News Analysis India

Tag: Shiv Sena

  • Uddhav Thackeray’s brother Jaidev shares stage with Maha CM Shinde at Dussehra rally

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Jaidev Thackeray, the elder brother of Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray, on Wednesday evening shared the stage with Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at the rebel faction’s Dussehra rally at the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) in Mumbai.

    Jaidev Thackeray’s estranged wife Smita was also present at the MMRDA ground in BKC, the rally site in suburban Mumbai, along with Nihar, the son of late Bindumadhav Thackeray, Uddhav Thackeray’s eldest brother.

    Champa Singh Thapa, a trusted aide of the late Bal Thackeray who served the Shiv Sena founder for 27 years, was also present at the event.

    Talking to reporters, Smita Thackeray said she was invited to the rally by Shinde, who heads the rebel faction of the Shiv Sena.

    Jaidev Thackeray, son of Bal Thackeray, said to share an uneasy relationship with his younger brother Uddhav Thackeray.

    The Uddhav Thackeray-led faction has organised its own Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park in central Mumbai.

    Both Shinde and Uddhav Thackeray claim their faction is the “real” Shiv Sena.

    Shinde’s rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray’s leadership had led to the collapse to the Shiv Sena-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in June.

    MUMBAI: Jaidev Thackeray, the elder brother of Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray, on Wednesday evening shared the stage with Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at the rebel faction’s Dussehra rally at the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) in Mumbai.

    Jaidev Thackeray’s estranged wife Smita was also present at the MMRDA ground in BKC, the rally site in suburban Mumbai, along with Nihar, the son of late Bindumadhav Thackeray, Uddhav Thackeray’s eldest brother.

    Champa Singh Thapa, a trusted aide of the late Bal Thackeray who served the Shiv Sena founder for 27 years, was also present at the event.

    Talking to reporters, Smita Thackeray said she was invited to the rally by Shinde, who heads the rebel faction of the Shiv Sena.

    Jaidev Thackeray, son of Bal Thackeray, said to share an uneasy relationship with his younger brother Uddhav Thackeray.

    The Uddhav Thackeray-led faction has organised its own Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park in central Mumbai.

    Both Shinde and Uddhav Thackeray claim their faction is the “real” Shiv Sena.

    Shinde’s rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray’s leadership had led to the collapse to the Shiv Sena-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in June.

  • Five MLAs, two MPs from Uddhav group to join Shinde-led faction: Shiv Sena leader

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Shiv Sena Lok Sabha member Krupal Tumane on Wednesday claimed two MPs and five MLAs from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena faction will join the group headed by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at the latter’s Dussehra rally in the evening.

    The two MPs could be from Mumbai and Marathwada region, Tumane, who is part of the Shinde group, told a news channel. “You will see in the evening,” he added.

    Those who believe in the Shinde faction’s ideology are themselves calling up and joining it, said Tumane, the MP from Ramtek in Maharashtra. At present, the Shinde faction comprises 40 MLAs, including the CM, and 12 Lok Sabha members.

    The Thackeray faction is left with 15 MLAs and six Lok Sabha members. Before the split in June this year, the Shiv Sena had 18 Lok Sabha members from Maharashtra and one from Dadra and Nagar Haveli.

    The rebel group led by Shinde will hold its Dussehra rally on Wednesday evening at the MMRDA ground at Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai.

    The Thackeray faction will hold its rally at the historic Shivaji Park in Dadar in central Mumbai, a venue associated with the Shiv Sena since its inception in 1966. Shinde and 39 other Sena legislators had rebelled against the party leadership in June, following which the Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government collapsed.

    On June 30, Shinde was sworn in as the CM along with BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis as his deputy.

    MUMBAI: Shiv Sena Lok Sabha member Krupal Tumane on Wednesday claimed two MPs and five MLAs from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena faction will join the group headed by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at the latter’s Dussehra rally in the evening.

    The two MPs could be from Mumbai and Marathwada region, Tumane, who is part of the Shinde group, told a news channel. “You will see in the evening,” he added.

    Those who believe in the Shinde faction’s ideology are themselves calling up and joining it, said Tumane, the MP from Ramtek in Maharashtra. At present, the Shinde faction comprises 40 MLAs, including the CM, and 12 Lok Sabha members.

    The Thackeray faction is left with 15 MLAs and six Lok Sabha members. Before the split in June this year, the Shiv Sena had 18 Lok Sabha members from Maharashtra and one from Dadra and Nagar Haveli.

    The rebel group led by Shinde will hold its Dussehra rally on Wednesday evening at the MMRDA ground at Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai.

    The Thackeray faction will hold its rally at the historic Shivaji Park in Dadar in central Mumbai, a venue associated with the Shiv Sena since its inception in 1966. Shinde and 39 other Sena legislators had rebelled against the party leadership in June, following which the Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government collapsed.

    On June 30, Shinde was sworn in as the CM along with BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis as his deputy.

  • Shinde’s fiat to ministers: ‘No one should speak to media unless told’

    Express News Service

    MUMBAI: In view of negative publicity, Maharashtra Chief  Minister Eknath Shinde reprimanded his minister and asked them not to make any controversial statements. Maharashtra CM had a meeting with his faction’s ministers and MLAs where he told them to not skirt any controversy.

    “I am chief minister of Maharashtra still I am not making any statements on sensitive issues. But you people are making all sorts of statements that are creating negative perceptions about our factions among people. Unless I say, no one should speak with the media. You should avoid speaking with the media about every issue,” Shinde told his ministers.

    Shinde further told his ministers that they are fighting the long legal battle against Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena and their one statement can change the scenario. “Shinde wants to win the perception battle against Uddhav Thackeray. At present, there is a lot of public sympathy towards Uddhav Thackeray, and Shinde has been perceived as the villain who snatched the chair of Thackeray. Shinde wants to change this perception by winning many hearts and close associates of Uddhav Thackeray, but his ministers are continuously stoking the controversy and diverting the agenda,” said a senior leader close to Shinde. 

    Tanaji Sawant, the health minister who belongs to Shinde camp apologized for his objectionable comment against the Maratha community. Sawant during his speech said that the Maratha community had developed an “itch” for reservations. Earlier also, he made several controversies. The Opposition demanded sacking of Sawant for his controversial remarks against the Maratha community.

    Earlier, a photo of CM Shinde’s son Shreekant Shinde sitting in the chief minister’s chair had gone viral. Later, Shreekant Shinde clarified that it was not the CM chair, but their office chair where the chief minister board was by mistakenly kept in the background.  

    Tanaji trolledMeanwhile, Tanaji Sawant was trolled on social media for his alleged goof-ups in his meeting schedule. Sawant became the subject of various memes as the schedule only mentioned his travel from his private office to his home and back. 

    The document went viral and became the topic of jokes, after which Sawant’s office revised the schedule. 

    Rashmi Thackeray visits Shinde’s stronghold in ThaneThe wife of Uddhav Thackeray, Rashmi Thackeray, visited Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde’s stronghold Thane on Thursday. Rashmi visited the Tembhi Naka Navratri Mandal in Thane. Rashmi was accompanied by Shiv Sena Lok Sabha MP Rajan Vichare and former Mumbai mayor Kishori Pednekar among others. Earlier, Shiv Sena shared an image of Rashmi  congratulating the party workers after Bombay High court granted permission to Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena to hold its annual Dusshera rally at Shivaji Park. Sources in Shiv Sena said that Rashmi has always been the tacit support to Uddhav, but of late she has been more vocal and visible within the Sena circle and telling her party workers that she is very much there even though it is a long political battle against Maharashtra CM and the BJP in Maharashtra. ENS

    MUMBAI: In view of negative publicity, Maharashtra Chief  Minister Eknath Shinde reprimanded his minister and asked them not to make any controversial statements. Maharashtra CM had a meeting with his faction’s ministers and MLAs where he told them to not skirt any controversy.

    “I am chief minister of Maharashtra still I am not making any statements on sensitive issues. But you people are making all sorts of statements that are creating negative perceptions about our factions among people. Unless I say, no one should speak with the media. You should avoid speaking with the media about every issue,” Shinde told his ministers.

    Shinde further told his ministers that they are fighting the long legal battle against Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena and their one statement can change the scenario. “Shinde wants to win the perception battle against Uddhav Thackeray. At present, there is a lot of public sympathy towards Uddhav Thackeray, and Shinde has been perceived as the villain who snatched the chair of Thackeray. Shinde wants to change this perception by winning many hearts and close associates of Uddhav Thackeray, but his ministers are continuously stoking the controversy and diverting the agenda,” said a senior leader close to Shinde. 

    Tanaji Sawant, the health minister who belongs to Shinde camp apologized for his objectionable comment against the Maratha community. Sawant during his speech said that the Maratha community had developed an “itch” for reservations. Earlier also, he made several controversies. The Opposition demanded sacking of Sawant for his controversial remarks against the Maratha community.

    Earlier, a photo of CM Shinde’s son Shreekant Shinde sitting in the chief minister’s chair had gone viral. Later, Shreekant Shinde clarified that it was not the CM chair, but their office chair where the chief minister board was by mistakenly kept in the background.  

    Tanaji trolled
    Meanwhile, Tanaji Sawant was trolled on social media for his alleged goof-ups in his meeting schedule. Sawant became the subject of various memes as the schedule only mentioned his travel from his private 
    office to his home and back. 

    The document went viral and became the topic of jokes, after which Sawant’s office revised the schedule. 

    Rashmi Thackeray visits Shinde’s stronghold in Thane
    The wife of Uddhav Thackeray, Rashmi Thackeray, visited Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde’s stronghold Thane on Thursday. Rashmi visited the Tembhi Naka Navratri Mandal in Thane. Rashmi was accompanied by Shiv Sena Lok Sabha MP Rajan Vichare and former Mumbai mayor Kishori Pednekar among others. Earlier, Shiv Sena shared an image of Rashmi  congratulating the party workers after Bombay High court granted permission to Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena to hold its annual Dusshera rally at Shivaji Park. Sources in Shiv Sena said that Rashmi has always been the tacit support to Uddhav, but of late she has been more vocal and visible within the Sena circle and telling her party workers that she is very much there even though it is a long political battle against Maharashtra CM and the BJP in Maharashtra. ENS

  • Setback to Uddhav faction: ECI can decide plea on ‘real Shiv Sena’, says Supreme Court

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: In a setback to the Uddhav Thackeray faction, the Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed the Thackeray camp’s application seeking a stay on proceedings pending before the Election Commission of India (ECI) over Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde faction’s request to be recognised as the real Shiv Sena, and to use the party symbol “bow and arrow”. 

    After a marathon hearing of almost five hours, a five-judge bench of the SC headed by Justice DY Chandrachud in their order said, “Having heard the counsel, we direct that there shall be no stay of the proceedings before the ECI.”, and allowed the Election Commission to go ahead with the hearing of the Shinde group’s plea.

    During the hearing, the bench opined that the mere fact of the reference to several constitutional questions pertaining to defection, merger and disqualification would not stall the ECI from taking recourse to its powers under the law. 

    “Mere fact that the reference has been made does not stall the constitutional authority from taking recourse to its powers under the power of law. One of the issues which have been made is the power of the ECI to decide upon a split in the party but that by itself does not restrain the authority from proceeding ahead if they have the authority under the law,” Justice Chandrachud said. 

    For the Uddhav faction, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal contended that ECI can’t determine which is the real Shiv Sena till a decision on disqualification of the rebel MLAs and other linked issues that are pending before the constitution bench of the SC is decided. It was also his contention that legislative members of the political party function within the overall control of the party and represent the party. 

    “Legislative members of the political party function within the overall control of the party. They represent the party. There is an umbilical cord which is linked between the members of the legislature & political party,” Sibal said. 

    He further added, “I’m a member of the original political party and I’ve been elected on that symbol. I continue to be under the discipline of that party. It has huge consequences. Any government can be thrown out in this fashion. What is the constitution meant for? People go to the governor and throw out the government that is elected by the people. I’ve never heard in the democratic world that an elected government for a period of five years through these fascinations is toppled because we’re discussing some academic issues. See the heart of the matter. Where is democracy going?” 

    Claiming that the Shinde faction still represented an overwhelming majority within the Shiv Sena, Senior Advocate Neeraj Kishan Kaul for the Shinde faction argued that he was still entitled to approach the ECI. He also added that the election symbol was not the property of the MLA but a decision of the ECI and he had a legal right to use it. 

    “If at all finding an ECI may help the speaker but nothing that the speaker decides will never impact a member approaching the ECI. So to say that 2 petitions are intertwined and thus await the decisions in the main matter is completely wrong. None has ever questioned the vires of the symbol order, none has ever questioned the power of the ECI. All that has been said here is the scope of the powers of ECI. Till the constitution bench decides the scope of the ECI, this may be Shinde v. Thackeray matter but there would be another matter where there are disqualification of MLAs and other set of people go to the ECI, ECI is denuded of its powers as coordinate constitutional authority to continue and do what it is mandated under the constitution to do because your lordships are seized of the scope of the EC,” Kaul said. 

    “The moment the question comes “who is the Shiv Sena” the jurisdiction is exclusively with ECI,” Senior Advocate Maninder Singh said. 

    “Any possible link between disqualification and power of ECI to deal with intra-party dispute has been snapped with the resignation of the then CM,” Senior Advocate Mahesh Jethmalani told the bench. 

    Contending that the functioning of ECI was completely different from that of the role of the Speaker under the Xth schedule, Senior Advocate Arvind Datar for the poll body contended that ECI was free to decide as to how it tested the majority. 

    “Whatever happens on the floor of the house is completely independent and does not interdict as to what happens in the house. Disqualification of a legislator from the membership of the Legislature by the Speaker is different from removal of a person from membership of a party,” he further added. 

    On 23rd August, a 3 judge bench led by the then CJI NV Ramana had referred to 5 judge bench petitions related to the Maharashtra political crisis preferred by rival groups of Shiv Sena that had raised several constitutional questions pertaining to defection, merger and disqualification. The bench had also asked the ECI to not take any action on Shinde’s application for recognition as the real one and allotment of the party’s bow and arrow symbol till August 25, 2022. 

    NEW DELHI: In a setback to the Uddhav Thackeray faction, the Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed the Thackeray camp’s application seeking a stay on proceedings pending before the Election Commission of India (ECI) over Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde faction’s request to be recognised as the real Shiv Sena, and to use the party symbol “bow and arrow”. 

    After a marathon hearing of almost five hours, a five-judge bench of the SC headed by Justice DY Chandrachud in their order said, “Having heard the counsel, we direct that there shall be no stay of the proceedings before the ECI.”, and allowed the Election Commission to go ahead with the hearing of the Shinde group’s plea.

    During the hearing, the bench opined that the mere fact of the reference to several constitutional questions pertaining to defection, merger and disqualification would not stall the ECI from taking recourse to its powers under the law. 

    “Mere fact that the reference has been made does not stall the constitutional authority from taking recourse to its powers under the power of law. One of the issues which have been made is the power of the ECI to decide upon a split in the party but that by itself does not restrain the authority from proceeding ahead if they have the authority under the law,” Justice Chandrachud said. 

    For the Uddhav faction, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal contended that ECI can’t determine which is the real Shiv Sena till a decision on disqualification of the rebel MLAs and other linked issues that are pending before the constitution bench of the SC is decided. It was also his contention that legislative members of the political party function within the overall control of the party and represent the party. 

    “Legislative members of the political party function within the overall control of the party. They represent the party. There is an umbilical cord which is linked between the members of the legislature & political party,” Sibal said. 

    He further added, “I’m a member of the original political party and I’ve been elected on that symbol. I continue to be under the discipline of that party. It has huge consequences. Any government can be thrown out in this fashion. What is the constitution meant for? People go to the governor and throw out the government that is elected by the people. I’ve never heard in the democratic world that an elected government for a period of five years through these fascinations is toppled because we’re discussing some academic issues. See the heart of the matter. Where is democracy going?” 

    Claiming that the Shinde faction still represented an overwhelming majority within the Shiv Sena, Senior Advocate Neeraj Kishan Kaul for the Shinde faction argued that he was still entitled to approach the ECI. He also added that the election symbol was not the property of the MLA but a decision of the ECI and he had a legal right to use it. 

    “If at all finding an ECI may help the speaker but nothing that the speaker decides will never impact a member approaching the ECI. So to say that 2 petitions are intertwined and thus await the decisions in the main matter is completely wrong. None has ever questioned the vires of the symbol order, none has ever questioned the power of the ECI. All that has been said here is the scope of the powers of ECI. Till the constitution bench decides the scope of the ECI, this may be Shinde v. Thackeray matter but there would be another matter where there are disqualification of MLAs and other set of people go to the ECI, ECI is denuded of its powers as coordinate constitutional authority to continue and do what it is mandated under the constitution to do because your lordships are seized of the scope of the EC,” Kaul said. 

    “The moment the question comes “who is the Shiv Sena” the jurisdiction is exclusively with ECI,” Senior Advocate Maninder Singh said. 

    “Any possible link between disqualification and power of ECI to deal with intra-party dispute has been snapped with the resignation of the then CM,” Senior Advocate Mahesh Jethmalani told the bench. 

    Contending that the functioning of ECI was completely different from that of the role of the Speaker under the Xth schedule, Senior Advocate Arvind Datar for the poll body contended that ECI was free to decide as to how it tested the majority. 

    “Whatever happens on the floor of the house is completely independent and does not interdict as to what happens in the house. Disqualification of a legislator from the membership of the Legislature by the Speaker is different from removal of a person from membership of a party,” he further added. 

    On 23rd August, a 3 judge bench led by the then CJI NV Ramana had referred to 5 judge bench petitions related to the Maharashtra political crisis preferred by rival groups of Shiv Sena that had raised several constitutional questions pertaining to defection, merger and disqualification. The bench had also asked the ECI to not take any action on Shinde’s application for recognition as the real one and allotment of the party’s bow and arrow symbol till August 25, 2022. 

  • BJP makes gain in Maharashtra local body elections

    Express News Service

    MUMBAI:  In the local body elections of gram panchayat, the BJP has emerged as the single largest party. While the NCP bagged second most seats, the Maha Vikas Aghadi as an alliance together, got the highest numbers of gram panchayats in Maharashtra.

    After the change of power in the state, for the first time there were local elections. The local body elections shows that the BJP still has a stronghold in Maharashtra with its bagging the highest numbers of gram panchayats that is 125, while the NCP continues to dominate its influence in the rural part of  the state with winning the second largest gram panchayats that is 118. 

    The performance of Congress, Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde-led factions and Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena’s performance in local elections turned out to be poor. Interestingly, if all three parties of the Maha Vikas Aghadi won gram panchayats, that is 181, while the BJP and Shinde camp has won 153-gram panchayats in the state. It shows that the Maha Vikas Aghadi together can still outperform the new political alignment in the state.

    In Pune district, the NCP continued its dominance in local body elections. Out of 61 gram panchayats, the NCP won the highest 30 while BJP won three, Shinde camp won the three and Shiv Sena won the two while the remaining gram panchayat were won by the local alliances. Interestingly, in Yavatmal district, Congress party bagged the highest 33 gram panchayats out of 71 while NCP won the nine, BJP won the two, Shiv Sena won the three gram panchayat and remained by local alliances.

    In Jalgaon district, the NCP won four while BJP, Shinde camp and Shiv Sena won the three seats in local body elections. On the other hand, in Dhule district, BJP out of 32 gram panchayats out of total 33 gram panchayats. It shows the BJP’s dominance in Dhule district in local body elections. 

    MUMBAI:  In the local body elections of gram panchayat, the BJP has emerged as the single largest party. While the NCP bagged second most seats, the Maha Vikas Aghadi as an alliance together, got the highest numbers of gram panchayats in Maharashtra.

    After the change of power in the state, for the first time there were local elections. The local body elections shows that the BJP still has a stronghold in Maharashtra with its bagging the highest numbers of gram panchayats that is 125, while the NCP continues to dominate its influence in the rural part of  the state with winning the second largest gram panchayats that is 118. 

    The performance of Congress, Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde-led factions and Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena’s performance in local elections turned out to be poor. Interestingly, if all three parties of the Maha Vikas Aghadi won gram panchayats, that is 181, while the BJP and Shinde camp has won 153-gram panchayats in the state. It shows that the Maha Vikas Aghadi together can still outperform the new political alignment in the state.

    In Pune district, the NCP continued its dominance in local body elections. Out of 61 gram panchayats, the NCP won the highest 30 while BJP won three, Shinde camp won the three and Shiv Sena won the two while the remaining gram panchayat were won by the local alliances. Interestingly, in Yavatmal district, Congress party bagged the highest 33 gram panchayats out of 71 while NCP won the nine, BJP won the two, Shiv Sena won the three gram panchayat and remained by local alliances.

    In Jalgaon district, the NCP won four while BJP, Shinde camp and Shiv Sena won the three seats in local body elections. On the other hand, in Dhule district, BJP out of 32 gram panchayats out of total 33 gram panchayats. It shows the BJP’s dominance in Dhule district in local body elections.
     

  • Dussehra rally: Shinde group gets BKC; Uddhav faction says easy for it to get nod for Shivaji Park

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena on Monday said it will be easier for them to get permission for the Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park after Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s camp got the nod for a rally in the BKC Complex on the “first-come-first-served” principle.

    Shiv Sena MP and spokesperson Arvind Sawant, a Thackeray loyalist, told PTI that the ‘first-come-first-served’ principle was applied while granting permission to the Shinde group to organise a rally in the MMRDA ground in the Bandra Kurla Complex, which is stone’s throw away from Thackeray’s private residence ‘Matoshree’.

    Talking to reporters later, Sawant also asserted that there can be no other option for the Thackeray faction than holding the annual rally at ‘Shivtirth, the term Shiv Sena uses for the Shivaji Park.

    When asked about the party’s strategy in the event it denied permission for Shivaji Park, Sawant said Sena will see what can be done after that.

    He said the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is yet to deny them permission to hold the rally at Shivaji Park.

    Both the factions of Shiv Sena had staked a claim to hold their rallies at the iconic Shivaji Park, which is synonymous with the Shiv Sena.

    ALSO READ | Shinde cabinet to be expanded after Dussehra

    Both sides had alternately applied for permission to hold their rallies in the MMRDA ground in BKC on Dussehra next month.

    The Shinde faction has received a nod to hold a rally at the BKC.

    But, no decision has been taken by the BMC regarding the Shivaji Park ground.

    “Now, it will be easier for us (to get a nod for Shivaji Park). They (the Shinde group) got permission on a ‘first-come-first-served’ basis. So, the same principle applies to us as well for Shivaji Park,” Sawant added.

    Attacking the BJP, Sawant also alleged that the game plan of the party is to pit two factions of the Shiv Sena against each other.

    The Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park is a key event in Shiv Sena’s annual calendar.

    The gathering of Shivsainiks has been held annually since the inception of Shiv Sena.

    Shiv Sena chiefs – earlier Bal Thackeray and then his son Uddhav Thackeray – mostly spelt out the agenda and targeted rivals during the Dussehra rallies.

    This year’s rally assumes significance as both Uddhav Thackeray and CM Shinde claim their respective factions to be the original Shiv Sena.

    Meanwhile, Nationalist Congress Party president Sharad Pawar backed the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction and said his group is the real Shiv Sena to hold the annual congregation at the Shivaji Park.

    “I have been seeing this for 30-40 years. When one says Shivaji Park, then it is the Shiv Sena, the one led by Balasaheb Thackeray. And that Shiv Sena is Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena. So, their demand for the Dussehra rally is not wrong,” Pawar told reporters.

    “(CM) Shinde also has the right to hold a Dussehra rally. They (the Shinde faction) had sought the BKC ground and got it. Once their problem is resolved, then there is no issue of opposing others. I am not saying they have not done it, but it is important to grant permission,” he said.

    The NCP and the Shiv Sena were alliance partners in the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi government led by Uddhav Thackeray.

    MUMBAI: The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena on Monday said it will be easier for them to get permission for the Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park after Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s camp got the nod for a rally in the BKC Complex on the “first-come-first-served” principle.

    Shiv Sena MP and spokesperson Arvind Sawant, a Thackeray loyalist, told PTI that the ‘first-come-first-served’ principle was applied while granting permission to the Shinde group to organise a rally in the MMRDA ground in the Bandra Kurla Complex, which is stone’s throw away from Thackeray’s private residence ‘Matoshree’.

    Talking to reporters later, Sawant also asserted that there can be no other option for the Thackeray faction than holding the annual rally at ‘Shivtirth, the term Shiv Sena uses for the Shivaji Park.

    When asked about the party’s strategy in the event it denied permission for Shivaji Park, Sawant said Sena will see what can be done after that.

    He said the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is yet to deny them permission to hold the rally at Shivaji Park.

    Both the factions of Shiv Sena had staked a claim to hold their rallies at the iconic Shivaji Park, which is synonymous with the Shiv Sena.

    ALSO READ | Shinde cabinet to be expanded after Dussehra

    Both sides had alternately applied for permission to hold their rallies in the MMRDA ground in BKC on Dussehra next month.

    The Shinde faction has received a nod to hold a rally at the BKC.

    But, no decision has been taken by the BMC regarding the Shivaji Park ground.

    “Now, it will be easier for us (to get a nod for Shivaji Park). They (the Shinde group) got permission on a ‘first-come-first-served’ basis. So, the same principle applies to us as well for Shivaji Park,” Sawant added.

    Attacking the BJP, Sawant also alleged that the game plan of the party is to pit two factions of the Shiv Sena against each other.

    The Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park is a key event in Shiv Sena’s annual calendar.

    The gathering of Shivsainiks has been held annually since the inception of Shiv Sena.

    Shiv Sena chiefs – earlier Bal Thackeray and then his son Uddhav Thackeray – mostly spelt out the agenda and targeted rivals during the Dussehra rallies.

    This year’s rally assumes significance as both Uddhav Thackeray and CM Shinde claim their respective factions to be the original Shiv Sena.

    Meanwhile, Nationalist Congress Party president Sharad Pawar backed the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction and said his group is the real Shiv Sena to hold the annual congregation at the Shivaji Park.

    “I have been seeing this for 30-40 years. When one says Shivaji Park, then it is the Shiv Sena, the one led by Balasaheb Thackeray. And that Shiv Sena is Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena. So, their demand for the Dussehra rally is not wrong,” Pawar told reporters.

    “(CM) Shinde also has the right to hold a Dussehra rally. They (the Shinde faction) had sought the BKC ground and got it. Once their problem is resolved, then there is no issue of opposing others. I am not saying they have not done it, but it is important to grant permission,” he said.

    The NCP and the Shiv Sena were alliance partners in the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi government led by Uddhav Thackeray.

  • BJP and Uddhav-led Shiv Sena target each other over photo, video with blasts convict Yakub Memon’s kin

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: The BJP and Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena on Saturday shared a picture and video of each other’s leaders with a `relative’ of 1993 Mumbai blasts convict Yakub Memon.

    BJP MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar circulated a video claiming that it showed one Rauf Memon, Yakub’s relative, attending a meeting with Sena leader and former Mumbai mayor Kishori Pednekar.

    Uddhav Thackeray’s aide Harshal Pradhan hit back by sharing a photograph purportedly showing the same Rauf Memon with BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis and Chandrakant Patil.

    Earlier this week, the BJP had claimed that Yakub Memon’s grave was beautified when the coalition government led by Uddhav Thackeray was in power in Maharashtra, a charge rejected by the Shiv Sena.

    Yakub Memon, one of the Memon brothers who were prime conspirators of the 1993 serial blasts, was hanged in 2015 following his conviction.

    the Sena leaders maintained that the party and the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government had nothing to do with it and that it was being dragged into the issue unnecessarily.

    As the row erupted over the issue, Mumbai police swung into action on Thursday, removing the LED lights put around the grave of the terror convict, who was hanged at Nagpur jail in 2015 and buried at the Bada Qabrastan in south Mumbai.

    A DCP-level police officer will probe how the LED lights and marble tiles came to “adorn” the terror convict’s grave, an official said.

    With some Maharashtra BJP leaders targeting the Thackeray-led Shiv Sena, the latter said the whole issue was an attempt to divert people’s attention from more important issues like inflation and unemployment.

    State BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule said Thackeray should apologise to the people of Mumbai and Maharashtra for this “beautification” attempt of the grave of a person responsible for killing 250 people.

    A local BJP leader said Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi should also apologise over the issue.

    A police official said halogen lights were installed in the Bada Qabrastan on the occasion of Badi Raat (Shab-e-Barat) and have been removed by the Qabrastan trustees.

    Shab-e-Barat is a major celebration for the Muslim community is also known as the night of fortune and forgiveness.

    The marble tiles around Memon’s grave were put up three years ago, he said.

    There are 13 other graves at the place, he added.

    The Shiv Sena said the previous Uddhav Thackeray-led government had nothing to do with the beautification of the grave of Memon, who was hanged on July 30, 2015 for his role in the 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blasts.

    Shiv Sena MP from Mumbai South Lok Sabha constituency, Arvind Sawant, told reporters that the Bada Qabrastan, where the grave is located, is a private property and the state government does not have anything to do with it.

    “Why drag the Shiv Sena into this issue? This is nothing but an attempt to divert people’s attention from serious issues facing the country. It is also an attempt to create communal tension in the society,” he alleged.

    Sawant sought to know why the body of Memon was handed over to his kin after he was hanged by the then BJP-led government at the Centre and state.

    “America gave Osama bin Laden a burial at sea. The body of 26/11 terror attacks convict Ajmal Kasab was also not handed over to his kin,” he pointed out.

    Asserting that his party had nothing to do with the issue and the controversy it is generating, Sawant demanded a probe into the beautification.

    Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray accused the BJP of trying to disrupt peace ahead of the civic polls in Mumbai by creating a controversy over the grave of Memon.

    Talking to reporters, Thackeray said the BJP should first reply why Memon’s body was allowed to be buried after execution in 2015.

    He said the Baba Qabrastan where Memon was buried is a private trust and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had no role in it.

    “Raking up this issue is a tactic to disrupt peace ahead of the civic polls,” the former state minister said.

    Meanwhile, talking to reporters in Pimpri Chinchwad near Pune, Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly Ajit Pawar claimed that the issue was being raked up to divert the attention of people from unemployment and inflation.

    Replying to a question over the controversy, Pawar said that such things about a ‘deshdrohi’ (traitor) should not happen in the country.

    Asked about the BJP holding the MVA government responsible for this beautification attempt of the grave, Pawar said, “For several years, BJP was with Shiv Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray and because of Shiv Sena that BJP could reach the rural areas.”

    “Be it any government, no one will want such things to happen during their tenure. Currently, to divert the people’s attention from inflation and unemployment, such issues are being raked up. Since they have their government in the Centre as well as in the state, they should find out who did this and punish those who are responsible,” the senior NCP leader said.

    MUMBAI: The BJP and Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena on Saturday shared a picture and video of each other’s leaders with a `relative’ of 1993 Mumbai blasts convict Yakub Memon.

    BJP MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar circulated a video claiming that it showed one Rauf Memon, Yakub’s relative, attending a meeting with Sena leader and former Mumbai mayor Kishori Pednekar.

    Uddhav Thackeray’s aide Harshal Pradhan hit back by sharing a photograph purportedly showing the same Rauf Memon with BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis and Chandrakant Patil.

    Earlier this week, the BJP had claimed that Yakub Memon’s grave was beautified when the coalition government led by Uddhav Thackeray was in power in Maharashtra, a charge rejected by the Shiv Sena.

    Yakub Memon, one of the Memon brothers who were prime conspirators of the 1993 serial blasts, was hanged in 2015 following his conviction.

    the Sena leaders maintained that the party and the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government had nothing to do with it and that it was being dragged into the issue unnecessarily.

    As the row erupted over the issue, Mumbai police swung into action on Thursday, removing the LED lights put around the grave of the terror convict, who was hanged at Nagpur jail in 2015 and buried at the Bada Qabrastan in south Mumbai.

    A DCP-level police officer will probe how the LED lights and marble tiles came to “adorn” the terror convict’s grave, an official said.

    With some Maharashtra BJP leaders targeting the Thackeray-led Shiv Sena, the latter said the whole issue was an attempt to divert people’s attention from more important issues like inflation and unemployment.

    State BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule said Thackeray should apologise to the people of Mumbai and Maharashtra for this “beautification” attempt of the grave of a person responsible for killing 250 people.

    A local BJP leader said Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi should also apologise over the issue.

    A police official said halogen lights were installed in the Bada Qabrastan on the occasion of Badi Raat (Shab-e-Barat) and have been removed by the Qabrastan trustees.

    Shab-e-Barat is a major celebration for the Muslim community is also known as the night of fortune and forgiveness.

    The marble tiles around Memon’s grave were put up three years ago, he said.

    There are 13 other graves at the place, he added.

    The Shiv Sena said the previous Uddhav Thackeray-led government had nothing to do with the beautification of the grave of Memon, who was hanged on July 30, 2015 for his role in the 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blasts.

    Shiv Sena MP from Mumbai South Lok Sabha constituency, Arvind Sawant, told reporters that the Bada Qabrastan, where the grave is located, is a private property and the state government does not have anything to do with it.

    “Why drag the Shiv Sena into this issue? This is nothing but an attempt to divert people’s attention from serious issues facing the country. It is also an attempt to create communal tension in the society,” he alleged.

    Sawant sought to know why the body of Memon was handed over to his kin after he was hanged by the then BJP-led government at the Centre and state.

    “America gave Osama bin Laden a burial at sea. The body of 26/11 terror attacks convict Ajmal Kasab was also not handed over to his kin,” he pointed out.

    Asserting that his party had nothing to do with the issue and the controversy it is generating, Sawant demanded a probe into the beautification.

    Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray accused the BJP of trying to disrupt peace ahead of the civic polls in Mumbai by creating a controversy over the grave of Memon.

    Talking to reporters, Thackeray said the BJP should first reply why Memon’s body was allowed to be buried after execution in 2015.

    He said the Baba Qabrastan where Memon was buried is a private trust and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had no role in it.

    “Raking up this issue is a tactic to disrupt peace ahead of the civic polls,” the former state minister said.

    Meanwhile, talking to reporters in Pimpri Chinchwad near Pune, Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly Ajit Pawar claimed that the issue was being raked up to divert the attention of people from unemployment and inflation.

    Replying to a question over the controversy, Pawar said that such things about a ‘deshdrohi’ (traitor) should not happen in the country.

    Asked about the BJP holding the MVA government responsible for this beautification attempt of the grave, Pawar said, “For several years, BJP was with Shiv Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray and because of Shiv Sena that BJP could reach the rural areas.”

    “Be it any government, no one will want such things to happen during their tenure. Currently, to divert the people’s attention from inflation and unemployment, such issues are being raked up. Since they have their government in the Centre as well as in the state, they should find out who did this and punish those who are responsible,” the senior NCP leader said.

  • Maharashtra’s Shinde camp makes mega plan to woo ground-level Shiv Sainik toward them

    Express News Service

    Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde factions are concerned about the hard-core Shiv Sainik who has not yet moved away from Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena.

    According to the Shinde camp, they successfully poached the majority of elected representatives particularly – MLAs and MP, but ground Shiv Sainik has not moved.

    “It is true that the majority of local Shiv Sainik still remained with Uddhav Thackeray. Until and unless they move out, we will not be able to elect our people. Therefore, we are having a strategy to get back these hard-core Shiv Sainiks. We are working on various levels. The first is to get the party name and symbol,” said a senior minister of the Shinde government.

    He said the legal fight and the Supreme Court order are very crucial for them.

    “As per the people’s representatives act, we got the majority of MLAs and MPs with our side. Besides, in the last two years, no local body elections happened. So these civic bodies are run by the administrators. If the elected representatives had been there, that would have given advance to Uddhav Thackeray, but now we are having a favourable situation to get the party name and symbol as well.

    “The elections commission will give order in our favour. Once this symbol and party name issue is clear, then most of the remaining Shiv Sainik with Uddhav Thackeray will start flocking towards us. The reason everyone wants a secure future. No one will work in an uncertain future and leader party,” said the Shinde camp MLA requesting anonymity.

    Rahul Shewale, Shinde camp Lok Sabha MP, said that they are concerned about Mumbai’s Sena cadre.

    “The local Shiv Sena cadre is still with Uddhav Thackeray, but we have a mega plan for them as well. We will have an area-wise party. We will target building and resolve their issues, then naturally these people will join us. Everyone is concerned about their future and Shiv Sainik will have a future with Shinde and BJP only,” he added.

    Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde factions are concerned about the hard-core Shiv Sainik who has not yet moved away from Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena.

    According to the Shinde camp, they successfully poached the majority of elected representatives particularly – MLAs and MP, but ground Shiv Sainik has not moved.

    “It is true that the majority of local Shiv Sainik still remained with Uddhav Thackeray. Until and unless they move out, we will not be able to elect our people. Therefore, we are having a strategy to get back these hard-core Shiv Sainiks. We are working on various levels. The first is to get the party name and symbol,” said a senior minister of the Shinde government.

    He said the legal fight and the Supreme Court order are very crucial for them.

    “As per the people’s representatives act, we got the majority of MLAs and MPs with our side. Besides, in the last two years, no local body elections happened. So these civic bodies are run by the administrators. If the elected representatives had been there, that would have given advance to Uddhav Thackeray, but now we are having a favourable situation to get the party name and symbol as well.

    “The elections commission will give order in our favour. Once this symbol and party name issue is clear, then most of the remaining Shiv Sainik with Uddhav Thackeray will start flocking towards us. The reason everyone wants a secure future. No one will work in an uncertain future and leader party,” said the Shinde camp MLA requesting anonymity.

    Rahul Shewale, Shinde camp Lok Sabha MP, said that they are concerned about Mumbai’s Sena cadre.

    “The local Shiv Sena cadre is still with Uddhav Thackeray, but we have a mega plan for them as well. We will have an area-wise party. We will target building and resolve their issues, then naturally these people will join us. Everyone is concerned about their future and Shiv Sainik will have a future with Shinde and BJP only,” he added.

  • ‘Maharashtra cabinet expansion soon, will fight local polls in alliance with Shinde faction’: BJP

    Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who took oath on June 30, expanded his cabinet for the first time on August 9 when he inducted 18 new members into his council of ministers.

  • Police seize ‘provocative’ decoration material on Shiv Sena split at Kalyan Ganesh pandal

    By PTI

    THANE: Police on Wednesday seized “objectionable and provocative” decoration material related to a recent split in Shiv Sena at a Ganesh pandal in Kalyan city in Thane district of Maharashtra, an official said.

    The seizure included the cutouts put out as the decoration display for the ten-day Ganesh Chaturthi festival which began on Wednesday.

    Vijay Tarun Mandal president Vijay Salvi said the action by the police was unwarranted and amounted to “autocracy”.

    Later, a group of Shiv Sainiks including local leaders and office-bearers performed a “maha aarti” against the police action.

    “Every year we display various topics at our pandal and this year’s theme was the split in Shiv Sena. The police action is ‘Hitlersahi’,” he alleged and added that the Mandal will not celebrate the Ganesh festival this year as a mark of protest.

    The Mandal has been celebrating the festival for the last 58 years.

    He claimed the organisers had shown the decorative display to the police earlier and even made certain changes as directed.

    A Kalyan police officer said the Vijay Tarun Mandal had indulged in such provocative and objectionable decorations in the past also.

    A case has been registered against officials of the Vijay Tarun Mandal.

    Senior Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde and 39 MLAs had rebelled against the party leadership in June, leading to the collapse of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government.

    Shinde became the chief minister on June 30 with the help of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

    THANE: Police on Wednesday seized “objectionable and provocative” decoration material related to a recent split in Shiv Sena at a Ganesh pandal in Kalyan city in Thane district of Maharashtra, an official said.

    The seizure included the cutouts put out as the decoration display for the ten-day Ganesh Chaturthi festival which began on Wednesday.

    Vijay Tarun Mandal president Vijay Salvi said the action by the police was unwarranted and amounted to “autocracy”.

    Later, a group of Shiv Sainiks including local leaders and office-bearers performed a “maha aarti” against the police action.

    “Every year we display various topics at our pandal and this year’s theme was the split in Shiv Sena. The police action is ‘Hitlersahi’,” he alleged and added that the Mandal will not celebrate the Ganesh festival this year as a mark of protest.

    The Mandal has been celebrating the festival for the last 58 years.

    He claimed the organisers had shown the decorative display to the police earlier and even made certain changes as directed.

    A Kalyan police officer said the Vijay Tarun Mandal had indulged in such provocative and objectionable decorations in the past also.

    A case has been registered against officials of the Vijay Tarun Mandal.

    Senior Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde and 39 MLAs had rebelled against the party leadership in June, leading to the collapse of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government.

    Shinde became the chief minister on June 30 with the help of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).