News Analysis India

Tag: NCP

  • NCP: Malik’s portfolios to be given ‘temporarily’ to his cabinet colleagues

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: The NCP has decided to “temporarily” give charge of portfolios held by jailed Maharashtra Minister Nawab Malik to his cabinet colleagues from the party, but the ruling coalition partner will not seek his resignation, Water Resources Minister Jayant Patil said on Thursday.

    Patil, who is also the NCP’s Maharashtra unit president, said the party’s decision will be conveyed to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray who, he added, will take the final call in this regard.

    Interacting with media persons here after attending a meeting called by NCP president Sharad Pawar to discuss the issue, Patil maintained the party will not take Malik’s resignation as the latter “was arrested in a wrong manner”.

    The meeting took place at Sharad Pawar’s residence here. It was attended by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, ministers Chhagan Bhujbal and Dilip Walse Patil and party’s senior leaders Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare, besides Patil.

    Malik, a senior NCP leader, is a cabinet minister who holds minority affairs and skill development portfolios in the Shiv Sena-led MVA government.

    The 62-year-old NCP leader, arrested in late February by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an alleged money laundering case, is currently in jail under judicial custody.

    Malik, who heads the NCP’s Mumbai unit, is also the guardian minister for Parbhani and Gondia districts. “His bail plea was rejected once again (recently). Hence, the charge of his responsibilities (portfolios) will be given to others in the next two to four days. We have decided to make this alternate temporary arrangement until he is available again,” Patil said.

    He said the details as to who will get charge of Malik’s portfolios will be declared after the same is informed to the chief minister first.

    According to sources, the NCP may give the charge of minority affairs portfolio to Housing Development Minister Jitendra Awhad. The charge of the skill development department may go to Rural Development Minister Hasan Mushrif, they added.

    Patil said the charge of Malik’s guardian ministerships of Parbhani and Gondia will be given to Social Justice Minister Dhananjay Munde and Minister of State for Urban Development Prajakt Tanpure, respectively.

    A formal request in this regard will be made to the chief minister, who will take a final call, the NCP minister added.

    Patil further said Malik will continue to remain the party’s Mumbai unit chief.

    However, the party has decided to appoint two working presidents, Narendra Rane and Rakhi Jadhav, in the Mumbai unit in view of the forthcoming civic polls in Mumbai, he added.

    On BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis’s remark in Nagpur that the BJP will win single-handedly in the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly polls, Patil quipped, “I thank him on behalf of the MVA for saying that the alliance will be in power till 2024.”

    He asserted that Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) MLAs will “not break away” and added that the alliance government is “stable and there is no threat to it”.

    The NCP and the Congress are constituents of the Shiv Sena-led MVA which came to power in November 2019.

    Fadnavis, a former CM, recently created a flutter when he accused the MVA of hatching a conspiracy to target BJP leaders and submitted a pen drive “as proof” to the Deputy Assembly Speaker.

    Asked about the claim made by the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, Patil said authenticity of the content in the pen drive needs to be verified.

  • Maharashtra Assembly adjourned after Opposition asks government on Nawab Malik’s resignation

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: The Maharashtra Assembly was adjourned for 30 minutes on Wednesday after Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis demanded that the state government make a statement over the BJP’s demand that state minister Nawab Malik should either resign or be removed from the cabinet.

    Senior NCP leader Malik was arrested on February 23 by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money-laundering probe linked to the activities of fugitive underworld don Dawood Ibrahim and his aides. He was on Monday sent to judicial custody.

    On Wednesday, soon after the Question Hour in the state Assembly ended, BJP leader Fadnavis said the state government should ask the minister to resign or Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray should remove him from the cabinet.

    Fadnavis said the government should make an announcement about it on the floor of the House immediately. Members of the BJP rushed to the well of the House and shouted slogans against the government.

    Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal then adjourned the House for 30 minutes. The BJP will stage a demonstration in Mumbai later in the day to demand Malik’s resignation.

  • Unhelpful Modi govt has no moral authority to raise fuel prices, says NCP amid Russia-Ukraine war

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: The Narendra Modi government did not give relief to the people of the country when global oil prices were at its lowest, and, hence, it does not have the moral authority to hike fuel rates in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine war, the NCP said on Tuesday.

    NCP’s Maharashtra unit chief spokesperson Mahesh Tapase alleged that with the Assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh and four other states over, the Centre seems to be contemplating an “imminent rise” in the retail price of fuel.

    He noted that the global crude oil price has soared to $140 per barrel in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine war.

    “When the international price of crude was at its lowest, the Modi government didn’t give any relief to the citizens by lowering the retail prices of petrol and diesel. Hence, the Modi government should not cry about price rise of crude oil and has no moral authority to even think of any price hike in retail petroleum prices in the days to come,” Tapase said in a statement.

    The NCP leader said people had been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic and the resultant lockdown and any hike in fuel prices would severely impact them.

    “The Union government should absorb the burden and relieve the citizens from any upward revision of prices of petroleum products,” he said.

    The NCP leader also said the country was seemingly going through a phase of stagflation in which growth rate is reversing and inflation is on the rise.

  • A day after Shivaji statue inauguration by PM Narendra Modi, tile from canopy falls; NCP blames haste

    By PTI

    PUNE: A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the Pune Municipal Corporation headquarter premises, a tile piece from the structure’s canopy fell down on Monday.

    While the NCP said it was a reminder of how the BJP was trying to push forward with inaugurations in a hurry for political gains, the PMC’s building department said the tile piece of the the canopy, which is above the statue of the warrior-king, fell after it was hit by a steel structure when tents and curtains were being dismantled.

    “The incident is unfortunate. The ruling BJP, just to gain political mileage, is rushing into inaugurations in a hurry. The structure was readied for inauguration within seven days while the curing period is 21 days,” said Pune NCP president Prashant Jagtap.

    PMC chief engineer Srinivas Kandul said the tile piece fell after it was hit by a steel structure during the dismantling of curtains and tents put up for the unveiling event.

    “The structure is of the best quality. No substandard material was used during the construction of the structure. The certificate of structural stability has also been received from the consultant,” he said.

  • Unnecessary comments made by some people holding high posts, says Ajit Pawar in presence of PM Modi, Maha Guv

    By PTI

    PUNE: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Sunday said some people holding high posts were making unnecessary comments and this was not acceptable to the people of the state.

    NCP leader Pawar made the comments, apparently aimed at Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari, at Pune’s MIT College ground, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the governor were present during the inauguration of various development projects.

    Notably, some leaders of the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA-comprising the Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress) in Maharashtra as well as the BJP recently objected to Governor Koshyari’s remark that Samarth Ramdas was the guru of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

    On Sunday, before Modi’s public address, Pawar said, “I want to bring one thing to the prime minister’s notice. Of late, some people holding important positions are making unnecessary comments which are not acceptable to Maharashtra and its citizens.

    Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his mother Rajmata Jijau formed Swarajya. Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Krantijyoti Savitribai Phule (both social reformers from Maharashtra) laid the foundation for women’s education. We need to carry forward their legacy without holding grudges against anyone and without bringing politics into the development works,” the NCP leader said.

    Koshyari, during a programme in Aurangabad last Sunday, underlined the role of the guru (teacher) while citing the examples of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Chandragupta Maurya.

    “Many chakravartis (emperors), maharajas took birth on this land. But, who would have asked about Chandragupta had there not been Chanakya? Who would have asked about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj had there not been Samarth (Ramdas),” he said.

    “I am not questioning the calibre of Chandragupta and Shivaji Maharaj.

    Like a mother who plays a key role in shaping her child, similarly, the role of guru (teacher) has a big place in our society,” the governor had said.

    In the past, the MVA government and Koshyari have been engaged in a war of words over various issues.

  • Metro work in Pune incomplete but PM Modi will inaugurate it: Sharad Pawar, says Ukraine rescue more important

    By PTI

    PUNE: On the eve of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Pune, NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Saturday said the work of the Metro service to be inaugurated by the PM is incomplete, and underlined the need to focus more on rescuing Indian students stranded in war-hit Ukraine.

    The prime minister is scheduled to visit Pune on Sunday for the inauguration of the metro service and unveiling other projects.

    “I agree that there are important projects in Pune that are incomplete and the PM will be inaugurating the important one…rescuing students stranded in Ukraine is more important.I think the ruling party must be thinking of it seriously,” Pawar said.

    He was speaking to reporters after inaugurating a hospital in the Warje area of the city.

    The Central government has launched “Operation Ganga” to rescue Indians stranded in Ukraine due to the Russian offensive.

    Pawar had recently spoken to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and requested him to expedite the efforts to bring back Indian students stranded along the Ukraine-Poland border at the earliest.

    Speaking on the plight of Indian students, Pawar on Saturday said that many students are suffering due to the war between Russia and Ukraine.

    “I had spoken with an Indian student stranded there. He told me that the Indian embassy told them to cross the Ukraine border, which is a walk of six-odd hours from where this student is located.

    “The students are ready to walk but extreme cold, bombarding and firing is a major cause of worry for them. I think the ruling party (read BJP) should focus on this. I agree that there are important projects in Pune that are incomplete and PM will be inaugurating the important one (I think) rescuing students stranded in Ukraine is more important. I think the ruling party must be thinking about it seriously,” the former Union minister said.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Pune on March 6 to inaugurate the metro rail, unveil a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the civic body complex and commission other infrastructure projects, Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrakant Patil had said on Monday.

    PM Modi will also perform the groundbreaking ceremony of the riverfront development project, launch electric buses and inaugurate the R K Laxman Gallery, he had said.

    The PM is likely to address a public meeting in the Kothrud area of the city.

    “Around a month ago, Metro officials showed me the route which will be inaugurated by PM Modi on Sunday. I had travelled on the same route around a month ago. I saw that the work is incomplete. I don’t have any objection (to Modi’s visit)…the work of Metro is incomplete but still, it will be inaugurated,” Pawar added.

  • Some superheroes are called dad, says Nawab Malik’s daughter after his arrest

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Some superheroes don’t wear capes, they are called dad, said Nilofer Malik, daughter of Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik, after his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday.

    The ED arrested Malik after questioning him for about five hours at its office in south Mumbai’s Ballard Estate area in a money laundering probe linked to the activities of fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim and his aides.

    The 62-year-old NCP leader was later produced before special Judge R N Rokade, who remanded him to ED custody till March 3 for further probe into the matter.

    When the minister was brought to the court, Nilofer, who was waiting on the premises, got an opportunity to meet her father, although briefly.

    When the ED’s vehicle carrying Malik entered the court premises and stopped, Nilofer could not stop her tears. She went close to the SUV, held her father’s hand and hugged him after opening the vehicle’s door. She then kissed her father’s hand and raised her clenched fist to show her support.

    A video of the emotional moment between the father-daughter duo was later circulated on social media. Along with Nilofer, Malik’s another daughter was also present inside the court during the hearing.

    After the brief meeting with her father, Nilofer said in a tweet, “Some superheroes don’t wear capes. They are called Dad.” with hashtags #NawabMalikMyHero #NawabMalik #WeStandWithNawabMalik.

  • NCP ministers meet after Malik’s arrest; Pawar to call on Maharashtra CM

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Some NCP ministers in Maharashtra met at the residence of party president Sharad Pawar here on Wednesday evening to discuss the situation arising out of the arrest of their cabinet and party colleague Nawab Malik by the ED in connection with a money laundering case.

    Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, ministers Chhagan Bhujbal, Hasan Mushrif and Rajesh Tope were present at Sharad Pawar’s residence ‘Silver Oak’ in South Mumbai for the meeting, party sources said.

    “The meeting was called to discuss the current situation that has arisen post Malik’s arrest and the party’s future course of action,” the sources said.

    They said Malik’s portfolios could be shared with his party colleagues in the cabinet in case he resigns.

    Malik, a senior NCP leader, holds the skill development portfolio besides the minority affairs department in the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government.

    The NCP president is likely to meet chief minister Uddhav Thackeray at the latter’s official residence ‘Varsha’ in south Mumbai later in the evening in the wake of the sudden development.

    Meanwhile, senior Congress leaders and MVA Ministers Balasaheb Thorat and Ashok Chavan called on Sharad Pawar and discussed the fallout of Malik’s arrest.

    Another Congress minister Sunil Kedar also joined the meeting.

    The NCP and the Congress are constituents of the Shiv Sena-led MVA government.

    Criticism continued to pour in from NCP leaders over Malik’s arrest.

    Maharashtra NCP president and minister Jayant Patil said the state never saw such political vendetta in the past and claimed efforts were being made to pull down the MVA government.

    Speaking during the party’s on-going mass outreach programme in Solapur in western Maharashtra, Patil said Malik has been arrested “without any reason”.

    “People are seeing such politics right now, but they will express their opinion at the right time,” Patil said.

    Without naming anyone, the NCP leader alleged “some people” want to topple the MVA government “anyhow”.

    “Arrests are being made for no reason with the help of central agencies. This is not right,” Patil added.

    The state water resources minister alleged he, too, was pressurised to join the BJP in 2019, but he resisted pressures and didn’t leave the NCP.

  • Maharashtra won’t bow down before Centre: Supriya Sule on ED questioning Nawab Malik

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Maharashtra has never bowed down before the Centre and it never will, NCP MP Supriya Sule said on Wednesday after the ED questioned state minister and her party leader Nawab Malik in a money laundering case.

    The NCP was not surprised by the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) action, the Lok Sabha member from Maharashtra said, adding it was unfortunate that the Centre was using its machinery against the BJP’s political rivals in a “suppressive” manner.

    “It was expected, Nawab Bhai too had expected this. He had also tweeted in the past that he would keep tea and biscuits ready if the ED officials arrived at his home. Had they issued a notice (to Malik), they would have also got breakfast before leaving (Malik’s residence). But they did not issue a notice,” Sule told a TV channel.

    Sule, who is the daughter of NCP chief Sharad Pawar, claimed the ED’s notice is issued only to opposition leaders.

    “Once you quit your own party and join them, then the notice disappears or goes into a shredder. We should know which shredder is this,” she said sarcastically without taking any name.

    Sule also claimed that “people in a certain party” know in advance if a leader is going to be raided or arrested.

    The Lok Sabha member said BJP leaders use Twitter very well to comment about the central agency’s action.

    “They are doing this now, but life is a full circle,” she said.

    “We are brought up in the culture of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Maharashtra has never bowed down before the Centre and Delhi, it never will,” she added.

    The ED on Wednesday questioned Maharashtra Minority Affairs Minister and NCP’s chief spokesperson Malik in a money laundering probe linked to the activities of the Mumbai underworld, fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim and his aides, officials said.

    The probe agency’s move comes after registration of a new case and raids conducted by it on February 15 in Mumbai in connection with the operations of the underworld, linked to alleged illegal property deals and hawala transactions.

  • NCP wants to fight Thane, Palghar civic polls under MVA banner: Maharashtra minister Jitendra Awhad

    By PTI

    THANE: The Thane and Palghar units of the NCP met on Saturday to discuss the upcoming civic polls in the two districts and unanimously decided to fight under the Maha Vikas Aghadi banner in order to defeat the BJP, said state minister and senior party leader Jitendra Awhad.

    The meeting was attended by the chiefs of all district units of the party and it was decided that all efforts would be taken to maintain unity in MVA, which also consists of the Shiv Sena and Congress, he told reporters.

    He claimed guardian minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde also was in favour of the MVA fighting the civic polls unitedly. “Our main opponent is the BJP and our single point programme is to defeat the BJP,” he added.