Addressing the media in Mumbai, Pawar laid bare the statistics: ‘If we scan India’s crime data, Maharashtra shamefully occupies the numero uno spot.’ He drew attention to the recent acid attack on a schoolgirl in Ahilyanagar, calling it a ‘stain on humanity’ that exposes systemic lapses in protection mechanisms.

The lawmaker lambasted the ruling dispensation for stalling the ‘Shakti Law,’ originally proposed by the MVA government. ‘Sent to Delhi three years ago, it was bounced back on a technicality, and since then, zero progress from the home ministry,’ Pawar fumed. This inaction, he argued, leaves women vulnerable amid escalating threats.

Pawar also waded into controversy surrounding Deputy CM Ajit Pawar’s purported plane crash involvement. He revealed meeting the Assembly Speaker to push for debates, while his party’s upper house members echo the call. ‘Leaders from Ajit Pawar’s faction demanded CBI inquiry from Fadnavis and the CM, yet a powerful figure is blocking proper investigation and assembly discussions,’ he alleged.

This dual-pronged offensive highlights deepening political fissures. As women’s safety hangs in balance, Pawar’s clarion call could galvanize public pressure for sweeping changes in policy and probes.

What started as a nagging cough escalated overnight, causing respiratory discomfort that alarmed family and aides. Srinivas Pawar, his nephew, confirmed the symptoms worsened Sunday evening, necessitating immediate hospital transfer for diagnostics.

Hospital director Dr. Purvez Grant is overseeing the case personally. ‘Coughing has persisted since early today. Full evaluation imminent; treatment plan including potential admission will be set post-results,’ he assured.

Supriya Sule, Pawar’s MP daughter, remains with him, offering familial support during this uncertain time. Expert physicians are conducting a battery of tests to pinpoint the cause and rule out complications.

The hospital emphasizes that while the cough is acute, no admission is confirmed yet—decisions hinge on test outcomes dictating dosage and care protocols.

Grief still fresh from the tragic plane crash that killed nephew Ajit Pawar, Maharashtra’s former Deputy CM, Sharad Pawar has been navigating loss while based between Mumbai, Baramati, and Pune.

His battle with health challenges is well-documented: a pre-2004 oral cancer operation, plus subsequent surgeries in India and America. This episode underscores the fragility even for political titans.

From rivals to allies, messages of support flood in. Pawar’s resilience has defined his career—from agriculturist roots to architect of coalitions. Updates are anticipated soon as medical teams work tirelessly.

‘Sure, it sounded impressive, but was it rooted in reality? How linked is it to the common man’s woes?’ Khan probed, emphasizing the absence of concrete fixes for everyday problems.

The Meghalaya coal mine disaster, where 18 miners perished, drew sharp focus. Khan labeled illegal mining the prime culprit, riddled with massive financial irregularities. ‘Central oversight is failing; contractors thrive while poor laborers pay with their lives,’ she charged, seeking immediate curbs.

Lashing out at Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma’s controversial remarks, Khan deemed the ‘Miyan’ slur and beggar taunts deplorable. She listed a series of hate-mongering tropes—buffalo thefts, mangalsutra snatches, voter purges—rhetorically asking, ‘Is this our democracy?’

Advocating ethical speech for leaders in high office, Khan warned that such language fractures society and erodes democratic ethos. She questioned parties’ aversion to Muslim politicians, calling out covert discrimination via communal jabs.

Referencing freedom fighters from diverse backgrounds, including those linked to Jamiat-Ulema-e-Hind, Khan stressed honoring all contributors. Her address painted a picture of a polity needing reform to prioritize unity and justice.

This distinction, Sule argues, stems from the direct impact of local governance on citizens’ lives. Forget grand promises of economic reforms or foreign policy; here, it’s all about fixing broken sewers, ensuring clean drinking water, and building reliable public transport. ‘Voters know exactly what affects their neighborhood,’ she noted, referencing ongoing struggles in cities across the state.

Sule’s commentary arrives amid heightened anticipation for urban local body elections, postponed multiple times due to administrative delays. She slammed the current dispensation for neglecting essentials, citing examples of flooded streets during monsoons and uncollected waste piling up in suburbs. ‘These aren’t abstract problems; they’re daily nightmares for families,’ she said passionately.

Advocating for a people-centric campaign, the Baramati MP called on her cadre to shun high-decibel sloganeering and focus on door-to-door problem-solving. This approach, she believes, will resonate in diverse electorates tired of unfulfilled pledges from higher-level polls.

As Maharashtra’s civic bodies brace for the vote, Sule’s perspective underscores a fundamental truth: local elections test governance at its most elemental level. For parties like NCP (SP), it’s an opportunity to rebuild trust, one pothole at a time. The coming months will reveal if her model gains traction among the masses.

“The Shiv Sena (UBT) has staked claim to the LoP post. We have given a letter to the speaker regarding this. We are confident that a decision will be taken considering democratic values,” Thackeray said. He insisted the decision on the issue should be taken before the budget session ends on March 26.

As per precedents, an opposition party needs 10 per cent of the total seats (which comes to 28) to stake claim to the LoP post in the 288-member assembly. “But there is no such law (stipulating 10 per cent of total seats) or provision in the Constitution,” Bhaskar Jadhav had claimed on Monday.

Two days back, the Uddhav Thackeray-led party announced its support for Arvind Kejriwal’s AAP in the February 5 Delhi Assembly elections, in a snub to the Congress.

Raut said the INDIA bloc and Maha Vikas Aghadi alliances- comprising Sena (UBT), Congress, and NCP (SP)- were meant for Lok Sabha and assembly elections.

Raut blamed Congress for the lack of coordination in MVA.

Hitting out at Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar for indulging in a blame game over the MVA’s defeat in the assembly polls, Raut said those who don’t believe in consensus and compromise have no right to be in an alliance.

He further claimed that the INDIA bloc didn’t hold a single meeting after the Lok Sabha election results were declared.

“We were not able to appoint even a convenor for the INDIA bloc. It isn’t good. As the largest party of the alliance, it was the Congress’s responsibility to convene a meeting,” the Sena (UBT) MP said.

NCP (SP) group leader in the legislative assembly, Jitendra Awhad, said they can’t stop Sena (UBT) if it’s keen to go alone.

“If they wish to go alone, who are we to stop them? We can’t take along anyone forcibly. We need to stay together after the assembly poll defeat. I don’t think that’s the right decision. Poll prospects of all three MVA parties will be impacted,” he said.

NCP (SP) working president Supriya Sule said the parties always contested local bodies polls solo.

“Local bodies’ elections are of the party workers. If we contest these polls as per our convenience what should the cadre do; only lift mattresses of leaders?” she asked.

Congress MLA from Nagpur, Vikas Thakre, said if Shiv Sena (UBT) chooses to tread a solitary path, the Congress too is prepared to do so.

Congress senior leader and AICC in charge of Goa, Manikrao Thakre, however, said the party’s central leadership will decide on local body polls.

Mumbai Congress president Varsha Gaikwad alleged that the party got a raw deal in seat-sharing in Lok Sabha and assembly polls it contested in alliance with the Sena (UBT).

“Congress workers feel we should get more opportunities in civic polls. We will convey the sentiment of the party workers to Central leaders who will decide on the strategy for contesting local bodies elections,” Gaikwad said.

She said every party has the right to expand its vote base and this sentiment of Congress cadres will be conveyed to the leadership, she added.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis downplayed the Sena (UBT) announcement.

“We are not concerned whether MVA remains intact or not. My government is committed to ensuring the progress and development of Maharashtra. I am confident of people’s support in all upcoming elections,” he told reporters.

The announcement by the Shiv Sena (UBT) to go solo in local body elections comes amid rumours of the party softening its criticism of BJP in recent days and Fadnavis’ “anything can happen in politics” remark.

“If you see the developments from 2019 to 2024, I realise never say never and anything can happen. Uddhav Thackeray goes to some other party and Ajit Pawar comes to us. In politics anything can happen though I am not saying this should happen,” On chances of the NCP (SP) and NCP coming closer or reuniting,” Fadnavis said in an interview on Friday.

He had said that his estranged friend Uddhav Thackeray was not a “shatru” (enemy).