News Analysis India

Tag: MVA government

  • ‘Attack’ on Sharad Pawar’s residence orchestrated by those for whom MVA government has become ‘eyesore’: Sanjay Raut

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Friday said an “invisible force” could be behind the MSRTC workers’ surprise protest outside NCP chief Sharad Pawar’s residence here.

    In an apparent swipe at the BJP, he said it was orchestrated by those for whom the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress `MVA’ coalition government in Maharashtra is an “eyesore”.

    The “attack” on Pawar’s residence was unfortunate and it must be ascertained who was behind it, Raut told reporters here.

    “The government took all the steps and held discussions to resolve the MSRTC strike. Almost all demands of the employees have been met, but still an invisible force is trying to vitiate the environment.

    A group is incited to undertake acts like the one that happened today,” the Sena leader said.

    “Those for whom the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition government has become an eyesore are trying to orchestrate such acts,” he said in an apparent reference to the BJP.

    Over a hundred striking workers of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) staged angry protests outside Pawar’s residence in south Mumbai on Friday afternoon, accusing the veteran leader of not doing anything to help them.

    The police too were caught by surprise by this sudden protest.

    Raut also said the way the protesters responded to Pawar’s daughter Supriya Sule when she tried to talk with them did not behove democratic traditions.

    “These people’s leaders have to be found out,” he added.

  • MVA government must give half of share for development of railways: Union Minister Raosaheb Danve

    By PTI

    JALNA: Union Minister Raosaheb Danve on Saturday said for development of the railways in Maharashtra, the Maha Vikas Aghadi government has to contribute 50 per cent of its share for projects. The Union minister of state for railways was speaking at the inauguration of railway electrification from Manmad to Mudkhed at Jalna railway station.

    Danve inaugurated the sub-station and electric pole for railway electrification from Manmad to Mudkhed.

    Union Minister of State for finance Dr Bhagwat Karad, MP Sanjay Jadhav, MLAs Kailash Gorantyal, Santosh Danve, Narayan Kuche, Atul Save and Prashant Bamb and railway and district officials were present at the function.

    There are demands for railway development from various quarters in the state. The Centre is ready to bring railway projects and new lines, but as per policy, the state has to contribute 50 per cent of its share, Danve said.

    The minister further said that the works on the much-awaited Nagpur-Mumbai bullet train will soon begin as the development project report (DPR) will be issued in a few days. “With this, commuters from Mumbai to Aurangabad will cover the distance in just 1 hour and 40 minutes. To reduce carbon emission, the Centre has planned electrification of railways across the country,” he said.

    Speaking about development of railway stations across the country, Danve said at least 75 railway stations, including Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, will be developed in the first phase. He further said that the Railways has taken up the dedicated freight corridor (DFC) project to improve efficiency and fast movement of freight transportation system.

    The project involves the construction of six freight corridors traversing the entire country. Union Minister of State for Finance Dr Karad demanded that the Nanded railway division be connected to the Central railway, as the South-Central Railway neglects the Marathwada region.

  • Uddhav government to double hike for Marathi degree holders in BMC

    By Express News Service

    MUMBAI: Ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation polls, the Maharashtra government has cleared the proposal of the Shiv Sena-run civic body for giving double increment to the employees of the civic body who are graduates in Marathi. 

    The BMC wants to promote Marathi at the workplace. The urban development ministry of Eknath Shinde approved this decision recently to woo the Marathi voters ahead of the BMC elections.  In BMC, more than one lakh people are engaged in various departments.

    The Corporation will go polls in February next year. In 2017, the BJP gave a close fight to the Sena which managed to retain power, even though it failed to win a simple majority in the house of 227 In 2011, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) had tabled a proposal to give double increments to the civic employees who cleared their post-graduation in Marathi literature. The then BMC commissioner, Jairaj Pathak, had passed the proposal that aimed to make the civic body’s functioning ‘100% Marathi’.

    However, with the proposed implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission putting a strain on the civic body’s resources, the BMC had no option but to scrap Pathak’s plan. The civic body had to roll back its decision in 2012 to award double increments to postgraduates in Marathi. The withdrawal of these special pay-hikes affected over 1,000 employees who had enrolled in correspondence courses to avail of the special offer.

    After the announcement of the scheme, all the engineers, doctors and fourth-class employees had also enrolled themselves for post-graduation in Marathi literature. The double increment decision was halted again in 2018. However, it has again been proposed ahead of the BMC polls in 2022.

    Resource crunchThe civic body had to roll back its decision in 2012 to award double increments. The withdrawal of these hikes had affected over 1,000 employees

  • Backstabber Sharad Pawar can’t be our guru; MVA government just adjustment: Sena leader Anant Geete

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Former Union minister and Shiv Sena leader Anant Geete has said NCP chief Sharad Pawar who had “backstabbed” Congress to form his party cannot be a “guru” for Shivsainiks.

    He also said the tripartite Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government of Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress is just an “adjustment”.

    Pawar is considered the architect and anchor of the MVA government which came to power after the 2019 Assembly elections following a fallout between Sena and BJP, who had shared power from 2014 to 2019.

    Addressing a public rally in his home turf Raigad on Monday, Geete said, “Sharad Pawar cannot ever be our leader as this government (MVA) is mere an adjustment. Let people use as many accolades for Pawar but our ‘guru’ is only (late) Balasaheb Thackeray”.

    “As long as this government is functioning, it will go on. If we separate, our home is Shiv Sena and we will always stick with our party,” Geete added.

    Geete, a former MP from Raigad, also said he didn’t harbour any “ill-intention” towards the Sena-headed government and wanted it to succeed.

    “Pawar had formed his party by backstabbing Congress. If Congress and NCP cannot become one, the Shiv Sena also cannot toe the Congress policy entirely. Congress and NCP were not cordial always,” the Sena leader said.

    The NCP was formed on May 25, 1999, by Sharad Pawar, P.A.Sangma, and Tariq Anwar after they were expelled from the Indian National Congress (INC) for disputing the right of Italy-born Sonia Gandhi to lead the party.

    The NCP later became part of the Congress-led UPA governments at the Centre in which Pawar served as Agriculture Minister.

    In Maharashtra also the Congress and NCP shared power till 2014 when the Aghadi government was defeated by the BJP.

    Geete had served as Union Minister for Heavy Industries after the 2014 polls when the Sena was part of the National Democratic Alliance.

    In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, he lost to his NCP rival Sunil Tatkare by a thin margin.

    Tatkare’s daughter Aditi is currently a minister of state in the MVA government.

  • BJP using ED, CBI to threaten Maharashtra government: Shiv Sena

    By ANI

    MUMBAI: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is using the central agencies like Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to threaten the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in Maharashtra, alleged Saamana editorial on Tuesday.

    The Shiv Sena’s mouthpiece said that BJP leaders in Maharashtra think that central investigation agencies like ED, CBI are in their pockets and at their behest, they can threaten political opponents.

    “BJP state president Chandrakant Dada Patil has threatened Hasan Mushrif of Kolhapur that while fighting ED he will start foaming from his mouth. Former MP Kirit Somaiya has made some allegations against Hasan Mushrif. These allegations must have been made at the behest of Chandrakant Patil,” it said.

    The editorial alleged that BJP’s only policy is to stop the development of the state and create panic by making baseless allegations. “From the Governor to the Leader of Opposition, everyone is behaving like an enemy to the Maharashtra government. The Thackeray government of Maharashtra is not falling even after the ‘central’ pressure, so the foam coming out of the opposition here is clearly visible,” it said.

    Saamana said no one in the state takes BJP’s Chandrakant Patil seriously and he is doing the work of defaming the central agencies while adding that people will lose faith in ED or CBI due to his behaviour.

    “Patil said the present government does not even have the skill to consume money. Patil says, he has that skill as a former minister and in this context, he would have done ‘PhD’. Therefore, the ED should once take account of the money consumed by Patil and other former ministers,” the Editorial said.

    Slamming the central government, the mouthpiece said that the Centre mocks itself by providing ‘Z’ category security to the persons who level allegations against the Maharashtra ministers or the state government. 

  • Time has come to unearth corruption of erstwhile Devendra Fadnavis govt: Congress

    Responding to a query, the Congress leader said the MVA government of Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress will last its full term and BJP #39;s dream of returning to power will never come true.

  • BJP workers stage protests against Maharashtra government for not reopening temples

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Workers and leaders of the opposition BJP on Monday staged protests in several cities in Maharashtra against the MVA government’s stand to not reopen temples as of now, which remain shut due to COVID-19 restrictions.

    At many places, social distancing norms were not adhered to while staging demonstrations. The protests, organised by the Aadhyatmik Aghadi (spiritual wing) of the BJP, were held in Pune, Mumbai, Nashik, Nagpur, Pandharpur, Aurangabad and other places where agitators rang bells and blew conches.

    In Pune and Aurangabad, BJP workers tried to force their way into closed temples but were stopped by the police.

    Honourable BJP Leader and Ex finance minister @SMungantiwar ji , @BJP4Mumbai Vice President aacharya @pawantripathi_ ji , Shri Pramod Mishra led Shankhanad Andolan at Historic Babulnath Temple in Mumbai against MVA Govt to open Temples #TalibaniMVA pic.twitter.com/rRas520Pvk
    — Pratik Karpe (@CAPratikKarpe) August 30, 2021
    Maharashtra BJP president Chandrakant Patil, who led the protest in Pune city, questioned the state government’s rationale behind allowing liquor and other shops to function but not extending the similar relaxation to temples and other places of worship.

    “Is fear of a projected third wave of the pandemic doesn’t apply for liquor outlets and other shops? Does coronavirus talk to them (the government) and says it will strike only if temples are reopened ?” Patil asked.

    He alleged the ruling Shiv Sena Sena was not allowing temples to reopen to “please its allies- Congress and NCP”. In Mumbai, former minister and senior BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar led a demonstration at the famous Babulnath temple.

    However, police stopped the protestors from going near the temple. Mungantiwar told reporters that temples were open in the rest of the country but Maharashtra.

    Queried about the Central guidelines asking states to ensure that public gatherings are avoided in view of the upcoming festivals, Mungantiwar shot back asking, “Did the Centre ask to allow liquor shops to function and close temples? Did the state government take action against Shiv Sainiks who had protested against Union minister Narayan Rane? Local trains are open for fully vaccinated people. Why the same criterion cannot be applied and temples reopened?”

    Meanwhile, activists of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) staged a protest in neighbouring Thane against the state government’s decision to not allow Dahi Handi celebrations on Tuesday. Maharashtra Congress spokesman Sachin Sawant, however, lashed out at the BJP saying the saffron party is “playing with the lives of devotees and don’t care for the Central government’s directives”.

    “People should be cautious and stay away from leaders and workers of the BJP as they may be carriers of coronavirus. Chandrakant Patil and others didn’t wear face masks,” he claimed.

  • Why temples not reopened in Maharashtra? asks Anna Hazare assuring support for protest

    By PTI

    PUNE: Social activist Anna Hazare has questioned the Maharashtra government’s stand to not reopen temples in the state and said he would extend his support if agitation is held for lifting curbs on temples.

    Hazare pointed out “big queues” outside liquor shops to question the MVA government’s refusal to reopen temples.

    Speaking in Ralegan Siddhi village in the Ahmednagar district on Saturday, Hazare said a delegation of some people demanding reopening of temples had met him.

    ​ALSO READ | Maharashtra promises Covid orphan benefits at doorsteps

    “Why the state government is not opening temples? What danger the state government sees in opening temples for people? If COVID-19 is the reason, then there are big queues outside liquor shops,” he said.

    Hazare, 84, said he had assured the delegation of his support and told them that he will be with them if they stage an agitation demanding reopening of temples.

    The Uddhav Thackeray-led government reopened many sectors and also allowed common people, who are fully vaccinated, to travel in local trains in Mumbai as the coronavirus scenario improved over weeks.

    ALSO READ | Maharashtra makes negative RT-PCR report must for international passengers on arrival

    However, the state government is still wary about reopening religious places fearing the spread of coronavirus especially when a third wave of the pandemic is being projected.

    Notably, the opposition BJP has been demanding that temples be reopened for people.

    Maharashtra on Saturday reported 4,831 new coronavirus cases and 126 deaths, taking the infection tally to 64,52,273 and death toll to 1,37,026, a state health department official had said.

  • Rahul Gandhi’s meeting with Sanjay Raut strengthens Uddhav Thackeray government

    Express News Service
    MUMBAI: Shiv Sena leader and Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut’s one-on-one meeting with former Congress president Rahul Gandhi in Delhi is expected to give a renewed fillip to the Uddhav Thackeray government in Maharashtra.

    According to highly-placed sources in the Congress, when the Maha Vikas Aghadi formation was being floated, among Gandhi family members it was Rahul Gandhi who was most reluctant to join hands with the Shiv Sena and worried about the repercussions.

    “In the various meetings during that time in Delhi, we were able to convince Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, but Rahul Gandhi was adamant and not in favour of the three-party Maha Vikas Aghadi in Maharashtra. He did not want to compromise the secular ideology of Congress by joining hands with a former ally of BJP. However, all Congress MLAs had made up their mind to form the government to keep the BJP out of power. The pressure from his own party’s elected representatives made him yield and the Thackeray government was formed,” said the source.

    ALSO READ | Sena’s focus on big-ticket projects ahead of BMC polls

    He further added that Rahul Gandhi did not attend the swearing-in ceremony of Uddhav Thackeray as chief minister at Shivaji Park despite an official call from Uddhav and Aditya Thackeray. 

    “Since that day, Rahul Gandhi has not come to Maharashtra. And many fear that Rahul Gandhi may one day seek to pull the plug on the Thackeray government. But the way his bonhomie with Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut has ended all speculations now,” said a senior Congress leader requesting anonymity.

    Sanjay Raut said that the meeting went well. 

    “Rahul Gandhi wanted to understand several things about Maharashtra politics. We had very candid discussions on various issues. He had no hatred against anyone. In fact, he was curious to know about our Sena supremo Balasaheb Thackeray’s personality and working style. He enquired about how Balasaheb Thackeray expanded and strengthened his party’s base,” Raut said.

    ALSO READ | Maharashtra floods damage prized collection at 156-year-old library

    Raut also that very soon Rahul Gandhi will visit Maharashtra. “Rahul Gandhi has not come to Maharashtra since the formation of Maha Vikas Aghadi. Therefore he will soon come to Maharashtra. We have decided to meet frequently in future as well,” Raut informed.

    Sources in Shiv Sena said Gandhi family members are open and candid, but communicating with them was an issue. 

    “Earlier, Ahmed Patel was the point person for us to approach the Congress leadership, then Rajeev Satav. Now, both are no more. So, we had to open the dialogue channel directly by approaching Rahul Gandhi. Raut and Rahul Gandhi are now comfortable talking to each other. This is a good sign for the Maha Vikas Aghadi. So, we will see lesser cribbing from Congress leaders,” he added, requesting anonymity.

  • NCP says MVA allies kept in loop about Pawar-Modi meeting in Delhi

    By PTI
    MUMBAI: The NCP on Saturday said that party chief Sharad Pawar’s meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi earlier in the day was a scheduled one to discuss amendments to the Banking Regulation Act, among other things, and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) allies were aware of it.

    Addressing a press conference, NCP spokesperson and Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik said that AICC general secretary H K Patil was told about this scheduled meeting when he and other Congress leaders met Pawar in Mumbai recently.

    “Even Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray was apprised of this meeting,” he added.

    The NCP shares power with the Shiv Sena and the Congress in Maharashtra as part of the MVA government that was formed after the 2019 Assembly elections.

    Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) tweeted a picture of the meeting between Pawar and Modi that lasted nearly an hour, during which they held talks on a number of issues.

    Malik said, “Amendments to Banking Regulation Act would hurt the co-operative sector banks since more powers were given to the RBI and while cooperative banks faced restrictions in power.

    Cooperation is a state subject… Pawar has been discussing the issue with all the stakeholders.”

    “He (Pawar) had spoken to the PM over phone and it was decided to meet whenever he is in Delhi,” he said. The NCP leader said that Pawar also raised the issue of COVID-19 handling and the process of vaccination during the meeting.

    “Yesterday, CM Uddhav Thackeray had told the PM that a national policy to stop crowding at public places should be framed,” he said.

    Malik, however, rejected reports that Pawar had met BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis in Delhi.

    Meanwhile, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut, who is in Delhi, told reporters that he wasn’t aware of any meeting between Pawar and Fadnavis.

    “There is no politics in Pawar-Modi meeting. There can be discussions on various issues other than politics,” Raut said.

    Meanwhile, the NCP also released a letter written by Pawar to Modi, in which he has said that although the objectives behind the amendments to the Banking Regulation Act are laudable, they do little to promote the well-being and growth of the cooperative sector.

    Pawar submitted the letter to Modi during their meeting on Saturday.

    “You recently advised the rural youth to engage in micro, small and medium-size businesses along with their farming activities so as to make them ‘atmanirbhar’ under the adverse climatic conditions.

    The cooperative banks can contribute to this cause since they have expertise of lending to these first time borrowers and contribute more than 23 percent of their advances of Rs 3.04 lakh crore to small and micro industries, he said.

    “The growth of this sector is crucial to the holistic development of the country and all efforts should be made to encourage this sector,” the former Union minister added.

    “The aims and objectives of the amended Act are well-intentioned and many provisions are necessary.

    The erring board and management must definitely be acted upon strictly and depositors’ interest should be protected, but at the same time it should be ensured that while doing so, the cooperative principles laid down in the Constitution are not sacrificed at the altar of over-zealous regulation,” Pawar said in the letter.