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Tag: Uddhav Thackeray

  • Maharashtra CM Uddhav seeks PM Modi’s intervention over alleged desecration of Shivaji Maharaj’s statue in Bengaluru

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday demanded immediate action on part of the Karnataka government in view of the alleged desecration of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s statue in Bengaluru.

    He demanded the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in stopping “Kannada atrocities “and the “pervert mindset”.

    Stating that Shivaji Maharaj is the “deity” of not only Maharashtra but of the entire country, Thackeray, who heads Shiv Sena, said any disrespect and insult to the founder of the Maratha empire will not be tolerated.

    A statue of the 17th Century king was allegedly desecrated in the Karnataka capital.

    Following this incident, a crowd hurled stones at police and government vehicles in Belagavi around midnight, official sources said.

    Maharashtra is locked in a bitter border dispute with Karnataka for the inclusion of border areas, including Belagavi, in the western state.

    “PM Modi should direct the Karnataka government to take action in the matter. This incident (alleged desecration of the statue) cannot be taken lightly. For several years, Marathi-speaking people in Karnataka are facing atrocities. Now, the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is desecrated,” Thackeray said in a statement.

    He referred to the speech delivered by PM Modi in Varanasi recently where he had mentioned Chhatrapati Shivaji.

    “PM Modi had said in Varanasi that whenever India’s culture was crushed, warrior kings like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj have risen. But just a few days after Modi’s remarks, Shivaji Maharaj’s statue is attacked in Karnataka which is ruled by BJP. Instead of taking action, the voice of the Marathi people is being suppressed. This is condemnable,” the CM said.

    Thackeray demanded that the prime minister intervene to stop “Kannada atrocities” on the Marathi people.

    “It should be kept in mind that hurting the Marathi pride will prove costly. The Centre should give up double standards and take stern steps,” he said.

    Maharashtra Urban Development Minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde said the Karnataka government will be responsible for any reaction to the incident wherein ink was thrown at the statue (of Shivaji Maharaj).

    Shinde is the coordination minister for Marathi-dominated border areas of Karnataka.

    “The statement of Karnataka chief minister Basavaraj Bommai that the incident was minor was also condemnable,” he said in a statement.

    NCP leader and cabinet minister Chhagan Bhujbal said BJP had used Shivaji Maharaj only for its election campaign.

    “Maharashtra will not tolerate the insult of the warrior king,” said Bhujbal, who is also the coordinating minister for the Marathi-dominated border areas in Karnataka.

    “The Karnataka government started holding a legislature session in Belgaum to claim its right over the city,” he said, adding that “moves” of the Karnataka government against Marathi people will never succeed.

    “We will win the fight on the streets and in courts (over the inclusion of Marathi-speaking areas in Maharashtra), ” he said.

    Congress leader and Revenue Minister Balasaheb Thorat and Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil, who belongs to NCP, also condemned the incident and said the insult of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj will not be tolerated.

  • How Uddhav Thackeray has surprised all as Maharashtra Chief Minister in 2 years

    Express News Service

    MUMBAI:  On November 28, 2019, when Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, with no administrative experience, took oath as the 18th chief minister of Maharashtra heading a three-party coalition government, many including his critics as well as close associates were not sure about how he would negotiate the governance challenges as well as walk the political tightrope.

    As Uddhav completed two years in office on Sunday, both critics and supporters agreed how deftly he has handled these challenges and marked his stamp at the national level. Not only did he successfully manage a crisis of gigantic proportions like Covid-19, with Maharashtra being among the worst affected, he has also so far safeguarded the Maha Vikas Aghadi government from BJP’s alleged attempts of toppling.

    ‘Efficiently handled Covid’

    Professor Surendra Jondhale, who teaches political science at Mumbai University, said Uddhav has surprised many with his efficient handling of the Covid situation. “During the pandemic, he never raised any rabble-rousing Hindutva or sentimental non-issues that Sena is known for, but focused on good governance. His address at the state programme was a hit with the middle class and earned him a good name. Now, the immediate challenge before him is to retain power in the BMC polls,” he said.

    Jondhale said Uddhav has also showed his mettle in maintaining the delicate balance between all three MVA partners with varying ideological. “He has maintained good relations with big leaders like former chief minister Ashok Chavan of Congress, Ajit Pawar, Balasaheb Thorat, Chhagan Bhujbal and Jayant Patil. His lack of administrative experience never became an issue; it rather turned out to be his plus point as he started on a clean slate,” Jondhale said.

    Kept BJP at bayPolitical observers pointed out that the BJP, smarting under its former ally’s snub at the time of government formation, has not left any opportunity in past two years to try and topple or damage the MVA government. But all its efforts have come to a naught and the credit for that goes in good measure to Uddhav.

    “The BJP is in power at the Centre but not in Maharashtra. It means political power without finance as Mumbai is the country’s financial power centre. Uddhav has not only consolidated his position as a chief minister but also led party’s victory march beyond Maharashtra and won the Dadra Nagar Haveli Lok Sabha seat for the first time,” said a political observer, terming it a big boost to the Sena supremo’s leadership.

    Civic body polls next test

    The upcoming BMC, Nasik, Navi Mumbai and Pune municipal corporation polls will be Uddhav’s next big political test. “BMC is the soul of the Shiv Sena. The BJP, which last time missed the bus by a slender margin, will against go all-out to wrest the cash-rich corporation from its ally-turned-rival. This election will also test whether the core Hindutva and Marathi voters of Sena are still with the party or have been swayed away by the BJP,” said political scientist Ranjeet Shinde.

    Pratap Asale, a senior political analyst, said Uddhav managed many situations including Covid-19 efficiently, but has not been able to handle the Amrawati riot and the Maharashtra state transport employees’ stir. “However, the state has not treated the protesting employees as enemy, which the BJP generally does whenever someone goes against them. This approach of the Uddhav government is a major plus point that has kept the communications with the stakeholders open,” Asabe said. He added that the Opposition and even cabinet colleague “underestimated Uddhav’s leadership”. 

    MVA worst ever: BJP

    The BJP on Sunday hit out at the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) regime on the completion of two years in office, calling it the “most corrupt, opportunist, anti-people and useless” dispensation in the state, and said that Uddhav Thackeray is “accidental and absentee” CM

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

    Express News Service

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Express News Service

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    (With PTI Inputs)

  • Shiv Sena needs to think differently even as it leads MVA, says Sanjay Raut

    By PTI

    AURANGABAD: The Shiv Sena will have to think differently for itself even as it remains part of and steers the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in Maharashtra, the party’s Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut said here on Friday.

    Speaking at an event to felicitate party workers, he also expressed confidence that Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray would lead the country someday.

    “Politics is changeable. What is today, may not be tomorrow. So while we are with the MVA, we also have to think differently. While the party is changing, we must work to gain the faith of every community,” he said.

    Against the backdrop of the party winning the Dadra and Nagar Haveli Lok Sabha bypoll recently, Raut said the Sena was late in moving out of Maharashtra but expressed confidence that “one day (Chief Minister) Uddhav Thackeray will surely lead the nation”.

    “We will now go to Gujarat, Goa and Uttar Pradesh. We were late to go out of the state but the step was powerful. One day, Uddhav Thackeray will lead the nation. At that time, Maharashtra should be with us,” he said.

  • Uddhav Thackeray undergoes spine surgery, doing well: Maharashtra Chief Minister’s Office

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray successfully underwent a cervical spine surgery at the HN Reliance Hospital here, his office said on Friday. 61-year-old Thackeray has been moved to a ward after his surgery, said a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) quoting two doctors of the hospital – Ajit Desai and Shekhar Bhojraj.

    “The doctors said he was stable during the surgery and has been doing well,” the statement said. Dr Desai is a cardiologist, while Dr Bhojraj is a spine surgeon. On Wednesday, Thackeray was admitted to the hospital on the advice of doctors after his neck pain aggravated. Earlier this week, he had attended an event wearing a cervical collar.

  • Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray appeals to MSRTC employees to cooperate with state govt in resolving their woes

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray appealed to the state road transport corporation employees on Wednesday not to hold the state’s poor people hostage by continuing their strike, and cooperate with the government in its effort to resolve their issues.

    In a statement, Thackeray also hit out at the opposition for “instigating” the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) employees for their political gains.

    This is not the time to play politics, he said.

    Bus operations at all 250 depots of the state-run MSRTC were shut on Wednesday due to the strike by its employees over the demand for a merger of the cash-strapped corporation with the state government.

    Lakhs of passengers were facing hardships as the MSRTC buses were off roads.

    The Bombay High Court on Monday deprecated the MSRTC employees’ “adamant stand” of not withdrawing the stir despite the state government extending full cooperation and setting up a committee to address their merger demand, as per the HC’s directions.

    On Wednesday, CM Thackeray said, “Since the last few days, the government has taken steps to address the issues. Even the high court is satisfied with the steps taken by the government to address the issues of MSRTC employees.

    “In such circumstances, I appeal to you with folded hands not to hold poor people of the state hostage,” he said.

    Thackeray said the state has been battling the coronavirus pandemic for nearly two years now.

    “So please cooperate with the state government,” he added.

    The MSRTC is one of the biggest state transport corporations in the county with a fleet of more than 16,000 buses and around 93,000 employees, including drivers and conductors.

    The corporation used to ferry over 65 lakh passengers daily before the coronavirus outbreak last year.

  • Dadra Nagar Haveli win: Shiv Sena shows they can fight in BJP’s territory too

    Express News Service

    MUMBAI: The Shiv Sena marked the historical victory in the Dadra Nagar Haveli Lok Sabha bypolls by winning the seat by 51000 votes against the BJP candidate. This is the first major win of Shiv Sena outside Maharashtra.

    Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut tweeted, “First step outside Maharashtra, a giant leap towards Delhi via Dadra Nagar Haveli.”

    First step outside Maharashtra, giant leap towards Delhi via Dadra Nagar Haveli ! #ChaloDelhi pic.twitter.com/8sbqBgSbna
    — Sanjay Raut (@rautsanjay61) November 2, 2021
    Shiv Sena’s Kalaben Delkar won by 51,269 votes against the BJP candidate Mahesh Gavit. Dadra Nagar Haveli Lok Sabha bypoll was necessitated by the death of independent Lok Sabha MP Mohan Delkar. Shiv Sena fielded his widow Kalaben, who bagged 1,18,035 votes aganst her closest rival Gavit, who got 66,766 votes. In 2019, Mohan Delkar won this same seat by 9,001 votes against the BJP candidate Natubhai Patel.

    Shiv Sena’s Pawan Kumar Pandey won from Akbarpur assembly seat in Uttar Pradesh in 1991 when Ram Mandir movement was at its nadir.

    READ HERE | Shiv Sena wins Dadra and Nagar Haveli Lok Sabha seat in bypoll

    Sachin Parab, a senior journalist who closely follow the Shiv Sena and wrote books on Uddhav Thackeray’s grandfather Prabodhankar Thackeray said that Dadra Nagar Haveli victory of Shiv Sena will give them more power and voice to attack to BJP in the coming days. He said the union territory of Dadra Nagar Haveli is part of Gujarat with 30 per cent Marathi population. “Shiv Sena has shown that they can fight and defeat the BJP in their territory also. So there will be more political slugfest between Uddhav Thackeray and Narendra Modi- Amit Shah in future. This victory has also catapulted Uddhav Thackeray as centre politics and Sanjay Raut has also hinted in that direction as well,” Parab said.

    He said though Bal Thackeray created Shiv Sena’s base in Dadra Nagar Haveli, he could not reap success there — something his son Uddhav Thackeray has now succeeded in. “Besides, Dadra Nagar Haveli and Deglu victory has also consolidated the position of Maha Vikas Aghadi. They will strongly fight with BJP and win the seats. This defeat is a major setback to BJP. The morale of their workers will get down in Dadra Nagar Haveli as well in Maharashtra,” Parab added.   

  • Uddhav Thackeray refuses to get drawn into Nawab Malik-Sameer Wankhede row

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Monday sidestepped questions related to controversy over allegations made by his cabinet colleague Nawab Malik against Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Mumbai zonal director Sameer Wankhede.

    On COVID-19, he said the pace of vaccination has slowed down and added that a third wave of the pandemic will depend on new variants of coronavirus.

    Asked about Malik’s allegations against former CM and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis over alleged links with drug peddlers, Thackeray remarked, “There are mutations in the allegations. Let’s see what happens.”

    ALSO READ | Nawab Malik tweets pics of Devendra Fadnavis with alleged drug peddler; ex-CM says will expose minister

    Earlier in the day, Malik tweeted a photograph of an alleged narcotics dealer with Fadnavis’ wife Amruta.

    Fadnavis said Malik’s tweet reflected his mentality and claimed he will “burst a bomb” after Diwali by making revelations about the NCP minister’s “underworld links”.

    In an informal interaction with media persons ahead of Diwali, Thackeray refused to comment on political issues and questions related to Malik’s allegations against Wankhede.

    The IRS officer is in the eye of a political storm after Malik accused him of forging documents to get a government job, lying about his religion and arresting people in “bogus” drugs cases.

    Wankhede has denied all allegations.

    ​ALSO READ | Nawab Malik vs Sameer Wankhede: NCB official to meet NCSC chairperson in Delhi, submit caste documents

    Speaking on the coronavirus situation in the state, he said, “The pace of vaccination has slowed down. More awareness is necessary to expedite the vaccination drive. A third wave is still unpredictable. All depends on new variants and mutations.”

    He said COVID-19 protocols must be followed though almost all restrictions related to coronavirus have been lifted.

    Thackeray, whose three-party coalition government will complete two years in office this month-end, said he has not changed as a person after becoming CM.

    The chief minister lashed out at his critics for commenting that he has not been visiting Mantralaya (state secretariat) and working from there.

    “I want to know what great work has been done by those who used to sit in Mantralaya,” he said, without naming the BJP, the main opposition party in the state and his former ally.

    Asked about marriage plans for his son and cabinet minister Aaditya Thackeray (31), the CM quipped, “First, I would have to know his mann ki baat.”

    ​ALSO READ | My fight against Wankhede’s fraud, says Nawab Malik as Uddhav government mulls probe against NCB official

    The CM lamented his priorities as chief minister in coronavirus times have not allowed him to pursue his passion of photography.

    “I have not done anything (related to photography) except keeping my camera’s battery charged. If things would have gone as decided, I would have invited you to my photo exhibition,” said the Shiv Sena leader, a photography enthusiast.

    After the 2019 assembly polls, the BJP and the Shiv Sena ended their partnership over differences on sharing power and the latter joined hands with the NCP and the Congress to form the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government.

  • Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray to write to PM Modi over NCB’s ‘harassment’ on celebrities

    Express News Service

    MUMBAI: Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray will write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi raising concern over the malafide actions of Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and other central agencies on Bollywood celebrities and extorting them as it will have an adverse impact on Mumbai and the country’s economy.

    Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik met Thackeray and home minister Dilip Walse Patil demanding a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the allegations of NCB’s malafide raid and extortion racket. Malik said that the chief minister also raised concerns over the the anti-drug agency’s malafide raids on Bollywood personalities on flimsy charges and the following harassment.

    “The chief minister said that after Hollywood, Bollywood is the only major entertainment industry in the world which not only spreads our culture but generates jobs as well. The industry’s contribution is two to three per cent in they country’s GDP and if it is damaged, then not only Mumbai will suffer but the country’s economy will also,” Malik said

    Meanwhile, the NCB has formed a five-member team to probe extortion charges against is Mumbai zonal director Sameer Wankhede.

    A five-member NCB team including deputy DG (North) Gyaneshwar Singh will leave Delhi for Mumbai on Wednesday to probe the charges against Wankhede of extortion, planting drugs and framing Bollywood celebrities along with politicians .

    NCP spokesperson Sanjay Tatkare alleged, “Gyaneshwar Singh is the same person, who not only defended the agency’s functioning but also protected Wankhede as well  after minsiter Nawab Malik’s big expose on the involvement of a private citizen (KP Gosavi) and BJP leader Manish Bhanushali in the cruise party raid case. So, how can we expect a fair probe against Wankhede,” Tatkare alleged.

    Prabhakar Sail, an independent witness in the cruise drugs case, had on Sunday revealed in an affidavit and a video message that Wankhede, his middle man Sam D’Souza and Gosavi had demanded Rs 25 crore from Bollywood star Shahrukh Khan to release his son from a drug case.

    ALSO READ| NCB Mumbai director Sameer Wankhede visits Delhi headquarters

    He had also alleged that Sameer Wankhede had forcibly taken his signature as a witness on ten blank pages in the cruise raid case.

    Meanwhile, Malik, who welcomed the NCB’s probe against Wankhede, also submitted another set of  allegations against Sameer Wankhede where it was alleged that Wankhede used to plant drugs in celebrities’ houses, frame them and extort money later.

    The ‘Special 26’ charges against Wankhede was anonymously shared by the NCB officer with Malik by post. The NCP leader submitted it to the NCB asking the charges are very serious in nature and it should should be included as part of their probe against Wankhede.

    Reacting to this anonymous letter, NCB’s deputy DG (South-West) Mutha Ashok Jain said that they have received the letter and decided to take cognizance of the same.

    Malik further alleged that Wankhede was illegally intercepting phones of some people with the help of two private citizens in Mumbai and Thane and also said that Wankhede is checking the call records of the minister’s daughters. “He is intruding into a citizen’s privacy by intercepting their mobiles phone and then trapping and framing them. This is a syndicated crime that has to be probed fairly,” Malik said.

    ALSO READ| Prabhakar Sail stands by allegation of extortion attempt in Aryan Khan drugs case

    He also asked the Wankhede family that if the birth certificate of Sameer Wankhede shared by him is fake then they should share his original certificate and added that a complaint will be filed in the alleged fake caste certificate case.

    “ManyDalit activists and organisations are in touch with me and soon they will be filing a complaint. Wankhede has snatched the right of an eligible SC student for becoming an IRS officer by using a false certificate,” the minister said.

    Meanwhile, senior lawyer and former attorney-general Mukul Rohatgi made a strong argument in the Bombay High Court during the hearing for the bail application of Aryan Khan. He said that though Aryan neither had possession of nor did he consume any drug, he was still sent to jail for 20 days.

    Justice NW Sambre of the Bombay HC adjourned the hearing on Wednesday where the bail plea of other accused Arbaz Merchant and Munmum Dhamecha will be also heard.