News Analysis India

Tag: NCP

  • Uddhav government to rule Maharashtra for 25 years: Raut to BJP, Owaisi

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: The Shiv Sena on Tuesday pooh-poohed the Maharashtra BJP’s claim that the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government will soon collapse and asserted the three-party ruling alliance in the state will remain in power for 25 years.

    Talking to reporters after a meeting with NCP president Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut hit out at the BJP over the recent riots in Amravati and the ongoing strike by Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) employees.

    The NCP is a key constituent of the Shiv Sena-led MVA government.

    The Congress is the third partner in the coalition.

    Taking a dig at state BJP president Chandrakant Patil for his reported comments that the MVA dispensation will soon collapse, Raut said he should wake up from slumber as the government will complete its second anniversary on November 28.

    The Sena MP said the MVA government will last for 25 years and its power centre is where he is standing, a reference to Pawar’s residence.

    “He (Patil) must be getting shocks after the early morning oath-taking ceremony. Chandrakant Patil has said this (predicting collapse of MVA) for nearly 28 times. The government will last for 25 years and I am standing near the power centre,” Raut said.

    In a dramatic turn of events on November 23, 2019, BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis took oath as Maharashtra CM with NCP legislator Ajit Pawar as his deputy in the wee hours, but their government lasted just for around 80 hours.

    The NCP president is considered the chief architect of the three-party alliance which assumed office on November 28, 2019.

    Without naming the BJP, a former ally of the Sena, Raut hit out at the opposition party over the ongoing strike by MSRTC employees and the recent violence in Amravati in eastern Maharashtra.

    “Everyone knows who is inciting the situation in Maharashtra and why it is being done, who is adding oil to the fire on the MSRTC issue, we have the information about this,” the Rajya Sabha MP said.

    Attempts are being made to set fire in Maharashtra, from Amravati (a reference to the recent riots in the city) to MSRTC workers strike, Raut alleged.

    BJP MP Vinay Sahasrabuddhe on Tuesday said the Maha Vikas Aghadi, which is set to complete two years in power in Maharashtra later this month, has failed on all fronts and people were distressed.

    Addressing a press conference, he said the Uddhav Thackeray government had mismanaged issues related to women’s security, farmers, the MPSC and health department exams, MSRTC staff demands and students’ problems.

    “There has been an increase in violence against women, and the government is no longer talking about a bill they were planning to bring to curb it. It has forgotten ST (state transport) workers. Farmers have not got crop insurance or relief from the state government,” he alleged.

    All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen president Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday said the Shiv Sena was a communal party and the so-called secular parties like the Congress and NCP had joined hands with the Uddhav Thackeray-led outfit to grab power in Maharashtra.

    In the process, Owaisi, who was addressing a party convention in Solapur, said the Muslim community had got a slap on the face from the Congress and NCP.

    “Rahul Gandhi, Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray decided to come together. I was urging the (Muslim) community to come together but you did not understand my appeal. Now they have come together and slapped you on the face,” he said.

    “I want to ask all those Muslims who became the victims of the lies of the NCP and Congress if they have an answer to my question. Will you be able to answer yourself that the parties you supported brought the Sena to power,” he asked.

    The Shiv Sena, like the BJP, was and would remain communal, Owaisi said, adding that “the Majlis, Muslims, Dalits or those who believe in secular values” do not need any certificate on secularism from such parties.

    Attacking Rahul Gandhi and Pawar, Owaisi said the two leaders ask Muslims to not vote for AIMIM, but had themselves aligned with the Sena to safeguard power, properties and families.

    “Have you forgotten what happened on the streets of Mumbai? Have you forgotten the Srikrishna Commission? Have you forgotten all those hateful statements? I remember everything,” Owaisi said further in his attack on the Congress and NCP.

    “Is it not true that CM Thackeray, standing in the Assembly, spoke about temple and masjid. Do you (NCP and Congress ) not feel ashamed when your CM says that we (Shiv Sena ) demolished Babri Masjid,” he said, and appealed to the Muslims to not believe the NCP and Congress anymore and to use their vote wisely.

  • Expose Uddhav Thackeray govt without concerning about power: Fadnavis to BJP workers

    Express News Service

    MUMBAI: Former Maharashtra chief minister and leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis, in his party meeting on Tuesday, said that they should stop overthinking about forming government in Maharashtra, whether they will come back in power or not it should not much concern. If they come in power, then it should be called a bonus.

    The BJP leader addressed his party leaders meeting said that they should expose the Uddhav Thackeray government and its wrong policies. He alleged this government is Vasuli (recovery) government.

    “In this government, there is one chief minister but here everyone behaves like the chief minister of Maharashtra. They are not worried, concerned and interested about people’s issues but are more focused on drugs, Aryan Khan and other non-issues,” Fadnavis said.

    Reacting to the comment, NCP minister Nawab Malik said it is good that Devendra Fadnavis is over the ambition becoming chief minister and realized that he is no more chief minister. “This is a good sign that the BJP leaders are coming out from the illusion of power. They still behave like they are ruling Maharashtra and each day threaten people sending them to jail. The opposition should work for the people and they should be the voice of the people, not work as agents of someone,” Malik said.

    Fadnavis also said refuted the charges of Maha Vikas Agahdi blaming BJP for recent violence in Amarawati. He said that Maha Vikas Aghadi govt wants to polarize the voters, therefore they are not taking action against the people who are involved in violence in Nanded, Malegaon, Parbhani and Amarawati. “The Azad Maidan pattern has been replicated in Amarawati where police were assaulted by the protestors a few years ago. We opposed it. The government rather than taking actions against the culprit they are arresting the BJP leader. This is unfortunate,” Fadnavis said.

    He also alleged that the Uddhav Thackeray government is one of the most corrupt governments in the history of Maharashtra. “There is not kaydyache rajya (rule of law) here, but kay dayache (what should be given) state here. No one is getting justice from farmer to government employee. Where is the government,” Fadnavis asked.

  • Another test for Uddhav? Cabinet reshuffle in Maharashtra likely after BMC elections

    Express News Service

    MUMBAI:  A reshuffle of the Maharashtra Cabinet is on the cards. The bigger question for Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and NCP chief Sharad Pawar is whether the rejig should be done before or after the BMC polls in February next year.

    The Maha Vikas Aghadi government will complete two years at the end of this month. Although the BJP has been trying every trick in the book to topple the government, the alliance of Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP has not broken yet.

    “Now, the time has come to show the door to the non-performing ministers and induct fresh faces. The chief minister and the NCP chief have had a series of meetings on Cabinet expansion matters. Both are ready to have it before the BMC elections. However, Congress has conveyed that the Cabinet reshuffle should be done after the BMC polls,” said a senior NCP minister who requested anonymity.

    Congress sources said there are two — school education minister Varsha Gaikwad and fisheries minister Aslam Sheikh — from the party in the Cabinet. They need to keep both until the BMC polls.

    “Shortly before the crucial polls, no Congress minister will be replaced because it will send a wrong message to cadre and people. Once elections are over, on the basis of performance, a decision will be taken,” said a Congress minister close to Gandhi family.

    In NCP, there is talk that those who are not enthusiastic enough to run ministries or are unable to do justice to their portfolio will be replaced.

    “Pawar has monthly meetings with our ministers where their performance and people’s feedback are reviewed. The performing ministers will be given more responsibility. The party has been preparing a report card for each minister,” the NCP leader said.

    As far as Shiv Sena is concerned, forest minister Sanjay Rathod has resigned and that post has to be filled up. “Besides, there should be exchange of ministries after review of performance. Chief Minister Thackeray will take the final call,” said a Sena leader.

    Meanwhile, Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole on Sunday mocked the NCP for not being able to win the recent Pandharpur Assembly bypoll and said the latter would “shut shop”in Vidarbha too as it had no base there.

    The Congress, NCP and the Shiv Sena are allies who formed the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in the state in 2019 after the saffron alliance between the Sena and BJP broke.

    The Congress and NCP had ruled the state between 1999 and 2014.

    Speaking at a Congress meeting in Wardha, some 740 kilometres from here, Patole said, “The top NCP leadership was unable to retain the Pandharpur Assemby seat (in the recent bypolls). How much time will it take to shut shop in Vidarbha.”

    He later told reporters he made the comment as the Sharad Pawar-led party had no base in Vidarbha.

    (With PTI Inputs)

  • Ranaut’s comments on freedom struggle: Take back actor’s Padma Shri, says NCP

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: The NCP on Friday demanded the revocation of Padma Shri conferred on actor Kangana Ranaut for her controversial remarks on Independence and said she should be booked for insulting freedom fighters.

    Taking a dig, NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said the actor is talking too much after an excess dose of “Malana cream”, a type of hashish that draws its name from Malana valley in Himachal Pradesh.

    “We strongly condemn this statement, which has insulted lakhs of freedom fighters, those who have sacrificed their lives. From Gandhiji to other freedom fighters who waged a long battle for freedom, all have been insulted. We demand that her Padma Shri be revoked. She should be booked for insulting freedom fighters,” Malik said.

    Ranaut, at a recent event, said the Independence India obtained in 1947 was “bheek” (alms) and that the country truly became free in 2014, a reference to the BJP coming to power at the Centre under Narendra Modi.

  • Withdraw Kangana Ranaut’s Padma Shri, arrest her: Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik

    By ANI

    NEW DELHI: Maharashtra Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Nawab Malik on Friday demanded that the Centre must withdraw the Padma Shri award from Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut for her controversial remarks on the country’s Independence and sought her immediate arrest.

    Addressing a press conference, NCP leader condemned Ranaut’s statement that India got real freedom in 2014 and said it seems the Bollywood actor is on a heavy dose of Malana cream, a particular variety of hashish which grows specifically in Himachal Pradesh.

    “We strongly condemn actress Kangana Ranaut’s statement. She insulted freedom fighters. The Centre must take back the Padma Shri from Kangana and arrest her. Looks like Kangana Ranaut took a heavy dose of Malana Cream before making such a statement,” said the Maharastra minister.

    ALSO READ| ‘Not scared by you’: Nawab Malik ‘welcomes’ ED raids  in connection with Waqf board scam

    Earlier on Thursday, BJP leader Varun Gandhi also criticised the actor for her comment.

    He shared the viral video of the actor and said, “Sometimes an insult to Mahatma Gandhi’s sacrifice and penance, sometimes respect to his [Mahatma Gandhi’s] killer, and now an insult to the sacrifices of lakhs of freedom fighters — from Shaheed Mangal Pandey to Rani Laxmibai, Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and more. Should I call this madness or treason?”

    The controversy began after Ranaut on Thursday said that India attained freedom in 2014 when the Modi-led government came to power and described the country’s Independence in 1947 as “bheek”, or alms. Kangana received the prestigious award by President Ram Nath Kovind at a ceremony hosted at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in the capital on November 8.

  • ‘Not scared by you’: Nawab Malik ‘welcomes’ ED raids  in connection with Waqf board scam 

    By Express News Service

    MUMBAI:   NCP leader and Maharashtra minority development minister Nawab Malik on Thursday said he welcomed the Enforcement Directorate’s raids in connection with the alleged land scam involving Pune Waqf Board as his ministry, under which the Waqf Board falls, had already started a clean-up action.

    “I want to say to the ED and its officers that I welcome their action as long as they want to clean the system. But if there is a campaign to malign my image because of the fight that we have started against the Central agencies, then I would say Maharashtra government does not get scared by them,” the outspoken minister said.

    He said the ED should clarify whether Devendra Fadnavis or any other BJP leader asked it to conduct the raids.

    Seven places in Pune and one place in Aurangabad were raided by the ED in connection with the case which involved irregularities to the tune of Rs 10 crore. 

    Addressing a news conference here, Malik took a dig at the central agency and said it is welcome to probe 30,000 entities under the Waqf Board.

    The Waqf Board will extend all the necessary cooperation to the ED, he said.

    However, it should show the same interest in probing the complaints made by the Shia Waqf Board, Lucknow, as well, the minister said.

    “If the ED thinks such actions (searches) will scare me, then it is under the wrong impression. Such acts will not deter me in continuing our clean-up operation under which central agencies are misused,” Malik said.

    In an apparent reference to the BJP, the NCP minister said he, along with his senior leaders, will send a list of documents of “some leaders” to the ED and urge the agency to probe them.

    Malik has been attacking the Modi government for allegedly misusing the central agencies, particularly the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), against BJP’s political opponents.

    Earlier in the day, the ED searched multiple premises in Pune and adjoining areas in connection with a money laundering case linked to alleged illegal sale of Waqf properties in Maharashtra.

    ED officials said at least seven premises have been covered and the action is being undertaken under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

    The money laundering case is based on a Maharashtra Police FIR and the subsequent chargesheet, and the agency is collecting more information as part of the raids.

    Malik said the ED was welcome to probe any case it wants, but it appears that the entire purpose of its current action is to malign his image.

    He said ever since he took over as the Minister for Minority Affairs, the Waqf Board is functioning at its full strength with a full-time Chief Executive Officer.

    Malik said seven FIRs, too, have been registered by the Waqf Board since he took over to probe alleged irregularities.

    “We have launched a clean-up operation in the Waqf Board under which past members of the board and some officials may also face action,” he said, noting all businesses of the board are planned to be conducted online.

    (With PTI Inputs)

  • All is not well in MVA? Congress to contest solo in BMC polls

    Express News Service

    MUMBAI:  The Shiv Sena and the NCP are set to join hands for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections (BMC) scheduled in February 2022 while the third partner in the Maha Vikas Aghadi, the Congress, will contest solo.

    According to sources, Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray and NCP chief Sharad Pawar had a series of meetings where the issue was discussed.

    “We have asked to identify the wards where each party candidate stands a strong chance. Our present strength in the 227-member corporation is nine. We can fight on 50 seats while the Shiv Sena can contest the rest. The Marathi voters are with the Sena, which, combined with Muslim, Dalit and NCP-loyalist votes, can deliver victory on many seats,” said an NCP leader.

    The Shiv Sena currently holds 99 seats in the BMC. 

    “In the 2017 polls, the BJP put in a lot of effort and won 84 seats against their previous tally of 35 but the Sena finally managed to bag the BMC. This time, the party did not want to take any chance and therefore decided to tie up with NCP. The NCP may not have a major base here, but it has certain loyalists that will surely add up to the total tally,” said a Sena leader.

    He added that there could be no alliance with the Congress since it was difficult to allot seats to the grand old party as per its demand. 

    Mumbai Congress president Bhai Jagtap said the party had decided to fight alone. 

    “We have already started our preparations. Our membership drive is also in full swing. The Congress has a major base in Mumbai. So, we are confident of winning many seats. Rahul Gandhi will be in Mumbai on December 28 to kickstart  the BMC campaign,” Jagtap added.

    Not taking risk this time

    The Shiv Sena currently holds 99 seats in the BMC. In the 2017 polls, the BJP won 84 seats against their previous tally of 35.

    This time, the Sena does not want to take any chance and has decided to join hands with the NCP.

  • ‘Friendship between Fadnavis and Wankhede helped criminals to flourish in Maharashtra’: Nawab Malik

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik on Wednesday accused former state chief minister Devendra Fadnavis of sweeping under the carpet a case of seized fake notes and resorting to “criminalisation of politics” by appointing people with criminal background on government boards.

    Continuing his tirade against the leader of the opposition, Malik in a press conference said there are “more bombs to be dropped” in coming days and he will spill the beans on this issue against the BJP.

    There was no immediate reaction from BJP leader Fadnavis on the fresh charges levelled by Malik.

    Malik on Tuesday said he would drop a “hydrogen bomb” and reveal Fadnavis’ alleged underworld links.

    Fadnavis had on Tuesday alleged a dubious land deal involving Malik, his family members and two convicts of the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case over a decade ago, a charge refuted by the minister.

    On Wednesday, the NCP minister said while fake notes were seized in other states after demonetisation on November 8 2016, there was not a single such instance in Maharashtra.

    At that time Fadnavis was the chief minister of the state.

    Malik said on October 8, 2017, the Department of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized fake notes worth Rs 14.56 crore from the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC).

    “But Devendra Fadnavis helped sweep the case under the carpet. The seized amount was later shown with a value of Rs 8.8 lakhs,” Malik alleged, questioning why the case was not handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

    “Incidentally, Sameer Wankhade (the Narcotics Control Bureau officer against whom Malik has levelled several serious allegations) was the DRI’s joint director at that time,” he added.

    Malik further said one Imran Alam Sheikh was arrested in this case.

    Later, his brother Haji Arfat Sheikh was made the chairman of the state minority commission, the minister claimed.

    He alleged that Fadnavis appointed people with criminal background on several state boards.

    He said one Munna Yadav from Nagpur was made the chairman of the Maharashtra Construction Workers Welfare Board despite criminal charges like murder registered against him.

    Malik also alleged that during Fadnavis sheltered an individual whose second wife was a Bangladeshi.

    When the Malad police tried investigating the case, they was pressured.

    “Fadnavis resorted to criminalisation of politics by appointing people with criminal background on government posts,” the minister alleged.

    Malik and Fadnavis have been targeting each other with charges of underworld links.

    Both have denied any links with the underworld.

    On Tuesday, Fadnavis said Malik and his family members were part of a company which purchased land in Kurla area of Mumbai at a very low rate by making some fictitious documents.

    Malik had last week sought to link the BJP with an alleged narcotics dealer by tweeting the latter’s photograph with the former chief minister and his wife Amruta Fadnavis.

    The former CM had then said he will make revelations about Malik’s “underworld links” after Diwali and also share the “documents and proofs” of the same with Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sharad Pawar.

  • Nawab Malik’s kin bought land from people with underworld links: Ex-Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday alleged that state minister Nawab Malik and his family members entered into land deals with people associated with the underworld.

    Speaking to reporters here, Fadnavis also claimed he did not have this information earlier (when he was the state’s chief minister). The BJP leader said had he found this previously, he would have exposed NCP leader Malik earlier.

    Notably, Malik earlier this month sought to link the BJP with an alleged narcotics dealer by tweeting the latter’s photograph with the former chief minister’s wife Amruta Fadnavis. Malik had also posted a similar photograph of Devendra Fadnavis with alleged the drug dealer.

    The former CM had then said he will make revelations about Malik’s “underworld links” after Diwali and also share the same with NCP president Sharad Pawar.

    ALSO READ| Nawab Malik confirmed that MVA Ministers have links with drug mafias: Mohit Kamoj

    On Tuesday, Fadnavis said, “Nawab Malik and his family members were part of a company which purchased land in Kurla (area of Mumbai) at a very low rate by making some fictitious documents. There are four such land purchase deals where I can firmly say that Malik has entered into land deals with the underworld.”

    He claimed the land was purchased from Sardar Shahwali Khan and Saleem Ishaq Patel, who were convicted in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case. “Why did you do business with the killers of Mumbaikars?” the BJP leader asked.

    “Another question arises that why did these two accused persons sell their land to Malik? They were about to get convicted under then TADA (Terrorist and Disruptive Activities Prevention Act). As per that legal provision, all the properties of convicts get attached and come under government control. Did Malik help them to avoid such land on prime location from getting attached?” he asked.

    The LoP claimed Nawab Malik’s son Faraz Malik had signed the agreement documents of the Kurla land deal with Sardar Shahwali Khan and Saleem Ishaq Patel. “I did not have this information earlier (during chief ministerial tenure). Had I found it, I would have exposed him (Nawab Malik) earlier. I will submit these documents to appropriate authorities like the CBI, ED or NIA. I will also share a copy of it with NCP chief Sharad Pawar,” he said.

    Nawab Malik has since last month levelled a series of allegations against Narcotics Control Bureau’s (NCB) Mumbai zonal director Sameer Wankhede after he led a raid on a cruise ship, following which actor Shah Rukh Khan’s son Aryan Khan and some others were arrested.

    The NCP leader’s son-in-law Sameer Khan was also arrested by the NCB earlier this year in an alleged drugs case and was later granted bail by a court. On November 1, Devendra Fadnavis had said Malik’s attack on the NCB was an attempt to put pressure on officials of the anti-drugs agency so that the case against his son-in-law is weakened.

  • High Court seeks Nawab Malik’s response on defamation suit filed by NCB officer Sameer Wankhede’s father

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court on Monday directed Maharashtra minister and NCP leader Nawab Malik to submit an affidavit in response to a defamation suit filed by Dhyandev Wankhede, the father of Narcotics Control Bureau’s (NCB) Mumbai zonal director Sameer Wankhede.

    A vacation bench of Justice Madhav Jamdar asked Malik to file his affidavit by Tuesday, and posted the matter for further hearing on Wednesday.

    “You (Malik) file your reply by tomorrow. If you can reply on Twitter, you can reply here also,” Justice Jamdar said, without passing any order restraining Malik from making any further statements against the plaintiff (Dhyandev Wankhede).

    Advocate Arshad Shaikh, appearing for Dhyandev Wankhede, told the court that everyday some false and defamatory statement is being made by the defendant (Malik) which then leads to further comments on social media that are further defamatory.

    “Just this morning, the defendant has posted a tweet about Sameer Wankhede’s sister-in-law,” Shaikh argued, adding that at least till the matter is heard, the court should either direct Malik or he should himself restrain from making any further statements.

    Malik’s advocate Atul Damle, while seeking time to file an affidavit to the suit, told the court that the plaintiff cannot speak on behalf of his adult children and also cannot attribute to Malik what other persons have commented on social media.

    Dhyandev Wankhede, in his suit, has sought damages to the tune of Rs 1.25 crore from Malik for allegedly making defamatory comments against his son Sameer Wankhede and family through press conferences and via social media.

    The suit has sought an order declaring Malik’s statements as defamatory in nature and a permanent injunction restraining the NCP leader from publishing or making statements before the media, including his social media accounts.

    The suit stated that the statements by Malik that Wankhede is a Muslim amounted to questioning the religious beliefs of the family by disputing that they are not Hindus.

    It claimed that Malik’s statements caused an irreparable loss, damage, harm, prejudice to the name, character, reputation and societal image of Wankhede and his family.

    The suit also sought directions to Malik to take back all defamatory statements made by him so far and also to delete all his tweets posted against the plaintiff and his family members.

    Sameer Wankhede had last month led a raid on a cruise ship and the NCB claimed to have seized drugs onboard.

    Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan’s son Aryan Khan and 19 others were later arrested in connection with the cruise drugs case.

    Malik has repeatedly termed the cruise drugs case as “fake” and levelled a string of allegations against the NCB officer.