News Analysis India

Tag: Nationalist Congress Party

  • Who Benefits From Shinde-Sena Vs Sena-UBT And NCP-Ajit Vs NCP-Sharad Battle In Maharashtra? |

    The Election Commission of India yesterday ruled in favour of the Ajit Pawar faction terming it the real Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). The order came as a setback for Sharad Pawar as his party is set to challenge the order in the Supreme Court. However, it’s the BJP which may emerge as a winner in the battle of Shiv Sena and NCP. The BJP has allied with both the rebel factions – Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde and NCP led by Ajit Pawar. This will boost the party’s prospects in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls 2024. Maharashtra has 48 Lok Sabha seats and it will be crucial in BJP’s mission ‘Abki Bar 400 Paar’.

    With the recent political developments in Bihar, the BJP has already got an upper hand there and now it’s trying to better its poll prospects in Maharashtra. In the 2019 Maharashtra Lok Sabha elections, the BJP won 23 out of the 48 seats. At that time, Shiv Sena was its ally, and it secured 18 seats. Thus the NDA had bagged 40 of the 48 seats. But since Uddhav Thackeray left the NDA and joined the Congress-NCP alliance, the BJP has recalibrated its strategy this time, sidelining Shiv Sena-UBT and Sharad Pawar-led NCP. With the NCP and Shiv Sena already splitting into two factions, the BJP stands to gain the seats where it has been traditionally weak earlier against NCP and Shiv Sena.

    Sharad Pawar, who separated from Congress to form the NCP in 1999, is now at the centre of a political storm. The recent political developments, including Ajit Pawar’s rebellion and NCP’s affiliation with Congress, have created uncertainty about how Sharad Pawar will lead the new party forward. While it is certain that Ajit Pawar’s entry and his leadership may attract the youth, the future remains uncertain.

    Sharad Pawar is still active in politics, but his influence is limited to certain regions. With the departure of prominent leaders like Praful Patel and Chhagan Bhujbal, even his nephews joining politics has left a gap in his leadership. The split in the massive vote bank of the NCP is likely to benefit the BJP-led coalition. Sharad Pawar has mentioned bringing in new faces to the party, but for now, his nephew seems to be dominating the political scene.

    The split between Shiv Sena and NCP has significantly benefited the BJP. Not only did they come to power in the state, but they also weakened the opposition considerably. BJP’s leaders have gained a strong foothold. The impact of this realignment will be evident in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. However, it’s likely that Ajit Pawar’s NCP, if pitched against Sharad Pawar in the latter’s stronghold may not do well in some of those seats. Opposite to that, Eknath Shinde led Shiv Sena is likely to do better against Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena because traditionally the Shiv Sena supporters have been against the Congress.

    The alliance with NCP in Maharashtra is expected to benefit the BJP in various regions, especially in western Maharashtra, where NCP has had a stronghold. The BJP’s strategy, if successful, could lead to achieving its goal of 45 seats and further consolidating its position in the state. The alliances with Shiv Sena and NCP may pave the way for an easier accomplishment of the “Mission 400+” in the upcoming elections.

  • Religious colour being given to small incidents in Maharashtra: Sharad Pawar

    By PTI

    AURANGABAD: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar on Wednesday claimed that small incidents in Maharashtra were being given a “religious colour”, which was not a good sign.

    He also claimed that there is currently an “anti-BJP” wave and people of the country want a change considering results of the recent Assembly polls in Karnataka.

    If this mindset of people continues, the country will witness a change in the forthcoming elections, Pawar said at a press meet here.

    The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) faced defeat in the recently held Assembly elections in Karnataka, where the Congress came back to power after a gap of five years.

    The Lok Sabha elections are due in 2024, and the Maharashtra Assembly polls are also due in the later part of next year.

    Pawar said, “Looking at the scenario, I think there is an anti-BJP wave going on. Considering the Karnataka election results, people are in the mood for a change. If this mentality of people continues, there will be a change in the country in the forthcoming elections. There is no need of any astrologer to tell this.”

    Asked about the possibility that the Lok Sabha and Maharashtra Assembly polls may be held simultaneously, the NCP chief said many people from his party and allies are also of the same view.

    “But, I don’t think so. Considering the results of the Karnataka Assembly polls, I don’t think rulers of the country will fall into a mess of conducting the state Assembly elections along with the Lok Sabha polls. They will only focus on the Lok Sabha polls,” Pawar said.

    On the ‘Telangana model’ (of giving financial assistance to farmers) being promoted in Maharashtra, Pawar said, “The Telangana model has to be checked. But, Telangana is a small state and announcing such an aid in a small state can be done. But, I feel more funds should be spent on infrastructure works (related to farming).”

    Asked about the law and order situation and some incidents of violence in Maharashtra in the recent past, Pawar claimed “religious colour” was being given to some small issues in the state.

    “The rulers are responsible to establish law and order in the state. If the ruling parties and their people come out on roads over it and create a rift between two religions, then it is not a good sign,” he said.

    If a poster (of some person) is shown in Aurangabad, why there is a need for violence in Pune. But it is being made to happen, he claimed.

    “Recently we heard about Ahmednagar. Today, I saw a news from Kolhapur. People came out on roads, and giving religious colour to a small incident of sending message over phone is not a good sign. The ruling parties are encouraging such things,” Pawar alleged.

    Asked who is his favourite minister at the Centre in view of the Narendra Modi government having completed nine years, Pawar said, “There are some whose work is indisputable. For example, Nitin Gadkari. He doesn’t keep a party angle (in his work). If we take an issue to him, he checks its importance and not the person telling about it.”

    The NCP chief also expressed concern over agriculture-related issues in the state.

    “The situation of cotton-producing farmers is serious. Cotton has to be purchased. It is not done, farmers have to decide to come out on the road and the NCP will be behind them,” he said.

    Pawar said the government’s perspective is not as positive as it has to be.

    The quota (for export) is not decided and on the other side, sugar prices are coming down.

    The ongoing economics is not beneficial for agriculture producers, he said.

    AURANGABAD: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar on Wednesday claimed that small incidents in Maharashtra were being given a “religious colour”, which was not a good sign.

    He also claimed that there is currently an “anti-BJP” wave and people of the country want a change considering results of the recent Assembly polls in Karnataka.

    If this mindset of people continues, the country will witness a change in the forthcoming elections, Pawar said at a press meet here.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) faced defeat in the recently held Assembly elections in Karnataka, where the Congress came back to power after a gap of five years.

    The Lok Sabha elections are due in 2024, and the Maharashtra Assembly polls are also due in the later part of next year.

    Pawar said, “Looking at the scenario, I think there is an anti-BJP wave going on. Considering the Karnataka election results, people are in the mood for a change. If this mentality of people continues, there will be a change in the country in the forthcoming elections. There is no need of any astrologer to tell this.”

    Asked about the possibility that the Lok Sabha and Maharashtra Assembly polls may be held simultaneously, the NCP chief said many people from his party and allies are also of the same view.

    “But, I don’t think so. Considering the results of the Karnataka Assembly polls, I don’t think rulers of the country will fall into a mess of conducting the state Assembly elections along with the Lok Sabha polls. They will only focus on the Lok Sabha polls,” Pawar said.

    On the ‘Telangana model’ (of giving financial assistance to farmers) being promoted in Maharashtra, Pawar said, “The Telangana model has to be checked. But, Telangana is a small state and announcing such an aid in a small state can be done. But, I feel more funds should be spent on infrastructure works (related to farming).”

    Asked about the law and order situation and some incidents of violence in Maharashtra in the recent past, Pawar claimed “religious colour” was being given to some small issues in the state.

    “The rulers are responsible to establish law and order in the state. If the ruling parties and their people come out on roads over it and create a rift between two religions, then it is not a good sign,” he said.

    If a poster (of some person) is shown in Aurangabad, why there is a need for violence in Pune. But it is being made to happen, he claimed.

    “Recently we heard about Ahmednagar. Today, I saw a news from Kolhapur. People came out on roads, and giving religious colour to a small incident of sending message over phone is not a good sign. The ruling parties are encouraging such things,” Pawar alleged.

    Asked who is his favourite minister at the Centre in view of the Narendra Modi government having completed nine years, Pawar said, “There are some whose work is indisputable. For example, Nitin Gadkari. He doesn’t keep a party angle (in his work). If we take an issue to him, he checks its importance and not the person telling about it.”

    The NCP chief also expressed concern over agriculture-related issues in the state.

    “The situation of cotton-producing farmers is serious. Cotton has to be purchased. It is not done, farmers have to decide to come out on the road and the NCP will be behind them,” he said.

    Pawar said the government’s perspective is not as positive as it has to be.

    The quota (for export) is not decided and on the other side, sugar prices are coming down.

    The ongoing economics is not beneficial for agriculture producers, he said.

  • Sharad Pawar does a U-turn, to stay as NCP chief

    Express News Service

    MUMBAI: After all the drama, NCP supremo Sharad Pawar on Friday withdrew his resignation, checkmating nephew Ajit Pawar’s ambitions to align the party with the BJP. Significantly, Ajit was missing when Pawar senior announced the withdrawal of his resignation.

    Along with Ajit, powerful MLAs like Dilip Walse Patil, Chhagan Bhujbal and Dhananjay Munde, wanted to join hands with the BJP to enjoy power while staying out of the radar of central probe agencies. But Pawar Saheb refused to budge, said a well-placed source.

    Since Ajit kept pestering him, Sharad Pawar called a meeting of his family members that included spouse Pratibha Pawar and daughter Supriya Sule to discuss the way forward.

    That was when it was decided that Sharad Pawar will step down and Supriya will handle the party at the national level while Ajit would do so at the state level.

    “It was meant to insulate Sharad Pawar from the fallout of Ajit’s plan to ally with the BJP,” the source said.

    While Ajit wanted him to quit, Supriya was against it. A panel that discussed the resignation, passed a one-line resolution asking Pawar to withdraw it. Later in the evening, he accepted their decision. 

    Speaking at a press conference, Pawar, who had sprung a surprise by announcing his resignation three days ago, said he could not disrespect the sentiments of his colleagues and party workers who insisted that he withdraw his decision.

    “I cannot disrespect their feelings. I am overwhelmed by the love, trust and faith showered on me. Considering the appeals made by all of you, and honouring the decision of the committee constituted by the party, I am withdrawing my decision to retire,” the veteran politician said amid a thunderous round of applause.

    “I will also work vigorously for the growth of the organisation and take our ideology and goals of the party to the people,” he added. 

    READ MORE:

    Sharad Pawar blames Congress for his nephew’s revolt against the party in 2019

    Uddhav failed to quell revolt, surrendered with no effort to save govt: Sharad Pawar

    MUMBAI: After all the drama, NCP supremo Sharad Pawar on Friday withdrew his resignation, checkmating nephew Ajit Pawar’s ambitions to align the party with the BJP. Significantly, Ajit was missing when Pawar senior announced the withdrawal of his resignation.

    Along with Ajit, powerful MLAs like Dilip Walse Patil, Chhagan Bhujbal and Dhananjay Munde, wanted to join hands with the BJP to enjoy power while staying out of the radar of central probe agencies. But Pawar Saheb refused to budge, said a well-placed source.

    Since Ajit kept pestering him, Sharad Pawar called a meeting of his family members that included spouse Pratibha Pawar and daughter Supriya Sule to discuss the way forward.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    That was when it was decided that Sharad Pawar will step down and Supriya will handle the party at the national level while Ajit would do so at the state level.

    “It was meant to insulate Sharad Pawar from the fallout of Ajit’s plan to ally with the BJP,” the source said.

    While Ajit wanted him to quit, Supriya was against it. A panel that discussed the resignation, passed a one-line resolution asking Pawar to withdraw it. Later in the evening, he accepted their decision. 

    Speaking at a press conference, Pawar, who had sprung a surprise by announcing his resignation three days ago, said he could not disrespect the sentiments of his colleagues and party workers who insisted that he withdraw his decision.

    “I cannot disrespect their feelings. I am overwhelmed by the love, trust and faith showered on me. Considering the appeals made by all of you, and honouring the decision of the committee constituted by the party, I am withdrawing my decision to retire,” the veteran politician said amid a thunderous round of applause.

    “I will also work vigorously for the growth of the organisation and take our ideology and goals of the party to the people,” he added. 

    READ MORE:

    Sharad Pawar blames Congress for his nephew’s revolt against the party in 2019

    Uddhav failed to quell revolt, surrendered with no effort to save govt: Sharad Pawar

  • Was unwell, says Ajit Pawar; berates media for speculation over his absence on Friday

    By PTI

    PUNE: Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar on Saturday said he cancelled his programmes for Friday as he was unwell after long tours across Maharashtra over the past few days and asked the media to not speculate on such issues as it caused confusion.

    “I was unwell so I cancelled tours and events scheduled for Friday. Over the past few days, I have travelled across Maharashtra and have not got enough rest. Due to lack of proper sleep, pulmonary irritation was also on the rise. I took medicines and took rest at home as advised by the doctor,” he said.

    “I too am human and might face health issues. The media must stop speculating during such times and verify before publishing any news. We are public figures but it is wrong to defame us in this manner,” he added.

    He was speaking after inaugurating a jewellery shop in Pimpri in Pune district on Saturday along with his wife.

    When NCP chief Sharad Pawar was asked by media about Ajit Pawar’s “absence” and not being reachable on phone, he said, “What does that mean? Supriya Sule may not be reachable to you but she is at home.”

    Pawar’s cancellation of programmes and the fact that he was unreachable on phone gave rise to speculation on Friday about his next move among some political circles.

    PUNE: Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar on Saturday said he cancelled his programmes for Friday as he was unwell after long tours across Maharashtra over the past few days and asked the media to not speculate on such issues as it caused confusion.

    “I was unwell so I cancelled tours and events scheduled for Friday. Over the past few days, I have travelled across Maharashtra and have not got enough rest. Due to lack of proper sleep, pulmonary irritation was also on the rise. I took medicines and took rest at home as advised by the doctor,” he said.

    “I too am human and might face health issues. The media must stop speculating during such times and verify before publishing any news. We are public figures but it is wrong to defame us in this manner,” he added.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    He was speaking after inaugurating a jewellery shop in Pimpri in Pune district on Saturday along with his wife.

    When NCP chief Sharad Pawar was asked by media about Ajit Pawar’s “absence” and not being reachable on phone, he said, “What does that mean? Supriya Sule may not be reachable to you but she is at home.”

    Pawar’s cancellation of programmes and the fact that he was unreachable on phone gave rise to speculation on Friday about his next move among some political circles.

  • BJP’s bid to form govt with Ajit Pawar had one benefit, it ended Prez Rule in Maha: Sharad Pawar

    By PTI

    PUNE: Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar said on Wednesday that the BJP’s attempt to form a government with his nephew and NCP leader Ajit Pawar had one benefit as it ended the President’s Rule in Maharashtra in 2019.

    His remarks prompted Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to assert that the NCP chief should also explain why the President’s Rule was imposed in the state in the first place after the 2019 assembly polls.

    Addressing a press conference at Pimpri-Chinchwad, Sharad Pawar said that had the exercise not happened, the President’s Rule would have continued in the state. He was replying to a question about Fandavis’s claim that the formation of the government with Ajit Pawar had the backing of the NCP chief.

    “There was an attempt to form a government. One benefit of that exercise was that it helped to lift the President’s Rule in Maharashtra and everyone has witnessed what happened after that,” he said.

    When asked if he was aware of the formation of such a government and why Ajit Pawar is tight-lipped on the issue, the NCP chief wondered if there was a need to speak about it. “I just said that had this kind of exercise not happened, would the President’s Rule have been lifted? Had the President’s Rule not been lifted, would Uddhav Thackeray have been sworn in as the chief minister?” he asked.

    In one of the biggest political surprises in Maharashtra, then Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari had sworn in Fadnavis as chief minister and Ajit Pawar as deputy CM in an early morning ceremony on November 23, 2019.

    But the government lasted just three days, after which Uddhav Thackeray was sworn in as chief minister with the backing of the NCP and Congress.

    ALSO READ | SC refuses to stay Uddhav’s plea against EC granting ‘Shiv Sena’ name to Shinde faction

    Asked if he was hinting that he was aware of the developments, the NCP chief quipped, “A person recently said that one person (Sharad Pawar) is responsible for anything that happens in Maharashtra.”

    Speaking on the Election Commission’s decision to recognise the Eknath Shinde-led group as the real Shiv Sena, Pawar said differences are common in politics but it has never happened in the country that a party’s name and symbol were “snatched away” by misusing power.

    “When there was a split in the Congress, two entities named Congress (I) and Congress (S) emerged. I was the Congress (I) president and Indira Gandhi was the chief of Congress (I). That time, I had the right to use the Congress’ name. In today’s scenario, the party’s name and its symbol have been given to others. Such a thing never happened in the history of India,” said the veteran politician.

    Citing his experience, the NCP chief said that whenever there is “excessive misuse of power” and attempts are made to suppress a party, the public stands by that party. “I recently travelled to many districts and found that though leaders have left the Shiv Sena, the staunch Shiv Sainiks (party workers) are still with Uddhav Thackeray and it will be proved in the elections,” he said.

    “Who took the decision? Was it (Election) Commission, or someone who is guiding the Commission? Such decisions were not made in the past. The role of a big power behind this cannot be ruled out,” he said.

    The NCP refused to comment on what could be the Supreme Court’s decision in the matter, saying, “It is the judiciary, and we believe in the judiciary.”

    ALSO READ | Raut alleges Rs 2,000 crore deal to ‘purchase’ Shiv Sena name, symbol; Shinde camp, BJP dismiss claim

    On former governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari’s interviews, which sparked controversies, Sharad Pawar said he is happy that Koshyari has quit. “In Maharashtra, several governors came and everyone elevated the dignity of the governor’s position but there is only one exception to that list and that is Koshyari,” he said.

    Asked about Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut’s ‘threat to life’ allegation and Congress leader Ashok Chavan’s spying claims, Pawar said the prevailing situation in the state is not good. “Those who have the responsibility of the state’s law and order should keep a watch on the situation and conduct a thorough investigation,” he said.

    About the National Investigation Agency’s claim in the Bombay High Court that Gautam Navlakha, one of the accused in the Elgar Parishad case, was in touch with Pakistan’s spy agency ISI, Pawar said he cannot speak on the issue as the matter is sub judice. “I have read about the case. According to me, there can be ideological differences, but I do not think it is good to term someone anti-national just because the person’s ideology is opposite,” he said.

    Before the press conference, Pawar took part in an election meeting in Pimpri-Chinchwad in support of NCP’s candidate Nana Kate, who is contesting the bypoll in the Chinchwad constituency against BJP’s Ashwini Jagtap.

    Referring to the NCP chief’s remarks, Deputy CM and BJP leader Fadnavis said he should also explain why the President’s Rule was imposed in Maharashtra in the first place after the 2019 assembly polls.

    The Shiv Sena under Uddhav Thackeray and the BJP had fallen apart after the 2019 state polls over the post of the chief minister.

    Thackeray then joined hands with the NCP and Congress to former the government under the banner of the Maha Vikas Aghadi.

    Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Fadnavis said, “If Pawar has explained about the lifting of the President’s Rule, then he should also explain on whose instructions it was imposed in the first place. Who asked to impose it, why it came into effect are the questions he should also answer.”

    The deputy CM added, “If he (Pawar) can clarify these issues, then all links will be connected and people will come to know the exact timeline of events. He himself should reveal more details.”

    PUNE: Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar said on Wednesday that the BJP’s attempt to form a government with his nephew and NCP leader Ajit Pawar had one benefit as it ended the President’s Rule in Maharashtra in 2019.

    His remarks prompted Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to assert that the NCP chief should also explain why the President’s Rule was imposed in the state in the first place after the 2019 assembly polls.

    Addressing a press conference at Pimpri-Chinchwad, Sharad Pawar said that had the exercise not happened, the President’s Rule would have continued in the state. He was replying to a question about Fandavis’s claim that the formation of the government with Ajit Pawar had the backing of the NCP chief.

    “There was an attempt to form a government. One benefit of that exercise was that it helped to lift the President’s Rule in Maharashtra and everyone has witnessed what happened after that,” he said.

    When asked if he was aware of the formation of such a government and why Ajit Pawar is tight-lipped on the issue, the NCP chief wondered if there was a need to speak about it. “I just said that had this kind of exercise not happened, would the President’s Rule have been lifted? Had the President’s Rule not been lifted, would Uddhav Thackeray have been sworn in as the chief minister?” he asked.

    In one of the biggest political surprises in Maharashtra, then Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari had sworn in Fadnavis as chief minister and Ajit Pawar as deputy CM in an early morning ceremony on November 23, 2019.

    But the government lasted just three days, after which Uddhav Thackeray was sworn in as chief minister with the backing of the NCP and Congress.

    ALSO READ | SC refuses to stay Uddhav’s plea against EC granting ‘Shiv Sena’ name to Shinde faction

    Asked if he was hinting that he was aware of the developments, the NCP chief quipped, “A person recently said that one person (Sharad Pawar) is responsible for anything that happens in Maharashtra.”

    Speaking on the Election Commission’s decision to recognise the Eknath Shinde-led group as the real Shiv Sena, Pawar said differences are common in politics but it has never happened in the country that a party’s name and symbol were “snatched away” by misusing power.

    “When there was a split in the Congress, two entities named Congress (I) and Congress (S) emerged. I was the Congress (I) president and Indira Gandhi was the chief of Congress (I). That time, I had the right to use the Congress’ name. In today’s scenario, the party’s name and its symbol have been given to others. Such a thing never happened in the history of India,” said the veteran politician.

    Citing his experience, the NCP chief said that whenever there is “excessive misuse of power” and attempts are made to suppress a party, the public stands by that party. “I recently travelled to many districts and found that though leaders have left the Shiv Sena, the staunch Shiv Sainiks (party workers) are still with Uddhav Thackeray and it will be proved in the elections,” he said.

    “Who took the decision? Was it (Election) Commission, or someone who is guiding the Commission? Such decisions were not made in the past. The role of a big power behind this cannot be ruled out,” he said.

    The NCP refused to comment on what could be the Supreme Court’s decision in the matter, saying, “It is the judiciary, and we believe in the judiciary.”

    ALSO READ | Raut alleges Rs 2,000 crore deal to ‘purchase’ Shiv Sena name, symbol; Shinde camp, BJP dismiss claim

    On former governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari’s interviews, which sparked controversies, Sharad Pawar said he is happy that Koshyari has quit. “In Maharashtra, several governors came and everyone elevated the dignity of the governor’s position but there is only one exception to that list and that is Koshyari,” he said.

    Asked about Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut’s ‘threat to life’ allegation and Congress leader Ashok Chavan’s spying claims, Pawar said the prevailing situation in the state is not good. “Those who have the responsibility of the state’s law and order should keep a watch on the situation and conduct a thorough investigation,” he said.

    About the National Investigation Agency’s claim in the Bombay High Court that Gautam Navlakha, one of the accused in the Elgar Parishad case, was in touch with Pakistan’s spy agency ISI, Pawar said he cannot speak on the issue as the matter is sub judice. “I have read about the case. According to me, there can be ideological differences, but I do not think it is good to term someone anti-national just because the person’s ideology is opposite,” he said.

    Before the press conference, Pawar took part in an election meeting in Pimpri-Chinchwad in support of NCP’s candidate Nana Kate, who is contesting the bypoll in the Chinchwad constituency against BJP’s Ashwini Jagtap.

    Referring to the NCP chief’s remarks, Deputy CM and BJP leader Fadnavis said he should also explain why the President’s Rule was imposed in Maharashtra in the first place after the 2019 assembly polls.

    The Shiv Sena under Uddhav Thackeray and the BJP had fallen apart after the 2019 state polls over the post of the chief minister.

    Thackeray then joined hands with the NCP and Congress to former the government under the banner of the Maha Vikas Aghadi.

    Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Fadnavis said, “If Pawar has explained about the lifting of the President’s Rule, then he should also explain on whose instructions it was imposed in the first place. Who asked to impose it, why it came into effect are the questions he should also answer.”

    The deputy CM added, “If he (Pawar) can clarify these issues, then all links will be connected and people will come to know the exact timeline of events. He himself should reveal more details.”

  • Amid Maharashtra CM’s appeal for unopposed contest, NCP announces candidate for Assembly bypoll in Pune

    By PTI

    PUNE: The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Tuesday said Nana Kate will be its candidate for the upcoming bypoll to Chinchwad Assembly seat in Pune district.

    The announcement comes days after Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said he had requested NCP president Sharad Pawar and leaders of the Congress (both constituents of Maha Vikas Aghadi along with the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena) to honour the political tradition in the state to ensure unopposed bypolls to seats falling vacant due to the death of sitting lawmakers.

    The byelections to Pune’s Chinchwad and Kasba Peth constituencies, scheduled for February 26, have been necessitated due to the death of sitting Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs Laxman Jagtap and Mukta Tilak.

    Maharashtra NCP chief Jayant Patil in a tweet on Tuesday said, “NCP’s Nana Kate will be the Maha Vikas Aghadi candidate for the Chinchwad constituency bypoll. We are confident that we will definitely win this election by working together with all constituents of the MVA.”

    On Monday, BJP’s Ashwini Jagtap, the wife of late MLA Laxman Jagtap, filed her nomination for the bypoll to Chinchwad Assembly seat, which represents the Pimpri Chinchwad township in Pune district.

    Besides, BJP’s Hemant Rasne and Congress leader Ravindra Dhangekar have filed their nomination papers for the byelection to Kasba Peth Assembly seat.

    Maharashtra BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Monday said if the Congress assures that the Kasba Peth Assembly bypoll will be unopposed in the event of BJP nominating a member of late MLA Mukta Tilak’s family, then the saffron party will make its official candidate withdraw from the fray.

    Eyebrows were raised over BJP giving a ticket to local leader Rasne, even as Mukta Tilak’s husband said his family members would have completed her work if given a ticket.

    Tuesday is the last day for filing the nominations. The last date for withdrawal of nominations is February 10. Votes will be counted on March 2.

    PUNE: The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Tuesday said Nana Kate will be its candidate for the upcoming bypoll to Chinchwad Assembly seat in Pune district.

    The announcement comes days after Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said he had requested NCP president Sharad Pawar and leaders of the Congress (both constituents of Maha Vikas Aghadi along with the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena) to honour the political tradition in the state to ensure unopposed bypolls to seats falling vacant due to the death of sitting lawmakers.

    The byelections to Pune’s Chinchwad and Kasba Peth constituencies, scheduled for February 26, have been necessitated due to the death of sitting Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs Laxman Jagtap and Mukta Tilak.

    Maharashtra NCP chief Jayant Patil in a tweet on Tuesday said, “NCP’s Nana Kate will be the Maha Vikas Aghadi candidate for the Chinchwad constituency bypoll. We are confident that we will definitely win this election by working together with all constituents of the MVA.”

    On Monday, BJP’s Ashwini Jagtap, the wife of late MLA Laxman Jagtap, filed her nomination for the bypoll to Chinchwad Assembly seat, which represents the Pimpri Chinchwad township in Pune district.

    Besides, BJP’s Hemant Rasne and Congress leader Ravindra Dhangekar have filed their nomination papers for the byelection to Kasba Peth Assembly seat.

    Maharashtra BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Monday said if the Congress assures that the Kasba Peth Assembly bypoll will be unopposed in the event of BJP nominating a member of late MLA Mukta Tilak’s family, then the saffron party will make its official candidate withdraw from the fray.

    Eyebrows were raised over BJP giving a ticket to local leader Rasne, even as Mukta Tilak’s husband said his family members would have completed her work if given a ticket.

    Tuesday is the last day for filing the nominations. The last date for withdrawal of nominations is February 10. Votes will be counted on March 2.

  • Maharashtra: NCP MP Supriya Sule’s saree catches fire at event; no injuries

    By PTI

    PUNE: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MP Supriya Sule’s saree accidentally caught fire during an event in Maharashtra’s Pune on Sunday.

    In a statement, Sule later said that she is safe and there was no reason to worry.

    The Baramati MP was at an event in Hinjawadi to inaugurate a karate competition when her saree caught fire while she was garlanding a small statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

    A video of the incident shows the NCP leader’s saree accidentally touching a lamp kept on a table while she garlanded the statute.

    “At the inauguration of a karate competition, my saree accidentally caught fire. However, the fire was doused in time.

    Request all wellwishers, citizens, party workers, and leaders not to worry as I am safe,” Sule said in a statement.

    PUNE: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MP Supriya Sule’s saree accidentally caught fire during an event in Maharashtra’s Pune on Sunday.

    In a statement, Sule later said that she is safe and there was no reason to worry.

    The Baramati MP was at an event in Hinjawadi to inaugurate a karate competition when her saree caught fire while she was garlanding a small statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

    A video of the incident shows the NCP leader’s saree accidentally touching a lamp kept on a table while she garlanded the statute.

    “At the inauguration of a karate competition, my saree accidentally caught fire. However, the fire was doused in time.

    Request all wellwishers, citizens, party workers, and leaders not to worry as I am safe,” Sule said in a statement.

  • ‘Mentality of north India and Parliament still not conducive for women’s quota’: Sharad Pawar

    By PTI

    PUNE: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sharad Pawar on Saturday said the “mentality” of north India and Parliament seems not conducive yet to giving reservations to women in the Lok Sabha and Legislative Assemblies.

    He made the remarks at a programme organised by the Pune Doctors’ Association where he and his daughter and Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule were interviewed.

    Replying to a question on the Women’s Reservation Bill, which aims to reserve 33 per cent seats in Lok Sabha and all state legislative assemblies for women which is yet to be passed, and whether this shows the country is still not mentally ready to accept the women leadership, Pawar said he has been speaking on this issue in Parliament since he was Congress MP in Lok Sabha.

    “The ‘mansikta’ (mentality) of Parliament, especially of North India, has not been conducive (on this issue). I can recall that when I was Lok Sabha MP in Congress, I used to talk about the issue of reservations for women in Parliament. Once after completing my speech, I turned back and saw that majority of MPs from my party got up and left. This means even for people from my party, it was not digestible,” he added.

    The former Union minister said all (parties) should keep trying to get the bill passed.

    “When I was the chief minister of Maharashtra, reservations for women in local bodies like ZP and Panchayat Samiti were introduced. It was opposed initially but later people accepted it,” he added.

    PUNE: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sharad Pawar on Saturday said the “mentality” of north India and Parliament seems not conducive yet to giving reservations to women in the Lok Sabha and Legislative Assemblies.

    He made the remarks at a programme organised by the Pune Doctors’ Association where he and his daughter and Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule were interviewed.

    Replying to a question on the Women’s Reservation Bill, which aims to reserve 33 per cent seats in Lok Sabha and all state legislative assemblies for women which is yet to be passed, and whether this shows the country is still not mentally ready to accept the women leadership, Pawar said he has been speaking on this issue in Parliament since he was Congress MP in Lok Sabha.

    “The ‘mansikta’ (mentality) of Parliament, especially of North India, has not been conducive (on this issue). I can recall that when I was Lok Sabha MP in Congress, I used to talk about the issue of reservations for women in Parliament. Once after completing my speech, I turned back and saw that majority of MPs from my party got up and left. This means even for people from my party, it was not digestible,” he added.

    The former Union minister said all (parties) should keep trying to get the bill passed.

    “When I was the chief minister of Maharashtra, reservations for women in local bodies like ZP and Panchayat Samiti were introduced. It was opposed initially but later people accepted it,” he added.

  • 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.”

  • Fighting Goa polls was never cakewalk for Shiv Sena, NCP, shows data

    By PTI

    PANAJI: The Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), the ruling allies in Maharashtra, have forged an alliance for the first time in Goa for the February 14 Assembly elections, but data shows that winning seats in this coastal state has never been an easy task for the two parties individually, and their candidates had lost deposits on several occasions in the past polls.

    Data of to the previous elections showed that the Sharad Pawar-led NCP has fared better than the Shiv Sena in terms of the number of votes polled.

    The Shiv Sena has been fighting elections in Goa since 1989, while the NCP has been on the state’s electoral scene since 2002.

    After the 2019 Assembly elections in Maharashtra, the Shiv Sena, which till then allied with the BJP, joined hands with the NCP and the Congress, to form a government, which was christened as the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA).

    The Shiv Sena and the NCP had last week announced that they would contest the Goa elections together.

    Both parties will collectively fight 20 seats for the 40-member House.

    Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut, who announced the first list of nine candidates for the Goa Assembly polls on Friday, said he wanted the MVA model in Maharashtra to be replicated in Goa this time, which is why he had approached the Congress with that proposal.

    But the Congress did not show any willingness to forge a pre-poll alliance with Sena-NCP, he said.

    He also said that if the BJP retains power in Goa, it is the Congress that should be blamed as it refused to tie up with the two parties.

    In 2007, the NCP had contested the Goa Assembly polls in alliance with the Congress, while Shiv Sena has always fought the elections in the state alone without a tie-up with the BJP.

    In 2017, the NCP had contested 17 seats, but could win only one seat, while its deposit on 16 seats was forfeited.

    The party polled 20,916 votes and registered 2.28 per cent share in the total valid votes polled.

    The Shiv Sena, on the other hand, had contested three seats at that time, but could not open its account.

    It had polled 792 votes and recorded 0.09 per cent vote share in the total valid votes polled.

    The Aadm Aadmi Party (AAP), which entered Goa’s poll fray for the first time in 2017, had contested 39 seats and its candidates lost deposit on 38 seats.

    The party polled 57,420 votes and got 6.27 per cent share in the total valid votes polled.

    In 2012, the NCP had contested seven seats and had lost deposit in three places.

    The party had polled 34,627 votes and got 4.08 per cent share in the total valid votes polled at that time.

    The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena had contested three seats, but lost deposit on all three of them.

    It had polled only 210 votes.

    The party got 0.02 per cent share in the total valid votes polled.

    That year, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) had contested 20 seats and lost deposit on 19 seats.

    The party had polled 15,323 votes with 1.81 per cent share in the total valid votes polled.

    In 2007, the NCP had contested six seats and won three of them.

    The party lost its deposit in one seat.

    It polled 35,731 votes, getting 5.02 per cent share in the total valid votes polled.

    The Shiv Sena had fielded seven candidates, but all of them lost their deposits.

    The party had bagged 1,049 votes with 0.15 per cent share in the total valid votes.

    The NCP had contested 20 seats in 2002 and won one of them while losing deposits in 12 seats.

    The party had secured 37,093 votes with 5.83 per cent share in the total valid votes polled.

    The Shiv Sena had fielded 15 candidates and all of them lost their deposits.

    The party got 4,946 votes with 0.78 per cent share in the total valid votes.

    In 1999, the Sena had contested 14 seats and lost deposit in all of them.

    It had secured 5,987 votes with 1.04 per cent share in the total valid votes polled.

    In 1994, the party had contested two seats, when it bagged 8,347 votes and got 1.45 per cent share in the total valid votes polled, while in 1989, of the six seats it had contested, it had lost deposit on five of them.

    It had bagged 4,960 votes and 0.98 per cent share in the total valid votes polled.