News Analysis India

Tag: Uddhav Thackeray

  • Maharashtra CM should convey his COVID worries to allies too: BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday said Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray should communicate his concerns about large gatherings amid the coronavirus pandemic to his own party and the allies too.

    Fadnavis was speaking to reporters after the launch of `Jan Ashirwad Yatra’ of the newly-inducted Union minister Narayan Rane in Mumbai.

    To a question about Thackeray expressing concerns about public rallies being held amid the pandemic, Fadnavis said, “His concern is correct, but he should communicate it to the NCP, Congress and his own party, Shiv Sena. He should not preach to us alone.”

    The BJP’s rivals should worry “because of the response we are getting at such rallies,” the former chief minister added.

    On opposition by some Sena leaders to Rane’s visit to the memorial of Shiv Sena founder late Bal Thackeray, Fadnavis said, “It is a narrow-minded stand….Such approach has no place in Maharashtra’s politics. I believe Balasaheb Thackeray himself would not have spared any person for such a narrow-minded approach.”

    Rane started his political career with the Sena before joining the Congress and later the BJP.

    Explaining the purpose behind holding rallies during the pandemic, Fadnavis said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made his cabinet more inclusive. The newly-inducted ministers like Narayan Rane are thus engaging in a dialogue with people. It is not meant only for the next year’s BMC (Mumbai civic body) polls. We fell short of two seats last time in the BMC, this time we will bridge the gap.”

    Asked about cases being filed against BJP workers for organizing rallies, Fadnavis said, “Our DNA has been shaped by working as opposition for many years. We do not get rattled by such complaints….You can not put pressure on BJP by merely using the police force.”

  • Shiv Sena slams Maharashtra Governor over MLCs nomination row

    By ANI

    MUMBAI: Shiv Sena on Wednesday, August 18, 2021, slammed Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari over the delay in the decision on the nomination of 12 Members of Legislative Council (MLC) recommended by the Uddhav Thackeray government.

    Shiv Sena mouthpiece Saamana alleged that Koshyari’s behaviour as Governor is “unconstitutional and politically biased”.

    Taking a jibe at the Maharashtra Governor, Saamana said that the MLCs would not be appointed until the Governor’s “favourite government” comes to power in the state.

    The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in Maharashtra had submitted a list of 12 members to be nominated to the Legislative Council to the Governor on November 6 last year but Maharashtra Governor has not taken any decision over the matter yet, it claimed.

    Referring to the order passed by the Bombay High Court in the matter, the editorial said: “The state High Court has said that it is the duty of Koshyari to declare his decision on the nomination of 12 MLCs. Taking eight months to make a decision is a little too much.”

    The editorial also mentioned the recent meeting of Governor Koshyari with NCP leader Sharad Pawar during a flag hoisting event.

    “During the meeting, Pawar asked the Governor about the appointment of the 12 MLCs to which Koshyari replied that he (Pawar) need not insist about the appointment as the state government is not requesting about it,” the editorial read.

    “However, Pawar reminded him that the Chief Minister had already sent a letter to take a decision regarding the appointment of twelve MLCs soon. Pawar took a jibe on Koshyari saying that he must have forgotten about it because he is getting old.”

    “What should the state government do to remind the Governor that it is the Constitutional duty of the governor to sign the proposal sent by the Cabinet. Should the state Cabinet gather at the Raj Bhavan and bang utensils to attract his attention over the matter?” it added.

    “Koshyari’s behaviour as a Governor is unconstitutional and politically biased,” it said.

    Shiv Sena also slammed Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) and said that Raj Bhavan could not help them in changing the power in the state.

    Shiv Sena, in its editorial, has also requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to interfere in the matter. 

  • Shiv Sena leaders obstructing highway projects in Maharashtra, Nitin Gadkari alleges in letter to CM Uddhav Thackeray

    By PTI

    NAGPUR: Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has written a letter to Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray claiming that local leaders of the ruling Shiv Sena were creating obstructions for several road projects undertaken by his ministry in the state.

    It the ‘harassment’ of contractors and officials by local leaders continued, the Union ministry will have to consider if these projects should continue, he warned in the missive, dated July 25.

    The letter went viral on social media on Saturday.

    A source close to the Union minister confirmed its authenticity.

    Incidentally, Gadkari was PWD minister in the Shiv Sena-BJP government in Maharashtra in the 1990s.

    Several projects of four-laning of national highways and bridges are underway in Akola, Nanded, Washim and Osmanabad districts, but public representatives from Thackeray-led Shiv Sena were obstructing these works, the senior BJP leader said.

    Contractors and officials are being harassed with “illegal demands” and in some cases work has been stopped by local leaders, he alleged.

    The four-laning of the 202-km National Highway between Akola and Nanded including the construction of a 12-km bypass from Gedshi to Washim has been stopped by local Shiv Sena leaders, Gadkari claimed.

    Work of Malegaon to Risod National Highway has been completed except for a bridge over the Painganga river as local leaders threatened the contractor and stopped the work, he said.

    The Pulgaon-Karanja-Malegaon-Mehkar-Sindkhedraja National Highway is in a very bad condition and his ministry had started repair work at the cost of Rs 135 crore, Gadkari said.

    “This work is almost complete. I was informed that the Shiv Sainiks had stopped the work in Washim district, particularly that of the road through Seloo Bazar village. When the contractor resumed work as per people’s demand as the road was in dangerous condition, Shiv Sena workers set machinery on fire and terrorized officers, employees and workers. As a result, the work has stopped again,” the letter alleged.

    “Therefore, should the National Highway work in Washim district continue? We are seriously considering this…If this continues, our ministry will have to think about sanctioning of works of National Highways in Maharashtra. This will harm Maharashtra and its people,” Gadkari said.

    Thackeray should intervene and find a solution, he said.

  • Uddhav Thackeray to attend Opposition meeting called by Sonia Gandhi

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray will attend the meeting of opposition leaders called by Congress president Sonia Gandhi on August 20, his party said on Friday.

    Thackeray will attend the meeting through video link, Sena leader Sanjay Raut told PTI.

    Congress is part of the Sena-led ruling coalition in Maharashtra along with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).

    The NCP’s chief spokesperson Nawab Malik said he didn’t know whether the Sharad Pawar-led party had been invited or if it was going to attend the meeting.

  • United Opposition show? Sonia to meet Congress CMs, Uddhav on August 20

    By ANI

    NEW DELHI: Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Thursday said that Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi will meet leaders and Chief Ministers of Congress-ruled states on 20 August.

    While speaking to the media, the Shiv Sena leader said, “The Opposition is united. On August 20, Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi will speak to CMs of Congress-ruled states. Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray will also take part in this meeting.”

    Speaking about security marshals being called in yesterday during the passage of the insurance amendment bill in the Rajya Sabha, Raut said, “Do you want to scare us? Today we will be meeting in Mallikarjun Kharge’s chamber and decide what to do.”

    Earlier today, Raut in a tweet said, “Is this our parliamentary Democracy? Marshall law in Temple of Democracy.”

    On Wednesday, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi had alleged that opposition members “manhandled marshals” in the Rajya Sabha and said their behaviour during the session was a “black spot in the history of Indian democracy”.

    The Union Minister also appealed to the Chairman to release the CCTV footage in the public domain.

    Both the Houses – Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha were adjourned sine die on Wednesday, two days before the scheduled conclusion.

    During the monsoon session, the opposition continuously protested and forced adjournments for their other demands including a probe into allegations of surveillance through Pegasus spyware and the repeal of new farm laws.

  • Oxygen requirement will be criterion for imposing lockdown: Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: The daily oxygen requirement for COVID-19 patients will be the deciding factor for imposing lockdown in future, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said on Wednesday.

    If the oxygen requirement reaches 700 metric tons, lockdown will be imposed again, he said in a statement.

    The daily oxygen production capacity in the state is 1,300 metric tons, he said.

    “During the second wave, when the number of COVID-19 cases showed a steep spike, the demand for oxygen was also very high. Some 500 metric tons of oxygen had to be procured from other states. If the demand goes up to 700 metric tons daily, which is the quantity needed for nearly 30,000 patients, the state will be once again brought under lockdown,” Thackeray said.

    The chief minister’s statement came in the wake of the government’s decision to ease restrictions by allowing local train travel in Mumbai for fully vaccinated people, and allowing shops, malls, restaurants, gyms and salons to remain open till 10 pm from August 15.

    The Delta variant of the COVID-19 is spreading fast in other countries like UK and USA, Thackeray said, adding that easing of restrictions is being done very cautiously.

    “We have to be vigilant against the third wave and various variants of the virus,” Thackeray said.

  • Big battle in BJP Maharashtra, incumbent state president Chandrakant Patil may go soon

    Express News Service

    Maharashtra BJP president Chandrakant Patil has been the eyes and nose of Amit Shah in Maharashtra, but his days seem to be numbered as state president.

    According to the highly placed sources in BJP, Maharashtra state president Chandrakant Patil is no more in the good books of Union minister Amit Shah. As a replacement, senior BJP leaders Chandrashekhar Bawankule and Ashish Shelar, a close confidant of Amit Shah, are going round. Devendra Fadnavis is pitching Bawankule’s name as president as an OBC face.

    “Patil’s extra adventurous decisions of cozying up with MNS chief Raj Thackeray has not gone down well with the Delhi leadership of the BJP in view of Uttar Pradesh state elections. Raj Thackeray is known for his anti north Indian stand. If the BJP allies with Thackeray for the upcoming municipal polls that will have larger repercussions damaging the north Indian vote bank and sending the wrong message ahead of crucial Uttar Pradesh state polls,” said sources requested anonymity.

    Chandrakant Patil was in Delhi and he returned back without meeting Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. On the other hand, Leader of Opposition and BJP MLA Devendra Fadnavis met Amit Shah and discussed state issues as well.

    Patil tried to clarify that he had no schedule to meet Amit Shah and Narendra Modi. “But had I met both the leaders, it would have been a great visit to Delhi. I was told that they were busy in the ongoing monsoon session of parliament. People should not read much in my not meeting Amit Shah and Narendra Modi in Delhi visit,” Patil said.

    Sources said that the Patil-Fadnavis duo is not able to topple and counter the Maha Vikas Aghadi led by Uddhav Thackeray, successfully.

    “Delhi leadership of BJP are very much concerned about the Uttar Pradesh and Lok Sabha 2024. Maharashtra is the state that sends 48 members of parliaments that is big therefore they could not afford to lose Maharashtra for a long time. The RSS has also asked to get their act together as BJP organisation is in disarray,” said source requested anonymity.

  • Maharashtra govt to reopen schools in rural and urban areas from August 17

    Express News Service

    Maharashtra government issued a notification on Tuesday permitting the schools to restart classes for the 5th to 7th standard in rural areas and 8th to 12th standard classes in urban areas from August 17.

    Maharashtra Educations Minister Varsha Gaikwad said that they have permitted the schools to restart the classes by following their given Standard Operative Procedures (SOPs).

    “In the rural areas, the Covid 19 positive cases have come down drastically, so schools can restart there. They earlier started the higher secondary classes from 8th to 12th standard classes. In urban localities, the higher secondary classes from 8th to 12th standard classes will start from August 17,” Ms Gaikwad said.

    School Education Minister further said that Mumbai, Thane and its adjoining metropolitan region’s respective authorities have to make the decision regarding reopening the schools in their respective localities.

    However, in the meeting that CM Uddhav Thackeray called last Monday with the health task force, he decided that in Mumbai and it’s extended suburbs like Thane, Navi Mumbai etc, the schools should start only after Diwali.

    “The task force advised that local trains will be permitted for common people from August 17, therefore the government should not rush to restart the schools at the same time. This will add more people on road and that can result in spreading the virus speedily. Therefore, the government should take cautious approach for reopening schools in Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai etc as these are highly dense localities” said a senior government official who was part of this meeting.

    Interestingly, in Maharashtra, the Covid-19 cases are below 5000 per day and there are some districts like Bhandara and Dhule that have got zero active cases now.

    “The situation is better, but we cannot drop our guard against the deadly virus. People should continue to wear mask, sanitise their hand etc. The danger is not yet over. We have to prepare for the third wave if it comes. We are setting up oxygen plants at every district civil hospital,” said Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray.

  • COVID-19: Maharashtra government listing new areas where more relaxations can be introduced

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: The Maharashtra COVID-19 task force has discussed the possibility of granting more relaxations in restrictions while observing precautions, and also deliberated on tackling the possible third wave of the pandemic, requirement of medical oxygen and increasing the pace of vaccination, an official said.

    A meeting of the task force, held on Monday evening, was attended by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, state Chief Secretary Sitaram Kunte, COVID-19 task force head Dr Sanjay Oak and other members.

    “The state government is now preparing new guidelines after receiving various suggestions and instructions from doctors, experts and government departments. The focus of the discussion was basically on how to introduce further relaxations while observing precautions,” said a government official, who attended the meeting.

    He said the government is listing new areas where more relaxations can be introduced.

    The task force also discussed issues related to tackling of the possible third wave of the pandemic, requirement of medical oxygen, increasing the pace of vaccination, effective implementation of tracing and tracking, among others, he said.

    The state government had excluded malls, cinema halls, theatres, religious places and religious gatherings from the purview of relaxations introduced last week.

    The government had allowed shops to function till 8 pm in 25 districts, while excluding 11 districts where level-3 restrictions continue to remain in force due to a higher COVID-19 positivity rate.

    Restaurant owners, malls and other establishments have been demanding that the government extend the current timings.

    Various artists have also demanded that theatres be allowed to function with restrictions.

    The government is also under pressure to open religious places.

    CM Thackeray on Sunday announced that fully vaccinated citizens in Mumbai can travel in local trains from August 15, but a gap of 14 days from the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine is necessary to avail of the facility.

    He had also said his government was considering granting relaxations to shops, malls, restaurants and places of religious worship, and a decision would be taken following a meeting of the coronavirus task force on Monday.

    Thackeray had also said that the COVID-19 situation in Pune, Ahmednagar, Solapur, Kolhapur, Sangli, Satara, Sindhudurg, Ratnagiri, and Beed districts was a cause of concern.

    On Monday, Maharashtra reported 4,505 new COVID-19 cases and 68 fatalities, taking the tally of infections to 63,57,833 and the toll to 1,34,064, as per the state health department.

  • COVOD-19: Maharashtra govt listing new areas where more relaxations can be introduced

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: The Maharashtra COVID-19 task force has discussed the possibility of granting more relaxations in restrictions while observing precautions, and also deliberated on tackling the possible third wave of the pandemic, requirement of medical oxygen and increasing the pace of vaccination, an official said.

    A meeting of the task force, held on Monday evening, was attended by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, state Chief Secretary Sitaram Kunte, COVID-19 task force head Dr Sanjay Oak and other members.

    “The state government is now preparing new guidelines after receiving various suggestions and instructions from doctors, experts and government departments. The focus of the discussion was basically on how to introduce further relaxations while observing precautions,” said a government official, who attended the meeting.

    He said the government is listing new areas where more relaxations can be introduced.

    The task force also discussed issues related to tackling of the possible third wave of the pandemic, requirement of medical oxygen, increasing the pace of vaccination, effective implementation of tracing and tracking, among others, he said.

    The state government had excluded malls, cinema halls, theatres, religious places and religious gatherings from the purview of relaxations introduced last week.

    The government had allowed shops to function till 8 pm in 25 districts, while excluding 11 districts where level-3 restrictions continue to remain in force due to a higher COVID-19 positivity rate.

    Restaurant owners, malls and other establishments have been demanding that the government extend the current timings.

    Various artists have also demanded that theatres be allowed to function with restrictions.

    The government is also under pressure to open religious places.

    CM Thackeray on Sunday announced that fully vaccinated citizens in Mumbai can travel in local trains from August 15, but a gap of 14 days from the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine is necessary to avail of the facility.

    He had also said his government was considering granting relaxations to shops, malls, restaurants and places of religious worship, and a decision would be taken following a meeting of the coronavirus task force on Monday.

    Thackeray had also said that the COVID-19 situation in Pune, Ahmednagar, Solapur, Kolhapur, Sangli, Satara, Sindhudurg, Ratnagiri, and Beed districts was a cause of concern.

    On Monday, Maharashtra reported 4,505 new COVID-19 cases and 68 fatalities, taking the tally of infections to 63,57,833 and the toll to 1,34,064, as per the state health department.