News Analysis India

Tag: NCP

  • MVA in shreds? Raut says many NCP MLAs in favour of joining BJP

    Express News Service

    MUMBAI:  As a ‘blinding dust storm’ within the NCP takes time to settle, the revelations by Sharad Pawar in his biography ‘Lok Maja Sangati’ (On My Terms) have further soured his party’s relationship with Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena. 

    That has impacted badly on the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), an alliance of Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP. Sharad Pawar, the MVA architect, has said in his biography that Uddhav failed to prevent the revolt within the party and save the three-party-led government as well.

    In his response, Uddhav Thackeray said on Thursday that everyone has the right to write his own biography. “Whatever work I have done as chief minister is in the public domain. My work during the pandemic has been appreciated and people perceive me as their family member. I will not speak more about it,” Uddhav said.

    In the book, Pawar says he used to comfortably speak with Balasaheb Thackeray but found it difficult while interacting with Uddhav after he became the CM. Then it was the turn of Sanjay Raut, the Sena (Uddhav) Rajya Sabha member. In his edit column in the party organ Saamana on Thursday, he said a section of the NCP is on the verge of joining the BJP. “Sharad does not want to see a split in his party, so he chose to quit as party chief. Another reason was that he wants to retain his secular image,” Raut wrote.

    He said Sharad Pawar has taken the “right decision” by announcing his resignation as the party chief. “NCP state chief Jayant Patil spoke of feelings of common party workers — Pawar is NCP and vice versa. People vote for the NCP by looking at Sharad Pawar only.” Then came the truth as seen by him. “A section of the NCP is already on the threshold of joining the BJP. A political earthquake can take place in Maharashtra at any time,” Raut said.

    MUMBAI:  As a ‘blinding dust storm’ within the NCP takes time to settle, the revelations by Sharad Pawar in his biography ‘Lok Maja Sangati’ (On My Terms) have further soured his party’s relationship with Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena. 

    That has impacted badly on the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), an alliance of Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP. Sharad Pawar, the MVA architect, has said in his biography that Uddhav failed to prevent the revolt within the party and save the three-party-led government as well.

    In his response, Uddhav Thackeray said on Thursday that everyone has the right to write his own biography. “Whatever work I have done as chief minister is in the public domain. My work during the pandemic has been appreciated and people perceive me as their family member. I will not speak more about it,” Uddhav said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    In the book, Pawar says he used to comfortably speak with Balasaheb Thackeray but found it difficult while interacting with Uddhav after he became the CM. Then it was the turn of Sanjay Raut, the Sena (Uddhav) Rajya Sabha member. In his edit column in the party organ Saamana on Thursday, he said a section of the NCP is on the verge of joining the BJP. “Sharad does not want to see a split in his party, so he chose to quit as party chief. Another reason was that he wants to retain his secular image,” Raut wrote.

    He said Sharad Pawar has taken the “right decision” by announcing his resignation as the party chief. “NCP state chief Jayant Patil spoke of feelings of common party workers — Pawar is NCP and vice versa. People vote for the NCP by looking at Sharad Pawar only.” Then came the truth as seen by him. “A section of the NCP is already on the threshold of joining the BJP. A political earthquake can take place in Maharashtra at any time,” Raut said.

  • Sharad Pawar needs 2-3 days to think about decision of stepping down as NCP chief: Ajit

    Scores of Nationalist Congress Party workers refused to leave the venue, where Pawar earlier in the day announced his decision to step down as NCP chief. MUMBAI: Seeking to pacify party workers protesting against his announcement to step down as NCP chief, Sharad Pawar on Tuesday said he will need two to three days to “think over” his decision.

    Conveying his message to protesting party workers, his nephew Ajit Pawar also requested NCP functionaries not to resign from their posts in protest against Pawar senior’s surprise decision.

    “He (Sharad Pawar) has said he has made his decision, but he will need two-three days to think it over on account of your insistence.

    But he will think it over only when all workers go home,” Ajit told party workers at the premises of the Yashwantrao Chavan Pratishthan here.

    Scores of Nationalist Congress Party workers refused to leave the venue, where Pawar earlier in the day announced his decision during the launch of his revised autobiography.

    They stayed put even after Pawar left for his residence.

  • Remarks on Maha Vikas Aghadi twisted, out of context: Sharad Pawar

    Express News Service

    MUMBAI:  NCP leader Sharad Pawar said his party is a part of the united Opposition and that his words were twisted to create confusion. He said on Monday that his statement on the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has twisted and different meanings were spread.

    While one visit to Amravati. Pawar said they are part of Maha Vikas Aghadi, and there is a willingness to work together as well. “But the desire alone is not always enough. The allotment of seats has not been yet discussed. There are issues regarding seat sharing, so, how can I tell you about the alliance of MVA” when he was asked whether MVA parties will fight the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections together.

    Meanwhile,Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Sanjay Raut said that MVA will contest the next assembly elections together. He said, Maha Vikas Aghadi will remain united. BJP’s president Chandrashekhar Bawankule said, NCP chief Sharad Pawar is not committed to be a part of the MVA.

    Meanwhile amidst talk of Ajit Pawar mobilising the group of 40 MLAs to join the BJP and becoming  the chief minister of Maharashtra, NCP chief Sharad Pawar has also warned the party members of stern action if attempts were made to break the party.

    “There are issues regarding seat sharing, so, how can I tell you about the alliance of MVA?” Desire alone is not always enough. The allotment of seats has not been yet discussed. There are issues regarding seat sharing, so, how can I tell you about the alliance of MVA,  says NCP chief Sharad Pawar.

    Paxar said his party is a part of the united opposition (M.V.A) and that his words were twisted to create confusion. He clarified  on Monday that his statement on Maha Vikas Aghadi has twisted and different meanings were spread. While on a visit to Amravati. Pawar said they are part of Maha Vikas Aghadi, and there is a willingness to work together as well.

    “But the desire alone is not always enough. The allotment of seats has not been yet discussed. There are issues regarding seat sharing, so, how can I tell you about the alliance of MVA?” he said when he was asked whether MVA parties will fight the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections together.

    Meanwhile,Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Sanjay Raut said that MVA will contest the next assembly elections together.  Amidst talk of Ajit Pawar mobilising the group of 40 MLAs to join the BJP and becoming  the CM, Pawar warned members of stern action if attempts were made to break the party.

    Meanwhile, CM Shinde goes on 3-day leave 

    Amid talks of change of guard in Maharashtra and new political realignment, Maharashtra Chief minister Eknath Shinde surprisingly took an unofficial leave for three days to visit his home town in Satara district.

    According to the sources close to Shinde, there was no plan to go on unofficial leave, but the chief minister after conducting meetings with district collectors and divisional commissioners informed his staff that he is leaving for his home town in Satara.

    Shinde will be on leave from April 24 to 26. “It was surprising that CM Eknath Shinde went for a three-day-leave to his home town when a lot of political developments are happening in Maharashtra. The Chief Minister is not happy with the BJP for their talks behind the curtain with the NCP leader Ajit Pawar for different political alignment in state, when it was working perfectly on the BJP’s agenda and plan. He did not expect such political development to start at this juncture,” said a person close to Eknath.

    MUMBAI:  NCP leader Sharad Pawar said his party is a part of the united Opposition and that his words were twisted to create confusion. He said on Monday that his statement on the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has twisted and different meanings were spread.

    While one visit to Amravati. Pawar said they are part of Maha Vikas Aghadi, and there is a willingness to work together as well. “But the desire alone is not always enough. The allotment of seats has not been yet discussed. There are issues regarding seat sharing, so, how can I tell you about the alliance of MVA” when he was asked whether MVA parties will fight the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections together.

    Meanwhile,Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Sanjay Raut said that MVA will contest the next assembly elections together. He said, Maha Vikas Aghadi will remain united. BJP’s president Chandrashekhar Bawankule said, NCP chief Sharad Pawar is not committed to be a part of the MVA.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Meanwhile amidst talk of Ajit Pawar mobilising the group of 40 MLAs to join the BJP and becoming  the chief minister of Maharashtra, NCP chief Sharad Pawar has also warned the party members of stern action if attempts were made to break the party.

    “There are issues regarding seat sharing, so, how can I tell you about the alliance of MVA?” Desire alone is not always enough. The allotment of seats has not been yet discussed. There are issues regarding seat sharing, so, how can I tell you about the alliance of MVA,  says NCP chief Sharad Pawar.

    Paxar said his party is a part of the united opposition (M.V.A) and that his words were twisted to create confusion. He clarified  on Monday that his statement on Maha Vikas Aghadi has twisted and different meanings were spread. While on a visit to Amravati. Pawar said they are part of Maha Vikas Aghadi, and there is a willingness to work together as well.

    “But the desire alone is not always enough. The allotment of seats has not been yet discussed. There are issues regarding seat sharing, so, how can I tell you about the alliance of MVA?” he said when he was asked whether MVA parties will fight the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections together.

    Meanwhile,Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Sanjay Raut said that MVA will contest the next assembly elections together.  Amidst talk of Ajit Pawar mobilising the group of 40 MLAs to join the BJP and becoming  the CM, Pawar warned members of stern action if attempts were made to break the party.

    Meanwhile, CM Shinde goes on 3-day leave 

    Amid talks of change of guard in Maharashtra and new political realignment, Maharashtra Chief minister Eknath Shinde surprisingly took an unofficial leave for three days to visit his home town in Satara district.

    According to the sources close to Shinde, there was no plan to go on unofficial leave, but the chief minister after conducting meetings with district collectors and divisional commissioners informed his staff that he is leaving for his home town in Satara.

    Shinde will be on leave from April 24 to 26. “It was surprising that CM Eknath Shinde went for a three-day-leave to his home town when a lot of political developments are happening in Maharashtra. The Chief Minister is not happy with the BJP for their talks behind the curtain with the NCP leader Ajit Pawar for different political alignment in state, when it was working perfectly on the BJP’s agenda and plan. He did not expect such political development to start at this juncture,” said a person close to Eknath.

  • Ajit Pawar capable of becoming Maha CM, says Sanjay Raut

    By PTI

    JALGAON: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Saturday said Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar was capable of becoming Maharashtra chief minister since he has vast administrative experience, the statement coming days after the two engaged in a verbal tussle.

    Notably, amid speculation surrounding his next political move, Ajit Pawar on Friday said he would “100 per cent” like to become the chief minister. He had also said that NCP can stake a claim to the post of the chief minister “now also” instead of waiting for 2024.

    Raut, a key aide of Uddhav Thackeray, also said some undeserving people had gone on to become CM of the state by engineering splits, an apparent reference to Eknath Shinde whose rebellion along with 40 MLAs in June last year brought down the Maha Vikas Aghadi government.

    Raut also said there is no difference regarding the chief minister’s post in the Maha Vikas Aghadi, which includes Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP, and Congress, and the alliance is united and strong. He asserted that the MVA will come back (to power) in 2024 and it “will look into it (the post of chief minister).”

    “Who would not like to be chief minister? And Ajit Pawar is capable of becoming chief minister. He has been in politics for so many years now and has been a minister several times. He holds a record for having served as deputy CM the most number of times. Everyone thinks one should become CM,” Raut told reporters.

    ALSO READ | Why 2024, NCP can stake claim to Maharashtra CM post now also: Ajit Pawar

    On November 23, 2019, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Devendra Fadnavis, and Ajit Pawar, were sworn in as chief minister and deputy CM, respectively, but the government fell without proving its majority on November 28. Ajit Pawar went back to the NCP and was made deputy CM in the Maha Vikas Aghadi government led by Uddhav Thackeray.

    During an interview with a media house in Pune, Ajit Pawar on Friday responded to a query on his chief ministerial ambitions by saying “Yes, I would 100 per cent like to be (CM).”

    Queried on this, Raut said, “He (Ajit Pawar) has not expressed this desire for the first time. So my best wishes to him.”

    These statements come amid intense speculation about Ajit Pawar’s next political move, as the mercurial NCP leader cancelled some of his programmes recently, went incommunicado briefly and skipped the party’s one-day convention in Mumbai on Friday.

    While there is a buzz about his growing proximity with the ruling BJP, Ajit Pawar has said he will be with the NCP till he is alive, and Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule also recently stated the former was not in touch with the saffron party.

    ALSO READ | Sharad Pawar tightens his grip over NCP, tells Ajit not to break it

    Sparks flew recently between Ajit Pawar and Raut after the latter’s weekly column in Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece ‘Saamana’ dealt with a meeting between NCP chief Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray.

    Raut, in his column, claimed Sharad Pawar had told Thackeray that the NCP would never align with the BJP, though “if anyone takes a personal decision to leave, it is their individual issue.”

    Hitting back, Ajit Pawar, on Tuesday, trained his guns on Raut and said some spokespersons of other parties were behaving like spokespersons of the NCP. The former deputy CM also said he would raise this issue whenever there is a meeting of the NCP.

    Raut responded by saying he listens only to Sharad Pawar.

    JALGAON: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Saturday said Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar was capable of becoming Maharashtra chief minister since he has vast administrative experience, the statement coming days after the two engaged in a verbal tussle.

    Notably, amid speculation surrounding his next political move, Ajit Pawar on Friday said he would “100 per cent” like to become the chief minister. He had also said that NCP can stake a claim to the post of the chief minister “now also” instead of waiting for 2024.

    Raut, a key aide of Uddhav Thackeray, also said some undeserving people had gone on to become CM of the state by engineering splits, an apparent reference to Eknath Shinde whose rebellion along with 40 MLAs in June last year brought down the Maha Vikas Aghadi government.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Raut also said there is no difference regarding the chief minister’s post in the Maha Vikas Aghadi, which includes Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP, and Congress, and the alliance is united and strong. He asserted that the MVA will come back (to power) in 2024 and it “will look into it (the post of chief minister).”

    “Who would not like to be chief minister? And Ajit Pawar is capable of becoming chief minister. He has been in politics for so many years now and has been a minister several times. He holds a record for having served as deputy CM the most number of times. Everyone thinks one should become CM,” Raut told reporters.

    ALSO READ | Why 2024, NCP can stake claim to Maharashtra CM post now also: Ajit Pawar

    On November 23, 2019, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Devendra Fadnavis, and Ajit Pawar, were sworn in as chief minister and deputy CM, respectively, but the government fell without proving its majority on November 28. Ajit Pawar went back to the NCP and was made deputy CM in the Maha Vikas Aghadi government led by Uddhav Thackeray.

    During an interview with a media house in Pune, Ajit Pawar on Friday responded to a query on his chief ministerial ambitions by saying “Yes, I would 100 per cent like to be (CM).”

    Queried on this, Raut said, “He (Ajit Pawar) has not expressed this desire for the first time. So my best wishes to him.”

    These statements come amid intense speculation about Ajit Pawar’s next political move, as the mercurial NCP leader cancelled some of his programmes recently, went incommunicado briefly and skipped the party’s one-day convention in Mumbai on Friday.

    While there is a buzz about his growing proximity with the ruling BJP, Ajit Pawar has said he will be with the NCP till he is alive, and Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule also recently stated the former was not in touch with the saffron party.

    ALSO READ | Sharad Pawar tightens his grip over NCP, tells Ajit not to break it

    Sparks flew recently between Ajit Pawar and Raut after the latter’s weekly column in Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece ‘Saamana’ dealt with a meeting between NCP chief Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray.

    Raut, in his column, claimed Sharad Pawar had told Thackeray that the NCP would never align with the BJP, though “if anyone takes a personal decision to leave, it is their individual issue.”

    Hitting back, Ajit Pawar, on Tuesday, trained his guns on Raut and said some spokespersons of other parties were behaving like spokespersons of the NCP. The former deputy CM also said he would raise this issue whenever there is a meeting of the NCP.

    Raut responded by saying he listens only to Sharad Pawar.

  • Why 2024, NCP can stake claim to Maharashtra CM post now also: Ajit Pawar

    By PTI

    PUNE: Amid speculation over his next political move, senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar on Friday said his outfit can stake a claim to the post of Maharashtra’s chief minister “now also” instead of waiting for 2024 when Assembly polls are due in the state.

    The Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly also told an interviewer that he will “100 per cent” like to be chief minister of Maharashtra.

    In a free-wheeling interview to the Sakal Media Group at a programme called ‘Dilkhulas Dada’ in Pune, Pawar said he had heard that Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, before his rebellion against the Shiv Sena leadership in June 2022, was unhappy and something was going in his mind.

    Pawar revealed his colleague late R R Patil would have become Chief Minister in 2004 when the NCP had won more Assembly seats than its ally Congress, but a message came from Delhi that his party will get the deputy CM’s post.

    Asked whether the NCP will stake a claim for the chief minister’s post next year when Assembly polls are due in Maharashtra, he remarked, “Why 2024, we are ready to stake a claim for the CM position now also.”

    He, however, did not elaborate on the statement.

    During the rapid fire round, the MLA from Baramati in Pune district, who has served as deputy CM multiple times, was asked by the interviewer whether he would like to become chief minister.

    To this, Pawar promptly replied, “Yes, I would 100 per cent like to be (CM).”

    ALSO READ | Sharad Pawar tightens his grip over NCP, tells Ajit not to break it

    Asked why the NCP has an attraction for the deputy CM’s position as the party has got that post on multiple occasions in the last 20 years, the veteran politician said in 2004, the NCP and the Congress fought Assembly elections in an alliance and the former had won more seats.

    “We got 71 seats, while the Congress won 69. Everyone, including the Congress, thought CM would be from the NCP. However, some decisions were taken at the highest level and a message came from Delhi that the NCP will get the deputy chief minister position and the CM post went to Congress,” he said.

    Pawar said his colleague Patil was chosen as the Leader of the House (Assembly), and he would have become chief minister in 2004 if the top post was given to the NCP. In the subsequent Assembly polls, the Congress bagged more seats than the NCP and naturally kept the CM’s post with itself, he said.

    Asked whether he liked working with Congress CM Prithviraj Chavan or Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray, who occupied the top post from November 2019 to June 2022, Pawar said they worked with the latter “happily”, but working with the former was out of choice.

    On Shinde’s revolt and subsequent split in the Shiv Sena, the former deputy CM said they used to hear that Shinde, then his Cabinet colleague in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, was unhappy and sensed something was going on in his mind.

    “We had alerted Pawar Saheb (NCP president Sharad Pawar) and Thackeray was also apprised about it. The BJP had been trying to pull down the MVA government since the first day of its formation. The wife of a key politician confessed later that her husband used to go out in disguise, and later some ministers said Shinde and a particular leader used to meet,” Pawar said without taking any names.

    ALSO READ | Won’t be in govt if Ajit Pawar joins BJP with NCP group: Shinde camp

    He said during the MVA government, Thackeray had given full control of Thane district to Shinde, then a Cabinet minister, and some officials appointed by him had helped rebel Shiv Sena MLAs to sneak out of Mumbai and reach Surat on June 20.

    Queried about him being soft on senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis, Pawar said the two had political and ideological differences but weren’t enemies, and cited the example of Sharad Pawar and Shiv Sena founder late Bal Thackeray who attacked each other during rallies and speeches but were good friends.

    Pawar went on add that a commonality between him and Fadnavis was that they were both born on July 22. Pawar was born in 1959 and Fadnavis in 1970.

    Speaking about the rise of the BJP over the last few years, Pawar said it was all due to the charisma of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who managed to lead the party to a majority in consecutive Lok Sabha polls in 2014 and 2019, a feat which even veterans like former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Lal Krishna Advani could not manage.

    “However, today when the question is asked who after Modi, then no name comes to the fore and we know going forward there will be coalition governments at the national level,” the NCP leader added.

    On India surpassing China as the world’s most populous nation, Pawar said some stringent measures need to be taken to check its growth.

    “A child is not a blessing of Allah or Parameshwar. It is the blessing of the husband and wife. This fact should be understood by all and superstitions on this issue must be removed,” Pawar said.

    He said had the five-point programme of Sanjay Gandhi (to check population growth) been implemented properly, the problems associated with the rise in population would not have been faced by the country.

    Pawar on Friday skipped a meeting of his party’s Mumbai unit, raising eyebrows in political circles as speculation about his next political move refuses to die down.

    Speaking to reporters in Pune, Pawar played down the buzz saying he was unable to attend the NCP convention as he had to remain present for some other programmes happening at the same time.

    He insisted nothing much should be read into this.

    ALSO READ | Ajit Pawar gets signatures of 40 ready to bolt

    PUNE: Amid speculation over his next political move, senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar on Friday said his outfit can stake a claim to the post of Maharashtra’s chief minister “now also” instead of waiting for 2024 when Assembly polls are due in the state.

    The Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly also told an interviewer that he will “100 per cent” like to be chief minister of Maharashtra.

    In a free-wheeling interview to the Sakal Media Group at a programme called ‘Dilkhulas Dada’ in Pune, Pawar said he had heard that Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, before his rebellion against the Shiv Sena leadership in June 2022, was unhappy and something was going in his mind.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Pawar revealed his colleague late R R Patil would have become Chief Minister in 2004 when the NCP had won more Assembly seats than its ally Congress, but a message came from Delhi that his party will get the deputy CM’s post.

    Asked whether the NCP will stake a claim for the chief minister’s post next year when Assembly polls are due in Maharashtra, he remarked, “Why 2024, we are ready to stake a claim for the CM position now also.”

    He, however, did not elaborate on the statement.

    During the rapid fire round, the MLA from Baramati in Pune district, who has served as deputy CM multiple times, was asked by the interviewer whether he would like to become chief minister.

    To this, Pawar promptly replied, “Yes, I would 100 per cent like to be (CM).”

    ALSO READ | Sharad Pawar tightens his grip over NCP, tells Ajit not to break it

    Asked why the NCP has an attraction for the deputy CM’s position as the party has got that post on multiple occasions in the last 20 years, the veteran politician said in 2004, the NCP and the Congress fought Assembly elections in an alliance and the former had won more seats.

    “We got 71 seats, while the Congress won 69. Everyone, including the Congress, thought CM would be from the NCP. However, some decisions were taken at the highest level and a message came from Delhi that the NCP will get the deputy chief minister position and the CM post went to Congress,” he said.

    Pawar said his colleague Patil was chosen as the Leader of the House (Assembly), and he would have become chief minister in 2004 if the top post was given to the NCP. In the subsequent Assembly polls, the Congress bagged more seats than the NCP and naturally kept the CM’s post with itself, he said.

    Asked whether he liked working with Congress CM Prithviraj Chavan or Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray, who occupied the top post from November 2019 to June 2022, Pawar said they worked with the latter “happily”, but working with the former was out of choice.

    On Shinde’s revolt and subsequent split in the Shiv Sena, the former deputy CM said they used to hear that Shinde, then his Cabinet colleague in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, was unhappy and sensed something was going on in his mind.

    “We had alerted Pawar Saheb (NCP president Sharad Pawar) and Thackeray was also apprised about it. The BJP had been trying to pull down the MVA government since the first day of its formation. The wife of a key politician confessed later that her husband used to go out in disguise, and later some ministers said Shinde and a particular leader used to meet,” Pawar said without taking any names.

    ALSO READ | Won’t be in govt if Ajit Pawar joins BJP with NCP group: Shinde camp

    He said during the MVA government, Thackeray had given full control of Thane district to Shinde, then a Cabinet minister, and some officials appointed by him had helped rebel Shiv Sena MLAs to sneak out of Mumbai and reach Surat on June 20.

    Queried about him being soft on senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis, Pawar said the two had political and ideological differences but weren’t enemies, and cited the example of Sharad Pawar and Shiv Sena founder late Bal Thackeray who attacked each other during rallies and speeches but were good friends.

    Pawar went on add that a commonality between him and Fadnavis was that they were both born on July 22. Pawar was born in 1959 and Fadnavis in 1970.

    Speaking about the rise of the BJP over the last few years, Pawar said it was all due to the charisma of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who managed to lead the party to a majority in consecutive Lok Sabha polls in 2014 and 2019, a feat which even veterans like former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Lal Krishna Advani could not manage.

    “However, today when the question is asked who after Modi, then no name comes to the fore and we know going forward there will be coalition governments at the national level,” the NCP leader added.

    On India surpassing China as the world’s most populous nation, Pawar said some stringent measures need to be taken to check its growth.

    “A child is not a blessing of Allah or Parameshwar. It is the blessing of the husband and wife. This fact should be understood by all and superstitions on this issue must be removed,” Pawar said.

    He said had the five-point programme of Sanjay Gandhi (to check population growth) been implemented properly, the problems associated with the rise in population would not have been faced by the country.

    Pawar on Friday skipped a meeting of his party’s Mumbai unit, raising eyebrows in political circles as speculation about his next political move refuses to die down.

    Speaking to reporters in Pune, Pawar played down the buzz saying he was unable to attend the NCP convention as he had to remain present for some other programmes happening at the same time.

    He insisted nothing much should be read into this.

    ALSO READ | Ajit Pawar gets signatures of 40 ready to bolt

  • After Covid-induced break, EC restarts review of recognised party status; hears 3 national, 6 state parties

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: After a halt due to the Covid pandemic, the Election Commission (EC) has restarted the process of reviewing the recognised status of political parties based on their performance in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls and has given individual hearings to NCP and CPI, two of the eight recognised national parties.

    EC sources said TMC was also called. When asked whether he had represented his party before the EC on Thursday, TMC MP Sukhendu Shekar Ray replied in the negative.

    The commission has also heard six recognised state parties based on paras 6A, B and C of the Election Symbol (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968. The paragraphs deal with criteria for parties to get national or state party status.

    After the 2019 parliamentary polls, the EC had issued notices to TMC, CPI and NCP, asking why their status should not be downgraded based on the outcome of the general election. However, the process could not move forward due to the pandemic. In November last year, the poll panel revived the process.

    On Tuesday, it heard the response of the Nationalist Congress Party and the CPI.

    “It is a routine exercise. We gave a written representation to EC explaining that we are the oldest political party and have been taking part in parliamentary democracy, formed government on its own in Kerala and have been part of many coalition governments,” CPI general secretary D Raja said.

    An NCP representative had submitted details to EC officials.  A senior party leader described the notice as a “routine matter”.

    “It is an ongoing process that is carried out after every election. Things might have changed for some parties after the recent assembly polls in three states. After Karnataka polls, things could change for other parties,” explained a party functionary. Earlier, the Election Commission heard six state parties to seek their views on the notices. 

    These are Bharat Rashtra Samithi, Mizoram Peoples Conference, Rashtriya Lok Dal, People’s Democratic Alliance, Pattali Makkal Katchi and Revolutionary Socialist Party.

    A recognised national party can contest on all Lok Sabha and assembly seats on its symbol. It also gets to field more star campaigners for electioneering.

    BJP, BSP, CPI, CPI-M, Congress, TMC, NCP and National People’s Party are the eight recognised national parties. There are over 50 recognised state parties.

    NEW DELHI: After a halt due to the Covid pandemic, the Election Commission (EC) has restarted the process of reviewing the recognised status of political parties based on their performance in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls and has given individual hearings to NCP and CPI, two of the eight recognised national parties.

    EC sources said TMC was also called. When asked whether he had represented his party before the EC on Thursday, TMC MP Sukhendu Shekar Ray replied in the negative.

    The commission has also heard six recognised state parties based on paras 6A, B and C of the Election Symbol (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968. The paragraphs deal with criteria for parties to get national or state party status.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    After the 2019 parliamentary polls, the EC had issued notices to TMC, CPI and NCP, asking why their status should not be downgraded based on the outcome of the general election. However, the process could not move forward due to the pandemic. In November last year, the poll panel revived the process.

    On Tuesday, it heard the response of the Nationalist Congress Party and the CPI.

    “It is a routine exercise. We gave a written representation to EC explaining that we are the oldest political party and have been taking part in parliamentary democracy, formed government on its own in Kerala and have been part of many coalition governments,” CPI general secretary D Raja said.

    An NCP representative had submitted details to EC officials.  A senior party leader described the notice as a “routine matter”.

    “It is an ongoing process that is carried out after every election. Things might have changed for some parties after the recent assembly polls in three states. After Karnataka polls, things could change for other parties,” explained a party functionary. Earlier, the Election Commission heard six state parties to seek their views on the notices. 

    These are Bharat Rashtra Samithi, Mizoram Peoples Conference, Rashtriya Lok Dal, People’s Democratic Alliance, Pattali Makkal Katchi and Revolutionary Socialist Party.

    A recognised national party can contest on all Lok Sabha and assembly seats on its symbol. It also gets to field more star campaigners for electioneering.

    BJP, BSP, CPI, CPI-M, Congress, TMC, NCP and National People’s Party are the eight recognised national parties. There are over 50 recognised state parties.

  • 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.”

  • SC dismisses CBI appeal against bail for ex-Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: In a major relief for former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh, the Supreme Court on Monday dismissed the CBI’s appeal challenging the Bombay High Court order granting bail to the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader in a corruption case.

    A bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices V Ramasubramanian and JB Pardiwala noted that Deshmukh has also been granted bail in the related money laundering case.

    The CBI, in December last year, approached the Supreme Court challenging the Bombay High Court order granting bail to Deshmukh in the graft case.

    The high court had on December 12 granted bail to the 73-year-old NCP leader but said the order will be effective after 10 days, as the Central Bureau of Investigation sought time to challenge it in the apex court.

    The high court had said except for dismissed police officer Sachin Waze’s statement, none recorded by the CBI indicated money was extorted from bar owners in Mumbai at the behest of the politician.

    In its plea filed in the top court, the probe agency has claimed the high court committed a “grave error” in granting bail to Deshmukh disregarding the serious objections raised by the probe agency both on the merits of the case as well as the effect his bail will have on the continuing investigation.

    NEW DELHI: In a major relief for former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh, the Supreme Court on Monday dismissed the CBI’s appeal challenging the Bombay High Court order granting bail to the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader in a corruption case.

    A bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices V Ramasubramanian and JB Pardiwala noted that Deshmukh has also been granted bail in the related money laundering case.

    The CBI, in December last year, approached the Supreme Court challenging the Bombay High Court order granting bail to Deshmukh in the graft case.

    The high court had on December 12 granted bail to the 73-year-old NCP leader but said the order will be effective after 10 days, as the Central Bureau of Investigation sought time to challenge it in the apex court.

    The high court had said except for dismissed police officer Sachin Waze’s statement, none recorded by the CBI indicated money was extorted from bar owners in Mumbai at the behest of the politician.

    In its plea filed in the top court, the probe agency has claimed the high court committed a “grave error” in granting bail to Deshmukh disregarding the serious objections raised by the probe agency both on the merits of the case as well as the effect his bail will have on the continuing investigation.

  • 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.

  • Opposition boycotts proceedings of Maha legislature for ‘not letting’ its leaders speak

    By PTI

    NAGPUR:  Leaders of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) on Friday boycotted the proceedings of both Houses of the Maharashtra legislature, and protested against the state government at the Vidhan Bhavan complex here, accusing it of not letting them speak in the Assembly and the Council.

    The leaders of the MVA, comprising the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Shiv Sena’s Uddhav Thackeray-led faction and Congress, also condemned the suspension of senior NCP leader Jayant Patil for alleged derogatory remark against the Assembly Speaker on Thursday.

    Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Ajit Pawar, Sena (UBT) leaders Aaditya Thackeray and Bhaskar Jadhav, Congress’s Balasaheb Thorat, NCP leaders Rajesh Tope, Dhananjay Munde, Dilip Walse Patil and others were seen sporting black ribbons to protest against the Eknath Shinde-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government.

    They held the protest by sitting on the steps of the legislature complex.

    A senior Congress leader said, “We are boycotting the proceedings of both the Houses to protest against the government which is not letting the members of the opposition speak in the legislature.”

    Aaditya Thackeray said, “Unless and until the speaker gives us assurance that the opposition members will get an opportunity to speak, we will stay out. We want to raise the issues of Governor B S Koshyari’s remarks against iconic personalities, CM Shinde’s involvement in land allotment scam and the Maharashtra-Karnataka border issue.”

    The opposition legislators raised slogans against the Shinde-Fadnavis government on these issues. When asked about his name being linked to the death case of Disha Salian, a former manager of late actor Sushant Singh Rajput, Thackeray said it was a “conspiracy” to malign him.

    According to police, Salian (28) allegedly committed suicide by jumping from a high-rise in Malad area of Mumbai on June 8, 2020.

    Rajput, 34, was found hanging at his apartment in Mumbai’s Bandra area on June 14, 2020. Talking to reporters, Thackeray said, “My (maternal) grandfather died on the same day. All I can say is that the government is scared of a 32-year-old youth. We will continue to raise the issue of Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) land allotment case and demand the resignation of the chief minister. I am ashamed that these people were once with us.”

    Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the Home portfolio, had announced in the Assembly on Thursday that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) will be formed to conduct a probe into the death of Salian.

    The winter session of the state legislature, which began on Monday, is scheduled to end on December 30.

    NAGPUR:  Leaders of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) on Friday boycotted the proceedings of both Houses of the Maharashtra legislature, and protested against the state government at the Vidhan Bhavan complex here, accusing it of not letting them speak in the Assembly and the Council.

    The leaders of the MVA, comprising the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Shiv Sena’s Uddhav Thackeray-led faction and Congress, also condemned the suspension of senior NCP leader Jayant Patil for alleged derogatory remark against the Assembly Speaker on Thursday.

    Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Ajit Pawar, Sena (UBT) leaders Aaditya Thackeray and Bhaskar Jadhav, Congress’s Balasaheb Thorat, NCP leaders Rajesh Tope, Dhananjay Munde, Dilip Walse Patil and others were seen sporting black ribbons to protest against the Eknath Shinde-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government.

    They held the protest by sitting on the steps of the legislature complex.

    A senior Congress leader said, “We are boycotting the proceedings of both the Houses to protest against the government which is not letting the members of the opposition speak in the legislature.”

    Aaditya Thackeray said, “Unless and until the speaker gives us assurance that the opposition members will get an opportunity to speak, we will stay out. We want to raise the issues of Governor B S Koshyari’s remarks against iconic personalities, CM Shinde’s involvement in land allotment scam and the Maharashtra-Karnataka border issue.”

    The opposition legislators raised slogans against the Shinde-Fadnavis government on these issues. When asked about his name being linked to the death case of Disha Salian, a former manager of late actor Sushant Singh Rajput, Thackeray said it was a “conspiracy” to malign him.

    According to police, Salian (28) allegedly committed suicide by jumping from a high-rise in Malad area of Mumbai on June 8, 2020.

    Rajput, 34, was found hanging at his apartment in Mumbai’s Bandra area on June 14, 2020. Talking to reporters, Thackeray said, “My (maternal) grandfather died on the same day. All I can say is that the government is scared of a 32-year-old youth. We will continue to raise the issue of Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) land allotment case and demand the resignation of the chief minister. I am ashamed that these people were once with us.”

    Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the Home portfolio, had announced in the Assembly on Thursday that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) will be formed to conduct a probe into the death of Salian.

    The winter session of the state legislature, which began on Monday, is scheduled to end on December 30.