaders and workers of the party, Congress is also seeking the opinion of the public on who should be its chief ministerial candidate through an automated call system.

    For the last several weeks, both Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi and state Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu have, directly or indirectly, made a case for themselves to be declared as the party’s nominee for the top post.

    Channi also indicated in his constituency Chamkaur Sahib that the chief ministerial face of the Congress could be declared on Sunday.

    Sidhu’s wife Navjot Kaur Sidhu said irrespective of who becomes the chief minister, her husband is a hero and will remain so. “Navjot Singh Sidhu is a hero and he will remain a hero,” she told reporters in Amritsar. “Whosoever the chief minister may be, it does not matter,” she added.

    ALSO READ: Punjab polls: Rahul likely to announce CM face of Congress during virtual rally in Ludhiana

    She was replying to a question about her husband’s political future if he does not become the chief minister of Punjab. “Whoever is the chief minister, he should listen to his ministers, sign their files and let them do their work. Had (former chief minister) Amarinder Singh done this, nobody would have had any problem with any chief minister,” Navjot Kaur Sidhu said.

    Addressing a virtual rally in Jalandhar last week, Gandhi had said both Channi and Sidhu have assured him that whosoever is chosen as the party’s chief ministerial face, they will stand by the decision. He had said this after Sidhu demanded at the rally that the Congress declare its chief ministerial face for the Punjab polls and said he does not want to be a “showpiece”.

    Channi had then said he was never after any post and would wholeheartedly back the party’s candidate for the top post. Channi replaced Amarinder Singh as the chief minister in September last year. He is the first Scheduled Caste (SC) chief minister of Punjab.

    Polling for the 117-member Punjab Assembly is scheduled to be held on February 20 and the counting of votes will be taken up on March 10.

  • Domar society appealed to CM for help

    Chhattisgarh Domar society has requested the Chief Minister for help on social rights. Domar Samaj president Bharat Kunde and his team met the Chief Minister and expressed their social pain. Drawing attention to the detail on the social backward condition since independence till date, he made his point. Chairman Bharat Kunde said that the Domar society is a society that is constantly struggling for economic reasons. The population of the society is approximately one lakh in Raipur. Even after that, the society does not have a single building of its own, who do not even have a place for social work for the society to hold a cultural meeting, how will they do their program. He said that all these things bring backward society.