A MID-DAY report on the possibility of Mumbai’s AC local trains getting a push with the BJP and Mahayuti government being back in power has triggered a massive debate, with the Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar (NCP-SP) and BJP accusing each other of stalling and delaying the project. The plan to convert Mumbai’s local fleet into AC trains had been stuck due to political opposition from the NCP since August 2022 with the party’s President Sharad Pawar calling for their complete withdrawal from the city and restoration of regular services for working-class commuters after which Central Railway (CR) discontinued ten new services, citing law and order issues. In July 2023, the NCP split into two factions with the group led by Sharad Pawar’s nephew Ajit later being allowed to use the original party’s name and electoral symbol. The Sharad Pawar-led faction came to be known as the NCP-SP. In September 2024, NCP-SP national spokesperson Clyde Crasto said the opposition was to the higher fare structure, not to AC trains per se, challenging Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to get it done. ‘Not opposed to AC trains’ Responding to mid-day’s report, Crasto, on Monday, reiterated his stand in a fresh statement, saying the opposition was always to the enhanced fare structure, not trains themselves and that the party was fighting for Mumbai’s commuters. “The fare of AC trains is more than that of regular locals, which is not acceptable by commuters. We are representing commuters and fighting for them,” he told mid-day. “Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw must walk the talk. A fake narrative was created in the name of Sharad Pawar when [the state government was] asked why Mumbai’s AC local train plans were stranded. Will he implement the plans now that the BJP has the mandate in Maharashtra or find another excuse?” Crasto said. BJP reaction Reacting to this, the BJP on Tuesday lashed back at the NCP-SP, stating that it has a “bad habit” of opposing the BJP-led welfare schemes just because it is in the Opposition. BJP Chief Spokesperson Niranjan Shetty said, “Whenever the BJP introduces welfare schemes, the people’s enthusiastic response to it causes pain in the stomach of the Opposition. But as the life of the people starts getting better with these schemes and BJP’s popularity begins increasing, the Opposition, irritated by their own earlier stand, start making strange and lame excuses.” “As soon as Vaishnaw announced a welfare scheme to make all local trains in Mumbai air-conditioned, Sharad Pawar opposed it. The opposition to a welfare scheme by a veteran leader like Sharad Pawar, who has been a chief minister of Maharashtra and Union minister and has been in politics for a long time, was incomprehensible. In fact, it was expected that he would welcome the scheme. His party should not have politicised a matter related to welfare schemes at least,” Shetty added. “After a huge response from Mumbaikars to the plan announced by the Union railway minister, the sand began to slide under the feet of the NCP and they took a new stance. It is surprising that a leader who has been a Union minister can’t understand that while people are getting the benefit of technology, we can’t avoid its costs. It is not possible to avoid the necessary expenditure of any technology-driven welfare scheme,” he said.
27 November,2024 07:08 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarBeyond the boundary A young boy is fixated on the action across multiple cricket pitches at Oval Maidan in Churchgate. Make way for Koliwadas’ stars Singers Nivedita Hamav and Vishal Chandi will join the contest Following the trend of shows that highlight music talent, Versova’s Koli community has started their own competition, Singing Star, to encourage local voices. “In the past five years, there has been a rise in singing talent in Mumbai’s Koliwadas. But these talents remain confined to our community. The idea behind the online competition is to expose them to the world,” Ravindra Kharde, head of the event, told this diarist. Singers will be assessed on the basis of YouTube likes on their video and later, by a panel of judges. “The competition is open to anyone who can sing Koli and Agri songs and the submissions are open till December 10,” Kharde told us. Chhattisgarhi repast in Mumbai Participants in a discussion at a previous community dinner Mumbaikars have a chance to indulge in the flavours of Ramsama village in Chhattisgarh right here at 3 Art House. The dinner menu, crafted by Sangeeta Toppo (below), reflects her influences from growing up in her village. Toppo moved to Mumbai in 2019. “She was excited when we proposed this idea and created most of the menu. The idea is to unearth flavours and showcase the diversity of Chhattisgarhi cuisine,” said founder Jasmeet Kaur Bagga. This weekend’s spread includes vegetarian dishes like dal dubki, mooli ka saag, and arsa roti. Bagga added, “Every month, we aim to spotlight one culture and collaborate with someone familiar with its cuisine to reveal these rare dishes.” A canvas of Bapu’s life An illustration of Mahatma Gandhi at the Dandi March (right) a portrayal of Gandhi reading the newspaper What better place for a Gandhian to display his love for the Mahatma than his own home? Hyderabad-based veteran artist Shankar Pamarthy, who has created over 150 artworks of the Mahatma since his early experiments in the 1980s, is exhibiting 20 of his best pieces at the Gandhi Film Foundation behind Mani Bhavan till December 3. Shankar Pamarthy “I never sketched with the goal to present my works for the public. As a youngster, I deeply admired Gandhiji’s principles and began creating the sketches as a personal tribute,” Pamarthy revealed to us. The artist’s first ever solo exhibition at the venue features his unique line art and caricature-inspired depictions of Gandhi in landmark events in Indian history, contrasted by moments of quiet solitude that capture the essence of Gandhi’s life. Threading ideas Mithani with an embroidered artwork The new gallery space at Kemps Corner, Milaaya Art, unites the traditional handiwork of artisans and artistic exploration with their opening exhibition, Metamorphosis. “It reflects what Milaaya Art stands for — a transformation of traditional craft into contemporary art,” said founder Gayatri Khanna of the exhibition that will conclude in January. The team of artisans collaborated with South Asian artists such as Dannielle Tegeder and Sharmistha Ray, Viraj Mithani, Sakib Afridi, and Priyantha Udagedara to create works that express the artists’ ambitions. Mithani, whose works were brought to life using a zardozi thread work, added, “My paintings explore many different dichotomies. They challenge the traditional notions of storytelling and representation by both embracing and transgressive narrative forms.” Turn up the volume in Bandra Singer Yanchan and SVDP (right) at a previous gig. Pic Courtesy/Instagram It seems like music venue Bonobo is aiming to amp up its vibe to match the city’s year-ending festive vibe. Starting this week, the Bandra-based venue will launch its new IP, Big Gig, Small Room, with a performance by Tamil-Canadian musician SVDP and Mumbai-based rapper ShiaxZero Chill on Thursday. “The idea was to get bigger artistes to play in smaller rooms. It is a more intimate gig than usual,” shared co-owner Nevil Timbadia (right). He revealed that the idea has been on the backburner since the Australian prog-metal band Karnivool performed an acoustic set at the venue back in 2012. “It was the first time a heavy metal band did an intimate acoustic gig,” he pointed out. For now, the plans are to keep the gigs a quarterly event. “Though the space remains the same, we will try to add a viewing gallery for our patrons, while keeping a minimal entry charge,” Timbadia told this diarist.
27 November,2024 07:07 AM IST | Mumbai | Team mid-dayThree days after the Assembly election results were declared, the stalemate continued over nominating Maharashtra’s chief minister-elect. However, statements made by a minister and information from various quarters indicated that incumbent Eknath Shinde’s wish to continue in the top job would be far from fulfilled and, as expected, his deputy, Devendra Fadnavis, would make a grand comeback in the coveted office, provided the party high command doesn’t throw a surprise as seen in some BJP-ruled states where popular choices were replaced by the low-profile candidates who fitted the party’s social engineering. The delay was punctuated by the BJP and Sena canvassing for their respective choices. Supporters held prayers, conducted havan and visited temples to seek ‘divine intervention’ to make their leader the CM. But what stood out on Tuesday was Union Minister of State for Social Justice and President of RPI Ramdas Athawale’s information that he knew that Fadnavis was the BJP’s only pick for the posthead of the Maharashtra government. A leader close to Fadnavis said a decision was expected soon. Athawale’s advice “It has been decided by the BJP high command that Fadnavis be installed as the next CM. Like Fadnavis, Shinde should also accept the Dy CM’s post, and if he doesn’t want it, he should be a minister in the Union government. Modi-ji and Amit-ji will definitely think about it,” said Athawale in New Delhi on Tuesday. He wished that the matter was resolved as early as possible so that the trust the people had reposed in Mahayuti was not breached. Dy CM Devendra Fadnavis and CM Eknath Shinde at Varsha Bungalow, on the day Assembly poll results were announced. Pic/Shadab Khan Athawale said Shinde had done a good job as the CM and won 57 seats, but the BJP, with many more seats in hand, had decided to have its CM, and it would not entertain requests from allies. He advised Shinde to step back, take up a role other than the CM’s, and get rid of unhappiness. Insiders said every single MLA (BJP or otherwise) who visited Fadnavis in the past two days has pledged support to him. The Ajit Pawar camp is in favour of the ex-CM. It was also learnt that the Shinde camp had reached out to Ajit Pawar’s side to know whether they would back Shinde. Sena reacts Athawale’s statements led to sparks in the Shinde camp. Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Shirsat said that Athawale had no role in deciding the CM and hence his remarks carried no weight. “The three parties will declare their CM candidate at a press conference very soon. Whichever the name, we will abide by the decision,” he said, denying a rift in the Mahayuti. “We support each other. My opinion or any other state leaders’ opinions have no value. It will be a collective decision of Modi, Shah, Shinde, Fadnavis and Pawar,” he said, dismissing a question about whether there would be a repeat of the 2019 post-election MVA-like formation. “We gave a stable government in the past two years because we were natural allies. Those who went with Congress and NCP have met their fate.” BJP state chief cautious State BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule, a staunch Fadnavis supporter, reiterated that his central leadership, the CM and two DyCMs would take a final call [on the CM candidate]. “We will give the strongest ever government,” he said. Asked about Athawale’s remarks, he said he was not responsible for responding to each and every statement made by others. Bawankule’s information that the government formation took time because it was a three-party arrangement that needed to consider everything before making a final decision, gave some idea as to what would be the scene behind the curtains. Power formula revision Along with the CM’s nominee, the alliance would have to revise a formula to share power because the partners’ respective strengths in the Lower House have changed drastically. The arrangement of a CM and two DyCMs will also stay in the new government. The BJP would, naturally, want more share because it has 75 seats more than the Sena, and 91 more than the NCP. If the BJP takes the CMO, its partners would want plum departments that allow public outreach and control over crucial matters. The outgoing government had 29 ministers. The Sena had 10 cabinet ministers including the CM, the BJP had 10 cabinet berths including DyCM, and NCP’s share was nine cabinet berths, including DyCM. The strength of the Maharashtra council of ministers has been capped at 43. Deciding on the respective number of cabinet and minister of state berths depends on the government. For example, the outgoing government didn’t have ministers of state to assist cabinet ministers. Run for home Henceforth, the formation is expected to change, though the Mahayuti partners would be faced with a problem of plenty. There are a large number of aspirants against a limited number of ministerial berths. As a procedure, the number of ministers and departments to be given to the partners will be decided. In addition, the sharing of state-run corporations will also take place now and later. In the outgoing government, CM Shinde didn’t have the home department [Uddhav Thackeray’s Sena didn’t get it in the MVA and Yuti governments]. So, a tussle is expected over home, the most important charge that Fadnavis held as DyCM and also as the CM between 2014 and 2019. As the CM and Uddhav’s minister, Shinde, was in charge of urban development, another contentious department. Fadnavis had kept it with him as the CM. Infrastructure-related housing, energy and public works, rural development, agriculture and social and tribal justice, which have a massive budget and revenue complete the list of most-wanted departments. Ajit Pawar is unlikely to part with the finance department and other good departments his colleagues headed. It is said that whoever doesn’t get the CM post would want more plum departments. This exercise is expected to take some time, but cannot be delayed inordinately ahead of the Winter Session of the state legislature to be held in December in Nagpur. The government will need at least 10-15 experienced cabinet and junior ministers to handle the two-week business, even though the Opposition’s strength has been reduced to a new low. The cabinet could be expanded after the Winter Session. The Sena, BJP and NCP had decided on appointments to the state-run corporations early this year, but it is said the distribution ratio would be revised for the incoming government. Caretaker CM from today On Tuesday, Shinde tendered his resignation to the governor C P Radhakrishnan, who asked to continue as the caretaker CM till the next government is formed. Shinde was accompanied by Fadnavis, Pawar and some ministers. As per convention, the caretaker CM is not supposed to take any major policy decision. Don’t do it: Shinde CM Shinde appealed to the party workers to not assemble in large numbers in Mumbai to pledge support to him. He said on X that the Mahayuti was intact. “Because of their love for me, some people have appealed to you to come to Mumbai. I’m indebted to you and I appeal to you to not gather in Mumbai to show support for me. Please do not gather anywhere, including Varsha [the CM’s residence]. The Mahayuti is formidable for a stronger and able Maharashtra.”
27 November,2024 06:55 AM IST | Mumbai | Dharmendra JoreDo 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 November 27. Aries March 21 – April 20Think issues through carefully, considering all ramifications and outcomes before making up your mind. There’s nothing wrong in keeping information to yourself. Health is good.Cosmic tip: Be independent as much as is possible. Taurus April 21 – May 20Living a new kind of a life is a surprise and delightful when it does manifest. Cosmic tip: Accept bounty of karma when cosmic vibes shower you with new experiences, stability and financial abundance. GeminiMay 21 – June 21Letting go of a habit that causes unhappiness and arguments in the family is wisely given up. This karmic cycle supports diversifying the business.Cosmic tip: Don’t follow well intentioned advice without thinking carefully first. Cancer June 22 – July 23Tension and worry fade away once an ordeal ends. Later you feel it wasn’t so bad. Cosmic tip: Avoid saying things you regret later once it’s too late to do anything about it. Leo July 24 - Aug 23Being burdened with work is a part of the karmic journey; not complaining, dealing with it helps change the karmic cycle quicker.Cosmic tip: Live through constrained circumstances in an amiable and courteous manner. Virgo Aug 24 – Sept 23In-spite-of repeated messages sent, you would rather just move away to a fresh lot of circumstances that promise better environments. Cosmic tip: Realize how lucky you are by doing a bit of soul searching. Libra Sept 24 – Oct 22Relationship with family has gone through a major makeover, and it seems like this is a new life altogether. Legal matters take up time. Cosmic tip: Spend quality time with friends and family. Scorpio Oct 23 – Nov 22Coping with extra work is easier if health is at an optimum level. Singles enter a karmic cycle of meeting a karmic soul-mate. Cosmic tip: Be prepared to take action according to what’s been decided. Sagittarius Nov 23 – Dec 22Prepare very carefully if called for a job interview. Unexpected expenses are slightly surprising. Do get enough sleep.Cosmic tip: Make decisions that have a very small percentage of them haunting you later. Capricorn Dec 23 – Jan 20Some cherished wishes manifest. A challenging project requires mental and creative flexibility. Missing someone is inevitable as you leave on a business trip. Cosmic tip: Let go of past episodes that caused so much stress. Aquarius Jan 21 – Feb 19Considering a job change brings so many dilemmas into focus (keep the decision on hold). Cosmic tip: Don’t try to cover up the fact you are delighted to casually come across someone you admire. Pisces Feb 20 – March 20Wanting to hone work skills, yet afraid to walk a new path is so unlike you. Move ahead with courage and an optimistic attitude. Cosmic tip: Be prepared for life and circumstances to change suddenly.
27 November,2024 02:01 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirley BoseA flat on the 16th floor of a high-rise building caught fire in Kalyan town of Maharashtra's Thane district on Tuesday evening, a civic official said, reported the PTI. The fire broke out in a flat on the 16th floor and quickly spread to 17th and 18th floors of the residential building in Kalyan, said the official. After receiving the information regarding the blaze, firefighters with equipment and vehicles rushed to the spot and launched a fire-fighting operation. The incident took place at around 6.30 pm, the civic authorities and municipal staff reached the spot following the incident to douse the flames, he added. No casualties were reported in the blaze, the official said, according to the PTI. The cause of the blaze was not immediately known, he said, adding that the investigations were underway, as per the PTI. Woman, her children rescued after fire breaks out at society in Noida Meanwhile, in an another incident in Uttar Pradesh, a woman and her two children trapped on the third floor of a society building in Noida were rescued after a fire broke out on the ground floor of the property, the officials said on Tuesday, reported the PTI. No casualties were reported in the incident, they said. According to the news agency, the fire, that broke out late Monday at Mayur Gold Apartment in Balaji Enclave Society of Bisrakh area, destroyed as many as six vehicles parked on the ground floor of the building, they said. Chief Fire Officer (CFO) Pradeep Kumar Choubey said that on Monday night, the blaze was caused by a short circuit on the ground floor of the building. Upon receiving information, four fire tenders were dispatched to the site and the fire brigade officials rushed to the spot. The fire was brought under control after 30 minutes, he said. During the incident, a woman on the third floor with her two children shouted for help, following which fire department personnel and police safely evacuated them, the CFO added, the news agency reported on Tuesday. He said that there were no casualties in the incident. (with PTI inputs)
26 November,2024 09:53 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentThe long walk and detour at T2 Airport Metro Station on the underground Aqua Line 3 may soon be a thing of the past, as a new temporary walkway with direct connectivity to the airport building is being built, an official said on Tuesday. Aseem Kumar Gupta, Principal Secretary of the Urban Development Department of the Maharashtra government, during an inspection today, instructed agencies involved in metro operations to facilitate a temporary walkway above the under-construction Metro Red Line 7 station to provide seamless connectivity and enhance the travel experience for commuters. Gupta, along with officials from MMRC, MMRDA, MMMOCL, and MIAL, visited the CSMIA-T2 metro station today to resolve the issue of shorter and direct connectivity to the airport terminal from the Metro Line 3 station. As of now, T2 has a temporary ramp to the main road on two sides-- one near the Sahar Cargo Complex road and bus stop outside the airport, and the other near the Sahar police station road on the opposite side. However, this is a very long, almost half-a-kilometer walk just to exit or enter the station, which is not advisable for senior citizens. Works on two other Mumbai Metro stations (Red Line 7 and Gold Line 8) are in progress on either side of the temporary walkway. The station also features the tallest escalator in the country at 21 meters.
26 November,2024 09:36 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarThe Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday lashed back at the NCP (SP), stating that it has a "bad habit" of opposing welfare schemes just because it is in the opposition. "It always opposes good things," the party said. "Whenever the BJP introduces welfare schemes, the people's enthusiastic response to them causes pain in the stomach of the opposition. But as the lives of the people start getting better with these schemes and BJP's popularity begins increasing, the opposition, irritated by their own earlier stand, starts making strange and lame excuses," BJP chief spokesperson Niranjan Shetty said. "As soon as Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav announced a welfare scheme to make all local trains in Mumbai air-conditioned, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Chief Sharad Pawar opposed it. The opposition to the welfare scheme by a veteran leader like Sharad Pawar, who has been the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, a Union Minister, and has been in politics for a long time, was incomprehensible. In fact, it was expected that he would welcome the scheme. His party should not have done politics in the matter of welfare schemes, at least," Shetty added. "After a huge response from Mumbaikars to the plan announced by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav, the sand began to slide under the feet of the NCP, and they took a new stance. "We wanted the Mumbai local trains to be air-conditioned without increasing ticket prices," he said. "But don't you find this weird? It is surprising that a leader who has been a Union Minister doesn't understand that while people are getting the benefit of technology, we can't avoid its costs. It is not possible to avoid the necessary expenditure of any technology-driven welfare scheme," Shetty said. A mid-day article on the possibility of Mumbai's AC local trains getting a push now that the BJP and Mahayuti government are in power has firmly triggered a reaction from the NCP's Sharad Pawar on Monday. NCP national spokesperson Clyde Crasto said the opposition was to the higher fare structure, not to AC trains per say, challenging Vaishnav to get it done. "The fare of AC trains is more than the regular local trains, which is not acceptable to the commuters. We are representing commuters and fighting for them," he told mid-day. "Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw must walk the talk. A fake narrative was created in the name of Sharad Pawar, when asked why Mumbai’s AC local train plans were stranded. Will he implement the plans now that the BJP has the mandate in Maharashtra? Or will he find another excuse?" Crasto said.
26 November,2024 09:26 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarThe Western Railway on Tuesday, while sharing Mumbai local train updates, said that it will introduce 13 more AC local train services from November 27. The addition of services will bring the total number of AC local services from 96 to 109, the Western Railway said. It said, looking at the popularity and growing demand by the commuters, Western Railway has decided to increase the number of AC local services over Mumbai Suburban section with effect from Wednesday, 27th November, 2024. With the introduction of 13 new AC services, the total number of AC services will now increase from 96 to 109 on Weekdays and from 52 to 65 on Saturdays and Sundays. According to a press release issued by Vineet Abhishek – Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, there has been a substantial rise in the number of commuters traveling by AC local trains. Hence, for the benefit of passengers and to ease the crowd, 13 more AC services are being augmented over WR by replacing existing non AC 12 car services. These services will run as AC services on all days of the week. It said, there will be no change in the total number of services, i.e. the count of local services is 1406 including the 109 AC local train services. On 27th November, 2024, out of these newly introduced AC Locals, the first local service will run from Churchgate at 12:34 hrs and thereafter, the regular run of all the newly introduced AC locals will run as per the Time Table below. Vineet further stated that, out of the additional 13 services being introduced, 6 services are in UP direction and 7 services are in down direction. In the up direction, there are 2 services each between Virar – Churchgate and Bhayandar – Churchgate and one service each between Virar – Bandra and Bhayandar – Andheri. Similarly, in the down direction, there are two services between Churchgate – Virar, one service each between Churchgate – Bhayandar, Andheri – Virar, Bandra – Bhayandar, Mahalaxmi – Borivali and Borivali – Bhayandar. "In the morning peak hour, Bhayandar-Churchgate at 8:34 am, this will be benificial to the commutters who faced problem during peak hour. Another similar service will be run from Andheri," said the railway PRO.
26 November,2024 07:57 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarA heartwarming story of selflessness and generosity emerged from Dr. L. H. Hiranandani Hospital in Powai, where a 47-year-old man, declared brain stem dead after a brain hemorrhage, became an organ donor, giving three individuals a second chance at life. The man from Ghatkopar was admitted with a brain hemorrhage in an unconscious state to Dr. L. H. Hiranandani Hospital in Powai on 22nd November. In spite of numerous efforts by doctors to revive him, the patient was declared brain stem dead on the evening of 24th November. The hospital approached and requested his family to donate his vital organs to save other individuals' lives. After about 28 hours, the family gave their consent for the same. Thereafter, in coordination with ZTCC and following established protocols, the organs were harvested. According to ZTCC guidelines, the organs were allocated as follows: the lungs were sent to KIMS Hospital in Hyderabad, one kidney to a needy patient at L. H. Hiranandani Hospital, and the other kidney to Wockhardt Hospital in Mira Road. (The liver and heart were not suitable for donation.) The selfless act of this 47-year-old man has given a new lease of life to three individuals. "To honor and acknowledge the donor and his family's generosity, L. H. Hiranandani Hospital on bid farewell to the donor's body with a solemn salute from its management and staff," said Dr. Arpita Dwivedy, Head of the Critical Care Unit at Dr. L. H. Hiranandani Hospital, Powai.
26 November,2024 07:01 PM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentThe suspense over Maharashtra CM on Tuesday continued as sources in the BJP said that the party will only announce candidate once it decides on portfolio allocations, the PTI reported. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is taking a measured approach regarding the announcement of its chief ministerial candidate for Maharashtra, the party will wait until the allocation of ministerial portfolios in the new state government is finalised before naming its candidate, reported news agency PTI on Tuesday. The BJP emerged victorious after the Maharashtra assembly election result was announced on November 23. The party won 132 seats, while its coalition partners, the Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), secured 57 and 41 seats, respectively. Despite the BJP's impressive win, there seems to be a lack of consensus among the coalition partners about who should assume the chief minister's office. Following Eknath Shinde's resignation as chief minister, the Governor has appointed him to continue in a caretaker capacity. This development has delayed the decision-making process of the next chief minister. "The central leadership is in no hurry to name a candidate for the chief minister's post. We have secured a decisive mandate, and the priority now is to work out a comprehensive plan for government formation. That includes finalising ministerial portfolios and distribution of key posts such as district guardian ministers," stated PTI quoting a state BJP leader who requested anonymity. This cautious approach aims to ensure unity within the Mahayuti coalition and prevent any discord that could arise from portfolio distribution. Elaborating, another BJP insider cited the case of Mahendra Thorave, an MLA from Raigad district who had opposed the appointment of NCP's Aditi Tatkare as district guardian minister earlier this year, owing to the long-standing local rivalry, stated PTI. "We want to address such issues now, ensuring that everyone is on the same page before moving forward," he said. With the state's 288-member assembly, a Maharashtra cabinet can have a maximum of 43 ministers, both cabinet and junior. There are 36 districts, and for a chief minister it becomes imperative that each of them gets representation, stated PTI. "With the ongoing parliamentary session, the central leadership is stretched thin, holding meetings with both Maharashtra BJP leaders and allies while also handling floor management in Parliament," said a BJP leader. Regarding the announcement of the chief minister candidate, the leader said, "The BJP central body will appoint an observer or a team of observers who will visit Mumbai. They will meet the MLAs and senior party functionaries to finalise the cabinet formula. Once that is done, they will announce the party's choice for the leader of the legislative wing," PTI stated. Former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is viewed as a strong contender for the position, especially after his prominent role in the election campaign. However, Shiv Sena leaders have expressed their preference for Shinde to remain in the role, indicating ongoing negotiations. Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party, which is the third player in Mahayuti, is yet to open its cards regarding the chief minister candidate. Recently senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal publicly stated that Fadnavis was acceptable to them. "This has strengthened the calls from several BJP leaders, including newly-elected MLAs, that Fadnavis should be the next CM," the leader told PTI However, the BJP remains careful, as the final decision will be made only after the distributions of cabinet portfolios. "There is no rush. Once the cabinet formula is finalised, we will announce the candidate," said the BJP leader. (With inputs from PTI)
26 November,2024 05:39 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSenior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday expressed grief over a student's death in Nagpur school bus accident and said that he was ensuring that the injured in the incident are getting best treatment at hospital. In a post on X, Devendra Fadnavis wrote, "An unfortunate accident occurred in a vehicle during a trip to Saraswati High School in Nagpur. It is very sad that one student died. We share in the grief of those families. Some students were injured in the accident, one of them is in critical condition. The injured are being treated at the AIIMS hospital and are being given all possible help by the district administration. The Collector visited AIIMS and interacted with the parents. I am constantly in touch with him." नागपुरातील सरस्वती हायस्कूलच्या सहलीतील वाहनाचा एक दुर्दैवी अपघात झाला. त्यात एका विद्यार्थिनीचा मृत्यू झाला, हे अतिशय दुःखद आहे. त्या कुटुंबियांच्या दुःखात आम्ही सहभागी आहोत.या अपघातात काही विद्यार्थी जखमी झाले, त्यातील एकाची प्रकृती गंभीर आहे. जखमींवर एम्स रुग्णालयात उपचार… — Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) November 26, 2024 A tragic accident occurred involving a vehicle carrying students from Saraswati High School in Nagpur. In this unfortunate incident, one student lost his life. A student was killed and several students and teachers were injured as the bus carrying them to a picnic spot overturned on Tuesday morning, police said. The accident took place when students and teachers of Saraswati High School in Shankar Nagar area in Nagpur were heading for a picnic spot in neighbouring Wardha district in five buses. One of the buses, with some 50 persons on board, overturned near Deoli Pendhari village on Hingani Road in a hilly section on the outskirts of the city, said an official of Hingna police station. The deceased boy was a Class 7 student, he said, without disclosing the name. A girl and a teacher sustained severe injuries and were rushed to the All India Institute Of Medical Sciences, Nagpur, while others were taken to a nearby rural hospital, as per the PTI. Several others were injured in the accident. The injured students are receiving treatment at the AIIMS Hospital, and the district administration is providing all possible assistance. The District Collector on Tuesday also visited the hospital to meet with the parents and offer support. Fadnavis said that he is in continuous contact with the concerned authorities to ensure the students receive the best care possible. The police said that the investigation is underway to determine the cause of the accident, as per the news agency. (with PTI inputs)
26 November,2024 04:57 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
