Former cricketer and politician Navjot Singh Sidhu recently claimed that a special diet helped his wife, Navjot Kaur Sidhu, beat stage 4 cancer. However, experts, including those from Tata Memorial Hospital, have dismissed these claims as misleading and unscientific. At a press conference, Sidhu shared his wife’s journey, explaining that she followed a strict diet that included lemon water, raw turmeric, apple cider vinegar, neem leaves, tulsi, and a mix of citrus fruits, vegetable juices, and nuts. He said she cut out sugar and carbs, which he believes "starved the cancer." He attributed her recovery, despite being given only a 3 per cent chance of survival, to these dietary changes. Reacting to the viral video of Sidhu’s statement, Tata Memorial Hospital released a detailed clarification, urging people not to believe such unproven remedies. Their statement said, “Parts of the video imply that avoiding dairy and sugar, and consuming turmeric and neem, cured her cancer. These statements have no high-quality evidence to support them. While research is ongoing, there is no clinical data currently to recommend these as anti-cancer agents.” Issued in public interest pic.twitter.com/gMuCTZmwzZ — Pramesh CS (@cspramesh) November 23, 2024 They further emphasised that cancer treatment should not be delayed in favour of unproven remedies. Proven methods such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy remain the only effective ways to treat cancer. The hospital also highlighted that cancer is curable if detected early, urging patients to consult cancer specialists. Experts in the field have backed Tata Memorial’s stance. Dr Cyric Abbey Philips, a prominent liver specialist, stated, “There is no evidence that any specific diet, herb, or Ayurvedic remedy can cure cancer. Doctors give cautious survival predictions to prepare patients, but they always strive to offer the best treatment possible.” Dr Pramesh CS, director of Tata Memorial Hospital, also dismissed the claims, calling them “unscientific and baseless.” He clarified that Navjot Kaur’s recovery was due to evidence-based treatments like surgery and chemotherapy, not dietary changes. PSA: Please don't believe and get fooled by these statements regardless of who it comes from. These are unscientific and baseless recommendations. She got surgery and chemotherapy that were evidence based which is what made her 🤞cancer-free. Not the haldi, neem etc pic.twitter.com/7gDgN1TzZ8 — Pramesh CS (@cspramesh) November 22, 2024 Stage 4 cancer is a severe form of the disease, often with limited chances of recovery. While it is not always terminal, treatment focuses on controlling the disease rather than curing it. Experts have cautioned against promoting false hope through unverified methods, as it could lead patients to delay essential treatments. Sidhu’s claims have sparked controversy, but medical professionals continue to stress the importance of relying on evidence-based treatments to combat cancer effectively.
23 November,2024 03:58 PM IST | Mumbai | Anisha ShrivastavaSenior Maharashtra BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday said that the leaders of the Mahayuti alliance will make the final decision on Maharashtra CM, as the BJP-led coalition is on track for a big victory. Fadnavis dismissed any claims of a dispute over the Chief Minister's position as the Maharashtra Assembly election results 2024 showed Mahayuti getting majority. Speaking to reporters, Devendra Fadnavis said the election results show strong support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and thanked women voters. He said that the opposition's attempts to spread false narratives and divide voters based on religion had been defeated by the people. 🕒 2.55pm | 23-11-2024📍Mumbai.LIVE | Media interaction#Maharashtra #Mumbai https://t.co/NslZENZ9HX — Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) November 23, 2024 Devendra Fadnavis also mentioned that he was able to break through the opposition's strategy with the support of voters, the BJP team, and party leaders. Despite some calls for him to become the next Chief Minister, he made it clear that there was no disagreement over the CM post within the Mahayuti alliance. The Mahayuti comprises of the BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Fadnavis further stated that the people of Maharashtra have shown that the party led by Eknath Shinde is the true Shiv Sena of Balasaheb Thackeray. Maharashtra Election 2024 results Live According to the early election trends, the Mahayuti has been gaining the majority in the Maharashtra Assembly election 2024. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah called Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and congratulated him on the party's impressive performance in the Maharashtra polls. The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance is on course to retain power in Maharashtra, and was leading in 222 of the 288 assembly seats, as per the latest figures by the Election Commission almost mid-way through the counting process in the November 20 elections. The BJP has so far won three seats and was leading in 124 others. Sarita Fadnavis, mother of Devendra Fadnavis, expressed happiness over Mahayuti's performance. "I never believed in any rumours and knew that he (Devendra) would do good. The party's success can be attributed to the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme and Devedra's efforts and popularity...He is very intelligent, smart and courageous and that has brought him this success," she said, reported the PTI.
23 November,2024 03:54 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIn a significant incident on Saturday around 1 pm, eight commuters who were standing at the door of a CSMT-bound fast local train sustained leg injuries when a metal object struck them. The incident occurred between Nahur and Bhandup railway stations. Some of the injured commuters, who were rushed to Rajawadi Hospital in Ghatkopar (East), told the treating doctors that a falling pole struck them. However, the Government Railway Control Room and Kurla Railway Police remained unsure about the exact cause of the mishap. They did confirm, however, that the commuters had sustained injuries. "We do not have any information about a pole falling incident between Nahur and Bhandup stations. You can contact the Kurla GRP as it falls under their jurisdiction," said a duty constable at the GRP control room. A lady policewoman at the Kurla Railway Police Station confirmed the injuries sustained by commuters traveling in the CSMT-bound fast local train. She said, "Our Sub-Inspector Bhandwalkar has gone to Rajawadi Hospital to record the statements of the injured. Only then will we know the exact reason behind the incident." When contacted, PSI T.H. Bhandwalkar stated that most of the injured commuters had boarded the fast local from Dombivli railway station at 12:17 p.m. and were standing at the entrance of the train. Between Nahur and Bhandup, a flying metal object or some fencing struck them in their legs. Unfortunately, no one is able to provide a clear explanation of what exactly happened. "We got them to the hospital once the train reached Ghatkopar railway station. We are currently investigating the case," Bhandwalkar said. Confirming the same, a senior doctor at the civic-run Rajawadi Hospital said, "The injured are vitally stable and have sustained injuries to their ankles and feet. They have been admitted, and X-rays are being taken." While Central Railway confirmed the incident, Chief public relations officer Dr Swapnil Nila said that no work was on in the section and the door of a signal cabin had hit a few commuters as of now there are reports of one or two injured. (With inputs from Rajendra B. Aklekar)
23 November,2024 03:43 PM IST | Mumbai | Vinod Kumar MenonFrom the Anushakti Nagar assembly constituency, Bollywood actress Swara Bhasker, who is also the wife of candidate Fahad Ahmed, has raised questions about the EVMs. Swara Bhasker, wife of NCP candidate Fahad Ahmed, led by Sharad Pawar, has made a major allegation. She claims that the counting has been ongoing since morning, and when the machines were opened, the EVMs were found to be 99 percent charged. She questioned how this is possible. For context, Fahad is trailing after 19 rounds of voting, while Nawab Malik’s daughter Sana Malik is leading. Swara Bhasker raises serious allegations Swara Bhasker took to social media and tweeted, “How can EVM machines still be 99% charged even after a whole day of voting? The Election Commission must answer. In the Anushakti Nagar assembly constituency, as soon as these 99% charged machines were opened, BJP-backed NCP started getting votes. How is this possible?” In #AnushaktiNagar vidhaan sabha after a steady lead by @FahadZirarAhmad of NCP-SP.. round 17, 18, 19 suddenly 99% battery charger EVMs are opened and BJP supported NCP-Ajit Pawar candidate takes lead. How can machines that have been voted on ALL day long have 99% charged… https://t.co/GknxDWOb5v — Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) November 23, 2024 Fahad’s statement Addressing the matter, Fahad Ahmed said that the EVMs were 99 percent charged when they were opened. He added, “My competitor was not present here in the morning. Perhaps they knew what was about to happen. We came here at 5 AM.” He further claimed, “Wherever these specific EVMs are being opened, Sana Malik is leading by double or triple the margin. This is very concerning, and I want an investigation into this matter.” After round 16 and a steady lead in all rounds.. EVM machines that were 99% charged were opened and BJP supported NCP Ajit Pawar candidate took a lead .. @ECISVEEP @SpokespersonECI this is rank manipulation. We demand a recount of rounds 16, 17, 18 and 19. pic.twitter.com/Z2JuUyIQqc — Fahad Ahmad (@FahadZirarAhmad) November 23, 2024 Sana Malik’s lead According to reports, there is a contest between NCP’s Fahad Ahmed and BJP-backed NCP candidate Sana Malik. Initially, Fahad was leading, but Sana began leading during the final rounds of voting. After 19 rounds of voting, Sana Malik is ahead by 3,378 votes, as per the Election Commission's website. The NDA has achieved a sweeping victory in Maharashtra, currently leading in 225 out of the 288 seats in the Assembly. In stark contrast, the Maha Vikas Aghadi, which had secured 30 of the 48 Lok Sabha seats just a month ago, is trailing far behind with only 56 seats in the state elections. Sharad Pawar’s party, which contested 87 seats, is ahead in just 13 constituencies.
23 November,2024 03:12 PM IST | Mumbai | Anisha ShrivastavaAmid counting of votes for Maharashtra elections 2024, Shiv Sena candidate from Andheri East Murji Patel on Saturday expressed confidence that he would win Andheri East with a margin of more than 20,000 votes, reported ANI. Patel said, "I had the darshan of Ganpati bappa just now. I prayed to Him for Mahayuti Government in Maharashtra once again. I prayed to him for his blessings...I will win Andheri East with a margin of more than 20,000 votes. In last 10 years, the people of Andheri have been hassled. No work was done," reported ANI. The Andheri East Assembly constituency went to polls on November 20. He faces tough contest from Rutuja Ramesh Latke from Shiv Sena (UBT). In the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly elections, Ramesh Latke won in this seat, reported ANI. Counting began at 8 am on Saturday for the 2024 Jharkhand and Maharashtra Assembly Elections, along with bypoll results from 15 states. The counting, which will decide the fate of the 288 seats in Maharashtra and 81 in Jharkhand, is expected to reveal trends in the first few hours. In Maharashtra, the polling for the Legislative Assembly was held on Wednesday, with a turnout of over 66 percent, surpassing the 61 percent recorded in the 2019 elections. The Mahayuti alliance, which includes the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP, is in a tough contest with the MVA alliance consisting of Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (SP). Both alliances view the increased voter turnout as a sign of support for their respective campaigns. State Chief Electoral Officer S Chockalingam praised efforts to increase voter participation, especially in Mumbai. "The Election Commission of India gave significant focus, attention, and time to Maharashtra this time. Each strategy was conceptualised and implemented with high precision. This resulted in a significant addition to the voter list between the Parliament election and the current election. Efforts were made to ease voting, especially in places like Mumbai, where there were challenges during the Parliament elections. This time, everyone appreciated the arrangements," he said. He also thanked nearly 6 lakh officials who ensured smooth voting, reported ANI. The bypolls were held in 48 assembly seats and two Lok Sabha seats across 15 states, with notable contests in Uttar Pradesh and Wayanad, Kerala, where Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra made her electoral debut. (With inputs from ANI)
23 November,2024 02:34 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA truck was gutted after it caught fire on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway in Maharashtra's Palghar district, officials said on Saturday, reported news agency PTI. Nobody was injured in the incident that took place on Friday evening on a bridge near Mahalaxmi temple in Dahanu, they said. Immediately after noticing flames, the driver of the truck jumped to safety. He and the local police tried to put out the fire, but the truck was completely gutted, an official said, reported PTI. The cause of the fire is not yet known, he said, adding that traffic on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway was affected for a couple of hours after the incident, reported PTI. 14 injured as tempo hits bus on Mumbai-Pune Expressway Fourteen persons were injured after a tempo hit a private bus on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway in Maharashtra's Raigad district in the early hours of November 21, a police official said. The incident took place at around 3 am when the bus carrying 11 persons was on way to Mumbai from Sangola. The brakes of a tempo transporting chickens failed following which the vehicle hit the bus from behind, the official said. The bus veered off the highway, overturned and fell into a 20-foot-deep ditch on the roadside, he said. Eleven persons onboard the bus, including the driver, and three tempo occupants were injured, the official said. The bus passengers were later rescued. They were treated for minor injuries at a civic-run hospital in Khopoli and later allowed to go. The three tempo occupants received serious injuries. They were undergoing treatment at the MGM Hospital in Kalamboli near Panvel, the official said. The Khopoli police were conducting a probe into the incident, the official added. (With inputs from PTI)
23 November,2024 02:03 PM IST | Palghar | mid-day online correspondentAs the Mahayuti alliance approaches a commanding victory in the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections, incumbent Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has emphasised that the decision regarding the Chief Ministerial candidate will be a collective one, made by all the parties in the alliance once the final results are declared on Saturday. Shinde, who is leading from his constituency, thanked party workers and expressed gratitude to the voters. "Let the final results come in... Once the results are out, just as we fought the elections together, all three parties will sit together and take a decision on who will be the CM," he said. Speaking about the alliance's expected victory, he added, "I thank the voters of Maharashtra. This is a landslide victory. I had said earlier that Mahayuti would secure a massive win. I am thankful to all sections of society and the workers of the Mahayuti parties." At his residence in Thane, celebrations erupted as Shiv Sena workers cheered and bouquets arrived in celebration. Shinde’s son, Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde, joined party members in celebrating their anticipated success. "As we had expected, we have secured impressive numbers. I thank all the voters who supported Mahayuti and gave us this landslide victory," said Shrikant Shinde. By 1:00 PM, Mahayuti had crossed the crucial majority threshold, securing victory in several constituencies and leading in more than 200 seats. Sweets were brought to the residence of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis, and BJP’s Mumbai office was filled with jubilation, as party workers anticipated a resounding victory. BJP leader Vikas Pathak commented on the Election Commission of India (ECI) trends, stating, "We were expecting over 160 seats for Mahayuti, and that is exactly how it is shaping up. The lead could increase further. This year has been significant for BJP, with the party crossing 100 seats, and a Mahayuti Chief Minister is set to take office." Despite the celebrations, Pathak acknowledged that the final celebrations would only begin once the conclusive results are out and senior leaders like Devendra Fadnavis and possibly Maharashtra BJP Chief Pawan Bawankule join the festivities. In Baramati, where Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is leading by 15,382 votes, celebrations were also underway. Supporters were seen bursting crackers in celebration, with Pawar and other NCP leaders joining in the festivities. Reacting to the ongoing results, Congress leader Supriya Shrinate admitted that the results had not met the party’s expectations. "There is no doubt we could have done better. Our campaign was strong, but perhaps the public expects more from us, and we will strive to meet their expectations," she said. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena UBT leader Sanjay Raut dismissed the results, claiming they did not reflect the true sentiments of the people of Maharashtra. His comments were sharply criticised by BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla, who defended Mahayuti's victory. "When anyone loses, they start making excuses for their defeat. In Maharashtra, we have worked for the upliftment of the poor, women, and farmers. Today, a government under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi will form with a huge majority," he asserted. With the celebrations continuing across Maharashtra, all eyes will now be on the final decision regarding who will assume the post of Chief Minister. (With inputs from ANI)
23 November,2024 01:51 PM IST | MumbaiMaharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday lauded the performance of the ruling Mahayuti alliance in the state assembly polls, attributing its success to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the popular campaign slogan “ek hai toh safe hai.” As per PTI reports, Fadnavis, who is contesting from the Nagpur South West assembly constituency, is leading by a significant margin of 19,437 votes, as per Election Commission data available at 1pm. In a post shared on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Fadnavis wrote, “‘Ek hai toh safe hai’ and ‘Modi hai toh mumkin hai.’ These slogans symbolise the trust people have in PM Modi's leadership and the Mahayuti alliance." The slogan "ek hai toh safe hai," heavily emphasised during Modi’s campaign speeches, resonated with voters and became a recurring theme of the electoral discourse, PTI notes. The Mahayuti alliance, comprising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction, and Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), has emerged as the frontrunner in the polls. As per PTI updates, the alliance is leading in more than 210 of the 288 assembly constituencies, setting the stage for a decisive mandate in favour of the ruling coalition. Polling for the assembly elections was conducted on Wednesday, and the counting of votes commenced early Saturday morning at 8am. The Election Commission data indicates a strong voter turnout in key constituencies, further strengthening the Mahayuti’s performance. The slogan “Modi hai toh mumkin hai,” which has been a cornerstone of the BJP’s campaign strategy nationally, also found significant traction in Maharashtra. The Mahayuti leaders frequently highlighted the Centre’s welfare policies and infrastructure projects, which, as per PTI, played a pivotal role in consolidating voter support. This electoral outcome is being viewed as a significant endorsement of the Mahayuti's governance model in the state. Meanwhile, the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance, comprising the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), Sharad Pawar’s NCP faction, and Congress, trails significantly in the ongoing vote count. As Maharashtra awaits the formal announcement of results, political analysts predict a smooth transition for the ruling alliance to form the next government, with decisions on key leadership positions likely to be taken soon. The BJP is expected to hold its legislative party meeting on 25th November, followed by an oath-taking ceremony for the new government on the 26th, sources told PTI. This landslide victory reaffirms the Mahayuti’s stronghold in Maharashtra’s political landscape. (With inputs from PTI)
23 November,2024 01:29 PM IST | MumbaiThe Maharashtra Assembly elections have delivered a resounding victory for the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance, with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde emerging as a dominant force in the state’s political landscape. Leading in over 204 of the 288 constituencies, the alliance appears set to retain power, while the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) struggles to stay afloat with leads in just 47 seats, according to the Election Commission’s latest updates. Shinde’s Shiv Sena faction has significantly outpaced Uddhav Thackeray’s camp, with trends showing his party leading in 55 constituencies compared to Uddhav’s 20. Despite being early results, the numbers suggest that Shinde has solidified his claim as the leader of the “real Shiv Sena,” further bolstering his position as a political heavyweight. Decisive blow to Uddhav For Uddhav Thackeray, this election was more than just a political contest — it was a battle to secure his faction’s claim to the Shiv Sena’s legacy. However, Shinde’s faction has outperformed Uddhav’s Shiv Sena (UBT) with an impressive strike rate, contesting only 80 seats and gaining a substantial lead. In contrast, Uddhav’s group fielded candidates in 92 constituencies but has failed to match Shinde’s dominance. This assembly election outcome follows a similar pattern seen in the Lok Sabha polls earlier this year, where Shinde’s Sena won 7 out of 15 contested seats, outperforming Uddhav’s 9 wins from 21 constituencies. The latest trends reinforce Shinde’s position as the custodian of the Shiv Sena’s ideological core, while Uddhav’s dependence on MVA allies appears to have alienated the party’s traditional voter base. Winning the grassroots battle Throughout the campaign, Shinde cast himself as the leader supported by the “true Shiv Sainiks.” His rallies frequently underscored his faction’s connection to the Sena’s grassroots ideology, which he claimed had been diluted under Uddhav’s leadership. In a notable rally at Vaijapur, Shinde derided Uddhav’s “flaming torch” election symbol, calling it a force of division. “They call it revolutionary, but it only sets homes ablaze,” Shinde said, painting his rival as out of touch with the party’s foundational principles. Shinde’s commitment to protecting the Sena’s Hindutva roots and appealing to its traditional voter base resonated strongly with the electorate, cementing his dominance. Mahayuti’s historic performance The Mahayuti alliance, comprising the BJP, Shinde’s Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction, is poised for a historic victory. The BJP has led the charge, dominating in over 120 constituencies — a significant improvement from its 2019 tally of 105 seats. Meanwhile, Ajit Pawar’s faction has shown marked progress, leading in 35 seats and outperforming its dismal Lok Sabha performance earlier this year, when it secured just one seat. This formidable alliance has left the opposition MVA, a coalition of Uddhav’s Shiv Sena, Congress, and Sharad Pawar’s NCP, trailing far behind. With leads in only about 70 constituencies, the MVA has struggled to mount a credible challenge. Eknath Shinde’s triumph in this election is not just a personal victory but a turning point in Maharashtra’s political narrative. By outperforming his rivals and consolidating his party’s grassroots base, Shinde has claimed the mantle of the Shiv Sena’s true heir, leaving Uddhav’s faction to confront its existential crisis. As the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance secures a historic win, Maharashtra’s political landscape has undergone a seismic shift, with Shinde firmly entrenched as a leader of both conviction and consequence.
23 November,2024 01:12 PM IST | MumbaiThe Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is likely to convene the Maharashtra Legislative Party meeting on November 25, with the oath-taking ceremony for the new government set to take place on November 26, as per sources. A larger gathering of the Yuti alliance is expected to be held around the same time. This development follows the impressive performance of the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance in the state elections, which has now crossed the crucial majority threshold. According to the Election Commission data released around 11 am, the alliance is currently leading in 220 seats and appears poised for a landslide victory. Celebrations have already begun at the BJP office in Mumbai, with party members and supporters jubilant over the results. Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde expressed his satisfaction with the results, saying, "As we had expected, we have got very good numbers. I thank all the voters who stood behind Mahayuti and gave this landslide victory." Meanwhile, Shiv Sena leader Naresh Mhaske credited the alliance’s success to the leadership of Eknath Shinde, stating, "The people have shown their faith in Mahayuti, and the results clearly reflect that Eknath Shinde is the one capable of leading Balasaheb Thackeray’s Shiv Sena." According to the initial results, the Mahayuti alliance is leading in 220 seats, with the BJP securing 128 seats, taking the lead in Maharashtra. The Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena follows closely behind with 55 seats. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), led by Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, is leading in 35 seats, while the Rashtriya Yuva Swabhiman Party (RSHYVSWBHM) is leading in 2 seats. On the other hand, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance is trailing with a lead in just 51 seats. The Indian National Congress (INC), part of the MVA, is leading in 20 seats, with Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) in the lead in 16 seats. The NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar faction) is leading in 13 seats, while the Samajwadi Party (SP) has gained a lead in 2 seats. The All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), Jan Surajya Shakti (JSS), and Peasants and Workers Party of India (PWPI) have each secured a lead in 2 seats. Minor parties, including Swatantra Bharat Paksha (STBP), Indian Secular Largest Assembly of Maharashtra (DISECL), CPI(M), Bahujan Vikas Aaghadi (BVA), and Rajarshi Shahu Vikas Aghadi (RSVA), are leading in one seat each. Additionally, five independent candidates (IND) are leading in their respective constituencies. As celebrations continue among the Sena-BJP-NCP alliance, all eyes are now on the appointment of the new Chief Minister of Maharashtra. According to ANI, speculation is rife over who will ultimately assume the state's top post following this resounding victory.
23 November,2024 01:07 PM IST | MumbaiFrom his humble beginnings as a corporator to becoming Maharashtra’s youngest mayor and later its first BJP chief minister, Devendra Fadnavis’ political ascent has been one of steady determination. As the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance inches closer to a sweeping victory in the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections, PTI reports that the 54-year-old leader is poised to take up the state’s top post for the third time. In a state traditionally dominated by Maratha leaders, Fadnavis stands out as a Brahmin leader with deep ties to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). He is only the second Brahmin, after Shiv Sena’s Manohar Joshi, to have held the chief ministerial position in Maharashtra. Fadnavis first gained prominence during the 2014 assembly elections, where he emerged as a clear frontrunner for the chief minister’s role, enjoying the confidence of both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP stalwart Amit Shah. Modi himself praised him as "Nagpur's gift to the country" during the campaign. Son of the late Gangadhar Fadnavis, a Jan Sangh leader and political mentor to Nitin Gadkari, Fadnavis entered politics through the Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the RSS’s student wing, in 1989. By 22, he became a corporator in Nagpur and, at 27, the city’s youngest mayor. His political journey saw him winning his first assembly election in 1999 and retaining his Nagpur South West seat in subsequent elections. Fadnavis’ clean image and sharp political acumen set him apart. During his first term as chief minister (2014–2019), he was credited with effective governance and expedited infrastructure projects, particularly in urban areas. However, his tenure also faced significant challenges, including the Maratha community’s agitation for reservations and farmer protests over loan waivers. The 2019 elections marked a turning point. After Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray broke ties with the BJP over the chief ministerial post, Fadnavis’ slogan "Mee punha yein" (I will come back) faced its biggest test. Although he formed a short-lived government with NCP leader Ajit Pawar, it collapsed within 72 hours. Subsequently, Uddhav Thackeray became chief minister, supported by the NCP and Congress. Fadnavis returned to prominence in 2022 when Eknath Shinde led a rebellion within the Shiv Sena, leading to Thackeray’s resignation. While many expected Fadnavis to reclaim the chief ministership, the BJP high command instead appointed Shinde to the role, with Fadnavis as his deputy. PTI reports that his acceptance of the role highlighted his loyalty to the party and its leadership. Despite setbacks, Fadnavis demonstrated resilience, notably playing a key role in the BJP-Shinde faction’s seat-sharing strategy after the party’s poor showing in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. PTI reports that the assembly election results now signal a resounding endorsement of his leadership and political strategy. As Maharashtra braces for another term under BJP leadership, Fadnavis’ journey underscores his adaptability and ability to navigate the state’s complex political landscape. His third tenure, if confirmed, will be watched closely for his ability to deliver on governance and manage Maharashtra’s evolving challenges. (With inputs from PTI)
23 November,2024 12:56 PM IST | MumbaiADVERTISEMENT
