Two-hundred-and-eighty buses have been dropped from the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) fleet. The undertaking on Wednesday failed to crack the deal with a wet lease operator at a meeting and has now decided to slap a legal notice and terminate the contract with the contractor, Hansa City Bus Service Private Limited, for the withdrawal of its buses. In areas in the western suburbs such as Andheri, Jogeshwari and Goregaon, 280 buses have been off the road due to the wet lease contractor’s inability to operate the buses since last week, inconveniencing thousands of commuters. “In Wednesday’s meeting, the wet lease contractor showed the inability to execute this contract further. Hence, legal proceedings regarding the termination of the contract will be initiated shortly,” BEST spokesperson Sudas Sawant said. Commuters have been greatly inconvenienced due to the non-availability of the 31-seater mini buses at Dindoshi, Oshiwara and Marol since October 12. Mini AC buses have been replaced by ordinary buses wherever possible, but a number of routes have still been affected. Officials said the operator demanded R90 crore from the undertaking, which was deducted over the years and expressed financial inability to operate buses. Hansa City Bus Service Private Limited’s representatives were not available for comment but sources said they blamed the BEST for using minibuses for main routes, which led to more wear and tear. With 280 buses off, the bus fleet has now dropped below 3,000 buses. “We have taken up the issue with the BEST. What is happening is incorrect. We are also worried about the employees of the private operator, who will now be left jobless,” Shashank Sharad Rao, BEST Workers’ Union’s general secretary, said. Rupesh Shelatkar, president, Aapli Best Aaplyachsathi, said adopting the wet lease model had exacerbated the BEST precarious situation. “Initially presented as a financial reform to address the organization’s longstanding fiscal crisis, the model promised cost savings. However, the wet lease arrangement has proven expensive and problematic, further straining BEST. The undertaking’s own fleet is rapidly depleting, with many vehicles nearing the end of their 15-year lifespan. The introduction of private contractors has complicated matters,” said Shelatkar. 3,000Approximate no. of buses in BEST fleet
24 October,2024 07:51 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarThe BMC wants to learn how cities worldwide are generating revenue to fund their administration and urban services. The civic body has appointed a consultant to research global revenue models and suggest similar sources before next year’s budget presentation to help boost its dwindling revenue. Though still considered the wealthiest municipal corporation in the country, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is struggling to bridge the gap between revenue and expenditure. For the current financial year, the civic body sanctioned a budget of Rs 60,000 crore but has to withdraw Rs 22,500 crore from fixed deposits to cover project costs. The fixed deposits have depleted by Rs 10,000 crore in just two years, and projects worth Rs 2,00,000 crore have already been sanctioned. As a result, the BMC has appointed a consultant to explore more revenue sources to support its growing expenditure. “The BMC selected M/s Ernst and Young LLP to suggest new revenue sources and recommend upgrades for the accounts department’s functioning. No other corporation in the country matches the BMC in scale, so they will study revenue models from global cities and suggest implementable sources here,” said a BMC official. He added that while the contract lasts nine months, they expect some ideas to be presented by February, so they can be incorporated into next year’s budget. The BMC is paying Rs 71 lakh for the consultation. This is not the first time the BMC has sought to increase its revenue sources. The corporation heavily depends on compensation from the state government in lieu of octroi, as property tax, its second-largest source, has declined in contribution. In the 2023-24 budget, the BMC proposed new revenue streams, such as appointing agencies to boost property tax collection and advertising on BMC properties. They also suggested increasing property tax rates and hiring an agency to recover pending dues. However, none of these proposals materialised. About ten years ago, there was a proposal to levy a Rs 100 property tax on every slum dwelling, but political parties opposed it. A few years later, they also waived property tax for apartments measuring up to 500 square feet. The BMC has not implemented a pending 16 per cent hike in property tax for the past five years, nor has it enforced the yearly 8 per cent increase in water bills. “There are many challenges in increasing revenue. The BMC needs a long-term, practical solution and must focus on incremental changes rather than imposing a heavy tax burden on citizens,” said another BMC official. For the current year (2024-25), the BMC has a budget of Rs 59,954 crore. The revenue income is estimated at Rs 36,644 crore, and the gap will be covered by withdrawing Rs 22,505 crore from fixed deposits. The BMC has kept ambiguity over the proposed property tax hike and other potential revenue sources.
24 October,2024 07:49 AM IST | Mumbai | Prajakta Kasale
Commuter and fisherfolk bodies have urged the railway authorities to avoid a repeat of the 2017 stampede at Prabhadevi (formerly Elphinstone) station. Due to the shifting of office spaces and an increasing number of Worli commuters, the crowd at the station in central Mumbai has steadily risen, often leaving the island platform overcrowded. Both fisherfolk and commuter associations have requested Western Railway to construct an additional platform on the station's east side. The narrow island platform has as many as 16 various structures on it leaving no breathing space, including five to six canteens, two to three juice stalls, one station, one product stall, multiple water cabins, multiple container cabins and even the ticket checkers offices with toilets. Devendra Tandel, president, Akhil Maharashtra Machhimar Kruti Samiti. Pics/Sayyed Sameer Abedi “We wish to bring to your kind attention the grave danger that commuters of Western Railway are facing while travelling through Prabhadevi Railway Station. There is a single platform at Prabhadevi station and during peak hours of morning and evening, there are trains from both Borivli bound and Churchgate bound that halt at almost the same time. This situation is creating a stampede like situation at both the north and south end of the bridges. There are women commuters who face unwanted harassment and children will be the soft victims if any such untoward incident occurs on account of the uncontrollable number of passengers alighting on this station,” Devendra Tandel, president of Akhil Maharashtra Machhimar Kruti Samiti said. In response to the growing number of commuters in central Mumbai, the recent Western Railway timetable included more train services from central and north Mumbai. Stations such as Prabhadevi, Dadar, Virar, and Dahanu have seen a significant rise in passengers over the years, prompting this adjustment based on statistical data. “The platforms at Prabhadevi station have too many passenger amenities and there is no free circulating area for commuters to walk and stand. The platform is narrow and when trains come on both sides, it leads to problems. There is a need for design intervention and boosting the capacity of the platform. A double-discharge platform one would be an ideal solution,” Anshuman Trivedi, another commuter, said. “Considering that Prabhadevi railway station has one of the highest number of footfalls in the Western Railway, the area to cater this footfall is highly insufficient in nature thereby threatening the lives and compromising the safety of the railway passengers at large. Hence there is an urgent need for construction of an additional platform or an extension of the existing platform for Andheri/Borivli/Virar Bound trains at Prabhadevi station to diversify the footfall and ensure safety of the citizens of the passengers of Western Railway,” Tandel added. Western Railway officials said they will examine the proposal and assess what can be done best to alleviate the problem at Prabhadevi station. Average footfall per day 2018-19 72,4862019-20 74,1212021-22 23,6872022-23 54,180 2023-24 62,0982024-25 67,776 (Sept. 24) List of structures on narrow platform . One Station One Product stall. Water dispenser . Stall 1: Fruit juice . Stall 2: Canteen . Water tap . Water Vending Machine . Stall 3: Wheeler Multipurpose. Cabin under steps . SS office under bridge . Container room. Stall 4: Canteen . Stall 5: Canteen . Stall 6: Fruit juice. Container office . Toilet block. TC office with toilet Disaster on station bridge seven years ago On September 29, 2017, during the morning rush hour, a stampede occurred at the western side of the foot overbridge on the Parel–Prabhadevi railway station; 23 people were killed and 39 injured.
24 October,2024 07:26 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarWhile the residential colonies in Aarey are receiving adequate water supply, the nearby cattle farms are experiencing a water crisis, with cattle farm owners raising complaints that there is no drinking water for their cattle. This comes amid ongoing issues with the water pump, which broke a few days ago. The Aarey Milk Colony has 28 units, and currently, approximately 20 to 22 of these units are facing water shortage due to a malfunction of the water pump or motor. The balance units have a separate water connection. The cattle owners have expressed frustration, stating that the Aarey CEO’s office and Public Works Department (PWD), who are in charge of supplying the water to the cattle farm, have failed to address the necessary repairs. They have raised complaints that the pump, which broke about five days ago, has not been repaired even as of Wednesday, leaving them to rely on private tankers. The cattle owners say that over 10,000 of their buffaloes are without drinking water and that they are incurring daily expenses of R3,000 to purchase it from private tankers. Siraj Salema, a cattle farm owner, said the motor has been nonfunctional for the past five days. Owners from 22 units have lodged complaints with the Aarey CEO office and the PWD, but they have received no action. He said that he is incurring daily expenses of Rs 3,500 for water tankers to wash his buffaloes and provide them with drinking water. He emphasised that approximately 13,000 to 15,000 cattle are affected by the lack of water supply over the past week. Habib Raj Mohammad Khorajiya, another cattle farm owner, said, “The Powai water pipeline delivers water to Picnic Point Garden in Aarey Milk Colony, and from there, a water pump motor pushes it to the cattle farms. However, the pump has been out of service for the past five days due to a mechanical issue, and the authorities have yet to resolve it, forcing us to spend money on private water tankers.” Bilal Nagori, a cattle farm owner from Unit 15, said, “The water from Powai Lake is crucial for all dairy farmers in Aarey Milk Colony. Without it, our operations are severely impacted. The stables can’t be cleaned regularly, creating unsanitary conditions, and the animals aren’t being washed properly. Consequently, they often avoid drinking tanker water, which affects their health and reduces milk production.” Water supply in tribal hamlets There are 27 tribal hamlets in Aarey, and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) supplies water to these hamlets in the morning between 9 am and 10 am. The locals here have also been demanding that the water supply pressure to the hamlets should be increased along with an increase in time so that everyone can get a good stock of drinking water. 22No. of cattle units out of the total 28 operating out of Aarey that are hit by water shortage. The rest have a separate connection
24 October,2024 07:20 AM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet JadhavThe Bombay High Court, while hearing a suo motu PIL on Wednesday, on the issue of illegal hawking increasing in the city, directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to evict such vendors from the stretch between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Flora Fountain and monitor the situation for two weeks. If the civic body’s efforts prove successful, they can be replicated across the city, the court stated. The court also ordered the additional commissioner of police concerned to ensure armed police protection was provided to civic officials while they got rid of the hawkers. The PIL was heard by a division bench comprising Justice A S Gadkari and Justice Kamal Khata. During the hearing, the court emphasised that the removal of hawkers should be a continuous process, stating, “The BMC must remove them repeatedly if they return.” The bench was critical of the civic body's previous efforts. Justice Gadkari passing a comment said, “Officials are intentionally ignoring earlier directives or failing to understand simple instructions… Tell us bluntly, how many hawkers do you want to protect or hawkers from which area do you want to protect?” Before breaking for lunch, the court directed the BMC officers present to inspect the stretch between CSMT and Flora Fountain and submit a report on whether they were following the court's earlier orders concerning the removal of hawkers. Civic officials crack down on hawkers on D N Road following the high court’s orders Justice Gadkari stated, “This is complete lawlessness. Despite multiple orders passed by the court and replies filed by the state agencies, the ultimate result is that the hawkers are still on the spot. The BMC is unable to control hawkers. Pedestrians have the right to walk on the footpaths. The BMC has not complied with our orders time and again.” A few hours later… Shortly after the high court issued the orders, the BMC swung into action, seizing goods of hawkers who lacked licences. Initially, they were accompanied by police officers, but after some time the latter were seen leaving the civic officials to their own devices, in violation of the court’s orders. Police officers who accompanied civic officials during the crackdown. Pics/Atul Kamble Parikshak Patil, an official from the BMC’s encroachment department was heard requesting police officers to stay. In response to this, a police officer said he had somewhere else to be. Speaking in Marathi, the official said, “Tumhi tumchi karvayi kara, amhi amchi karvayi karayla jato [You do what you have to do, we are going to do what we have to do].” Patil, the civic official, said, “I was present during the hearing on Wednesday and heard each and every word the judges said. That’s why we requested the police officers to stay until our task was completed, but they left.” At some locations, hawkers were seen showing licences issued by the BMC licensing department. The BMC officials seized some goods from some of these hawkers while leaving others untouched. Explaining this, Patil said, “We cannot seize all the goods of licensed hawkers. These vendors are allowed to put up a 1x1-metre stall. We have seized whatever goods were outside this permitted space. Today, the licensing department officials will visit these stalls to check their licence again and issue an IR (inspection report). If the stall is found to be bigger than the area permitted, action will be taken against the stall owner." During the hearing when the BMC counsel had raised the point of licensed hawkers, the bench stated, “We said not a single unlicensed hawker should be seen on the decided stretch. We have not passed any directives about licensed hawkers. Whatever and whoever is illegal should go.” Oct 23Day hearing was held
24 October,2024 07:02 AM IST | Mumbai | Prasun ChoudhariFor that perfect frame A man throws caution to the wind as he balances himself on a divider to click a photograph near CSMT station. Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi Zombie alert in Bandra Bhavnani suggests recreating Michael Jackson’s classic zombie look from his track, Thriller. Pic Courtesy/Youtube You can’t negotiate with a zombie, or so say those who haven’t had a drink or two with the brainless, apocalypse-causing creatures. This Sunday, citizens ought to watch out as zombies crawl from pub to pub in the bylanes of Bandra. Inspired by Wench Film Festival’s founder Sapna Bhavnani’s recent visit to Spain, the Zombiecon India Walk aims to be a unique experience, where participants will dress up as zombies ahead of Halloween on October 31. “We will go from one pub to another in our zombie attire. Artist Mansi Mulherkar will do free zombie make-up for the first 60 participants,” Bhavnani shared. She has collaborated with NGO World For Animal Care, to introduce dog zombies, to spread awareness about the many strays who lose their lives in Diwali due to firecrackers-related accidents. For more information, head to @wench.filmfestival. Make-up artist Mansi Mulherkar; (right) Fire dancer Pearl William will perform at the event in Bandra A green future lies in their hands Programme at BNHS Nature Reserve City-based Roots Nature Club has rolled out another green initiative for children. This time, it is a programme that follows the Forest School Education (FSE) approach, where learning will be taken outdoors, amidst nature. “Kids who grow up in cities spend an average of only 30 minutes a day outside,” shared founder Pooja Hemdev Lalwani, “We are witnessing a stark rise in mental health disorders, loss of confidence and obesity in children across the world, making ‘Nature Deficit’ in our kids a real problem.” Their forest school programme aims to reconnect children with the wild through experiences that help boost self-confidence, empathy, compassion and creativity. “This will be a moving programme across India. We have started taking enrolments for the first capsule, which will begin on November 16 at BNHS Nature Reserve in Goregaon,” she revealed. Each session of two hours will be held on a weekly basis for five consecutive weeks. To enrol, parents must fill up an enquiry form. Link in bio of @rootsnatureclub. Spinning beats against all odds Khush Harlalka operates a DJ console There’s a new sound that’s emerging from DJ Institute in Kandivli that’s inspired by popular Bollywood tunes. Khush Harlalka, a student at the institute, lives with cerebral palsy. “Khush was always fascinated by DJs, and wanted to be one when he grew up,” said his mother, Simple Harlalka. Until last year, Khush watched other students, but recently, he began learning to become a Disc Jockey at the institute. “Finding an institute that accommodates him has been a challenge since he requires extra time and effort, as he can communicate but not clearly,” she shared. The 19-year-old learns concepts from his teachers and practices at home. “We recently bought a DJ console so he can practice at home. We also took him to a nightclub once to watch and to give him a feel of a live performance,” she revealed. “I take inspiration from DJs like DJ Aqeel and DJ Palsy P. My ultimate goal is to be happy and make people around me happy,” he conveyed to this diarist through his mother. Bienvenue à Mumbai, Vergain In his temps libre, one will often find Alliance Française’s new director, Laurent Vergain, take a walk across Fort and Colaba, hopping from one gallery and design shop to another, discovering cafés en route for warm crêpes, detox green juice, and rooftop views that remind him of Europe. “While there might not be too many obvious connections with France in the city, there are prominent traces of Europe in South Mumbai. Roads are narrower but one can tell that a cadastral plan of a European nature was thought out before the construction of the buildings,” he told this diarist. Vergain, who has been in the city for a month now, has visited most areas in this southern tip of the city, as well as parts of Lower Parel, Juhu and Bandra. “In the months to come, I wish to discover many places, the people of the city and its cultures,” he signed off. Art for a cause (Left) Prakash Bhoir creates Warli art paintings on the fabric In the adivasi village of Ketkipada, Aarey Colony, the Bhoir family is bringing alive a 25x30-inches-wide fabric with Warli artwork. “We are painting this fabric for an upcoming Children’s Day event at Oberoi International School,” shared Prakash Bhoir, adivasi activist. “Nature plays a key role in Warli painting. Through this artwork, which will feature animals, birds and trees, we wish to bring children closer to nature and make them understand the need to conserve it,” he told this diarist.
24 October,2024 06:42 AM IST | Mumbai | Team mid-dayDo you know what the stars hold for you in terms of love life, career, business and personal wellness today? Well, read on to know your astrological predictions as per your zodiac sign for October 24. Aries March 21 – April 20Weighing out all outcomes before making an important decision is advised by the Tarot. Cosmic tip: Keep a balance in life, only holding onto those habits which encourage good health, peace of mind and prosperity. Taurus April 21 – May 20Not thinking from the ego saves you a whole lot of embarrassment. Two new contracts are almost on the point of being signed. Continue with the modified diet.Cosmic tip: Be adaptable to change. GeminiMay 21 – June 21Life turns sharply into a new direction, taking you unawares. Take a new project forward by adding onto existing ideas, making it more interesting. Cosmic tip: Read non-fictional and fictional books regularly (or often). Cancer June 22 – July 23A calm state of mind helps make right decisions. A friend feels offended by a comment. Cosmic tip: Don’t go out of your way looking for a difference of opinion. Live and let live. Leo July 24 - Aug 23Pursuing further studies is revealed for some. Be diplomatic when meeting extended family as one person tends to be hyper-reactive. Cosmic tip: Stay away from people who only complain or find fault. Virgo Aug 24 – Sept 23A confidential matter needs thoughtful and sympathetic handling. It’s not worth being upset with someone younger and immature. Do get enough sleep.Cosmic tip: Stand like a rock in matters of principles or ethics. Libra Sept 24 – Oct 22Sometimes conversations veer onto a different level, and the person reacts in an unseemly manner. Cosmic tip: Let go of the past since life has steered you through the worst period in your life too. Scorpio Oct 23 – Nov 22A busy karmic cycle of travel begins from today. Consciously forgiving past hurts is well worth this decision made. Do maintain a healthy diet.Cosmic tip: Place every conceivable effort into a new accomplishment. Sagittarius Nov 23 – Dec 22Though a troubling issue is resolved, but there’s more karma to work through consciously (you know what it is). Be firm, but not rude or nasty.Cosmic tip: Diffuse a tense situation at work. Capricorn Dec 23 – Jan 20Staying within what is known and comfortable is important at this stage in life. Drive carefully, following all traffic safety rules and regulations. Cosmic tip: Keep relationships mutually supportive, giving practical advice when asked. Aquarius Jan 21 – Feb 19Laser sharp concentration is required to fulfil agendas for the day, beginning almost as soon as you enter the office. One relationship still remains stagnant.Cosmic tip: Don’t worry if friends circle has shrunk. Pisces Feb 20 – March 20Those working on multiple projects may have given two appointments for the same time (do check). Being commitment shy enhances the image of being utterly unattainable. Cosmic tip: Make enough time for family.
24 October,2024 12:56 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirley BoseIn a tragic incident, a 28-year-old woman died after falling off from an overcrowded Karjat local train near Mumbai on Tuesday night. The victim, Rutuja Ganesh Jangam, was allegedly unable to maintain her balance owing to the heavy rush of passengers and was pushed out of the train between Ambernath and Badlapur stations. According to the police, the Karjat-bound local train, which departed from Ambernath at 8 pm, was running 25 minutes late. This resulted in severe overcrowding of passengers on board. Eyewitnesses stated that as soon as the train arrived at Ambernath station, a large number of commuters rushed to board the train. Jangam, who was attempting to board the train amid the chaos, lost her grip and got stuck in the doorway. Moments after the train left Ambernath station, she was pushed out of the train owing to the overcrowding, and fell onto the tracks. Fellow passengers immediately alerted authorities, following which Jangam was rushed to Central Hospital in Ulhasnagar for emergency treatment. However, the doctors declared her dead upon arrival.
23 October,2024 09:13 PM IST | Mumbai | Apoorva AgasheThe Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) on Wednesday released its first list of 65 candidates for the Maharashtra Assembly election 2024. The party has nominated Aaditya Thackeray to contest from Worli constituency in central Mumbai from where he is the sitting MLA. महाराष्ट्र विधानसभा निवडणूक २०२४शिवसेना (उद्धव बाळासाहेब ठाकरे) पक्षाची अधिकृत उमेदवारांची पहिली यादी. pic.twitter.com/QAJ01ce7ds — ShivSena - शिवसेना Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (@ShivSenaUBT_) October 23, 2024 Aaditya Thackeray's cousin and Shiv Sena's Yuva Sena leader Varun Sardesai would contest from Bandra (East) seat in the western suburbs of the city. The party has renominated most of its MLAs who stayed with Uddhav Thackeray after the split in the Shiv Sena in 2022. In Thane's Kopri-Panchpakhadi seat, where Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is in the fray, the Shiv Sena (UBT) fielded Kedar Dighe who is the nephew of late Shiv Sena leader Anand Dighe, considered to be CM Shinde's political mentor. In Mahim in central Mumbai, Sena (UBT)'s Mahesh Sawant will take on the Shiv Sena's Sada Sarvankar and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena's Amit Thackeray, son of MNS chief Raj Thackeray, in a triangular contest. The Sena (UBT) fielded former MP Rajan Vichare, who lost the Lok Sabha election earlier this year, from the Thane city assembly seat. Vichare had represented the seat from 2009 until he won the Lok Sabha polls in 2014. Satyajit Patil, who unsuccessfully contested from Hatkanangale Lok Sabha seat, has been fielded from Shahuwadi in Kolhapur district. Some turncoats also found place in the Sena (UBT)'s first list. Former MP Unmesh Patil, who joined the party after the BJP denied him a Lok Sabha ticket, was fielded from Chalisgaon in Jalgaon district. Meanwhile, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance of Congress, the Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP SP), and Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) on Wednesday announced to contest 85 seats each in Maharashtra assembly election 2024 even as deliberations to seal a final seat-sharing pact are still underway. Addressing a press conference, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said consensus has been reached on 270 out of total 288 seats for the November 20 elections. "We will include Samajwadi Party, PWP, CPI(M), CPI, and AAP. Discussions are still on for the remaining seats. We have amicably arrived at a consensus on 270 seats. MVA stands united to defeat the Mahayuti government," Sanjay Raut said, according to the PTI. Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole said the rest of the seats will be left for smaller parties. Earlier, Maharashtra Congress leaders on Wednesday met NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar to break MVA seat-sharing deadlock, reported the PTI. According to the PTI, the Leader of Opposition in the assembly Vijay Wadettiwar of the Congress, MPCC president Nana Patole and Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Balasaheb Thorat met Sharad Pawar at YB Chavan Centre in south Mumbai as part of efforts to iron out differences among MVA constituents for the allocation of seats ahead of the November 20 polls for the 288-member house. Nana Patole said that the talks are still on over four to five assembly seats with competing claims and the matter will be resolved soon. (with PTI inputs)
23 October,2024 08:53 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMaha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) on Wednesday announced to contest 85 seats each in Maharashtra assembly election 2024 even as deliberations to seal a final seat-sharing pact are still underway, reported the PTI. The MVA consists of Congress, NCP (SP), and Shiv Sena (UBT). Addressing a press conference, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said that the consensus has been reached on 270 out of total 288 seats for the November 20 elections. "We will include Samajwadi Party, PWP, CPI(M), CPI, and AAP. Discussions are still on for the remaining seats. We have amicably arrived at a consensus on 270 seats. MVA stands united to defeat the Mahayuti government," Sanjay Raut said, reported the PTI. Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole said, "We've decided that Congress, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) and Shiv Sena (UBT) will contest on 85 seats each and on remaining 18 seats, we will have talks with our alliance parties including Samajwadi Party and by tomorrow they will be cleared. We are contesting the elections as Maha Vikas Aghadi and we will form the government," the ANI reported. #WATCH | Mumbai: Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole says, "We've decided that Congress, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) and Shiv Sena (UBT) will contest on 85 seats each and on remaining 18 seats, we will have talks with our alliance parties including Samajwadi Party and by… pic.twitter.com/tegTusAi6L — ANI (@ANI) October 23, 2024 Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole said the rest of the seats will be left for smaller parties. Earlier, the Congress leaders on Wednesday met NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar to break MVA seat-sharing deadlock, reported the PTI. The hectic last minute parleys among Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) allies to finalize seat-sharing for the Maharashtra Assembly election 2024 continued on Wednesday with Sharad Pawar playing the role of a mediator in resolving differences between the constituents. The Congress, NCP (SP) and Shiv Sena (UBT) are constituents of the opposition bloc MVA. According to the PTI, the Leader of Opposition in the assembly Vijay Wadettiwar of the Congress, MPCC president Nana Patole and Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Balasaheb Thorat met Sharad Pawar at YB Chavan Centre in south Mumbai as part of efforts to iron out differences among MVA constituents for the allocation of seats ahead of the November 20 polls for the 288-member house. (with PTI and ANI inputs)
23 October,2024 07:54 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has suffered a jolt ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly election, as party leader and former minister Laxman Dhobale joined the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) on Wednesday, October 23, in the presence of party Member of Parliament (MP) Supriya Sule.Dhobale, a former guardian minister of Solapur district, was part of the undivided NCP before joining BJP, reported news agency ANI. Earlier, the chief spokesperson of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar-headed NCP, Umesh Patil, resigned from his post and met veteran politician Sharad Pawar at YB Chavan Centre in Mumbai. Patil submitted his resignation to NCP President Sunil Tatkare.Meanwhile, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA)- comprising the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), NCP (SP), and Congress- continue to negotiate the seat-sharing agreements, reported ANI. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, earlier in the day, assured that there is no difference among the alliance over seat sharing."There is no difference of opinion among us. There is no animosity. Everything is going well." Sanjay Raut said.Exuding confidence over MVA's victory in the Maharashtra Assembly election, Raut said that Shiv Sena (UBT) will secure a century of seats as that the country wants them to win 100 seats. Meanwhile, the ruling Mahayuti alliance - comprising BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP - have released their first list of candidates.As the polling date draws near, both Mahayuti and MVA have intensified their preparations.The Maharashtra Assembly election will be held on November 20, with the counting for all the 288 constituencies scheduled to take place three days later.In the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly election, BJP won 105 seats, followed by the Shiv Sena (56), NCP (54) and the Congress (44). In 2014, BJP won 122 seats, while the Shiv Sena won 63 and the Congress 42. Somaiya writes to EC over Abu Azmi's alleged hate speech Former BJP lawmaker Kirit Somaiya wrote a letter to Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar on Wednesday, seeking action against Samajwadi Party (SP) Maharashtra Chief Abu Azmi for using an alleged provocative speech during his recent election campaign.In his letter, Somaiya alleged that Azmi was appealing to the Muslim community to vote on "religious lines" and that he was "exploiting fanaticism" among Muslim voters ahead of the elections. He also noted that the speech given by Azmi, where the SP leader said that when the party has eight MLAs in Maharashtra, no mother will "feed her child milk" to commit atrocities against Muslims."We currently have two MLAs; we need at least six to eight MLAs, and the day we get eight, no one's mother will feed him milk so that he can commit atrocities against Muslims. This is my promise: I can offer my life for this community, but I will not kneel before anyone," Azmi said, as alleged in the letter.Somaiya further appealed to the Election Commission to take appropriate action against the SP leader.Earlier, the Samajwadi Party demanded 12 seats from MVA as part of the alliance for the upcoming polls. (With ANI inputs)
23 October,2024 07:13 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
