Team Thackeray Won't Win More Than 50 Seats In Mumbai Civic Body Polls: BJP

The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena won't be able to win more than 50 seats in the next elections to the Mumbai civic body, city BJP president Ashish Shelar claimed on Sunday. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has 227 seats.

Addressing a gathering of top leaders of BJP's Mumbai unit, including legislators and senior functionaries, Ashish Shelar said people have rejected the Thackeray camp.

"The Shiv Sena was in power in BMC for a long time because of the BJP's support. In the next elections of the BMC, Thackeray camp would not be able to cross 50 seats (out of 227)," Mr Shelar said.

The Shiv Sena (undivided) has ruled the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, said to be the richest civic body in the country, for more than 30 years. In the 2017 BMC elections, Shiv Sena won 84 seats while BJP finished second with a difference of just two seats.

"In 1997, Shiv Sena had 103 corporators in BMC. This number came down to 97 and 84, respectively, in the subsequent elections. In 2012, Shiv Sena could bag only 75 seats, but it won 84 seats again (in 2017) because the party was sharing power with BJP in the state," Shelar said.

He alleged the citizens of Mumbai have rejected the Thackeray-led Shiv Sena.

"The citizens trust honesty, but Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray is a big name in the misappropriation of funds," he alleged.

The schedule of elections to civic bodies in Maharashtra, including Mumbai, is not announced yet.

Notably, during his recent visit to Mumbai, BJP president JP Nadda had appealed to the party cadres to ensure that the next mayor of Mumbai is from the BJP.

Since its formation, the Shiv Sena considers Mumbai as its citadel as it expanded the party base with its son-of-soil brand of politics.

The last mayor of Mumbai before the five-year term of the BMC ended in March 2022 was Kishori Pednekar, who belongs to Uddhav Thackeray-led faction. The state government appointed the administrator in the BMC as elections could not be held before the expiry of the five-year term.

In the 2017 BMC elections, the BJP made giant strides by winning 82 of 227 seats, just two seats behind the Shiv Sena (undivided).

In June 2022, a bulk of Shiv Sena MLAs and MPs rebelled against Uddhav Thackeray and joined the faction led by Eknath Shinde, which was later recognised as the real Shiv Sena by the Election Commission of India.

However, it is believed that the Mumbai-based cadres and the extensive shakha (branch) network of Shiv Sena is still intact and fiercely loyal to the Thackerays.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Ban On Gatherings In Guwahati Ahead Of Amit Shah's Two-Day Visit

Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC were imposed in Guwahati on Sunday, ahead of Union Home Minister Amit Shah's visit to the city.

Some specified persons or groups are likely to disturb the normal functioning of offices and obstruct the movement of the public and traffic in the coming days, according to the notification shared by Police Commissioner Diganta Barah.

It is also apprehended that these groups or persons may carry out agitation or demonstration in the city, thereby causing "breach of peace and public order", it said.

"It is necessary to take preventive measures to ensure peaceful movement of public, traffic and also normal activities of local residents and also functioning of offices in above mentioned area," the order stated.

Assembly of more than five persons and procession or slogan shouting in the entire jurisdiction of the police commissionerate has been prohibited with immediate effect until further orders.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma chaired a meeting of cabinet ministers to discuss the upcoming trip of Amit Shah, who is likely to reach Guwahati on Wednesday night on a two-day visit.

"Laying of foundation stone for the National Forensic Science University & distribution of appointment letters will be done during the visit of Hon'ble Home Minister," the Chief Minister's Office tweeted.

After attending the meeting, Education Minister Ranoj Pegu said Amit Shah will grace the ceremonial distribution of appointment letters to approximately 45,000 candidates for various government jobs.

"We had an in-depth discussion on the smooth conduct of both events. Senior officials of all the departments were also present in the meeting," he said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Follow "Sheila Dikshit Model": Congress Leader's Tip To Arvind Kejriwal

Congress leader and former Union minister Ajay Maken on Sunday said Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal should follow the "Sheila Dikshit model" of engaging with officers respectfully, holding dialogues with them rather than "mistreating" them, and persuading them to work for the city's advancement.

He also said Mr Kejriwal's past actions of summoning officers and allegedly using harsh words against them are only contributing to the City's distress.

Mr Maken's advice came as the Delhi government is engaged in a battle with the Centre over the control of the city's bureaucracy.

Sharing his own experiences as a minister in the Sheila Dikshit government in Delhi during the BJP-led NDA regime at the centre in early 2000s, Mr Maken said they worked with the bureaucracy to get things done in Delhi's interest.

"I hope the current Chief Minister takes note of this journey and learns from it. Engage with officers respectfully, hold dialogues, and persuade them for Delhi's advancement. They will certainly align with your vision if it's sincere.

"Your past actions - summoning officers at ungodly hours, resorting to mistreatment and harsh words - are not constructive. It's crucial to recognize that such behavior only contributes to the city's distress," Mr Maken said on Twitter.

Sharing on Twitter and Facebook a story titled "A Day with Sheila Ji: Reflecting Amidst Kejriwal's Current Power Chaos", Mr Maken said in the early 2000s a historic shift was underway in Delhi when he was serving as the transport, power, and tourism minister under the late Sheila Dikshit.

The Congress leader said the Delhi government was spearheading a series of initiatives including transitioning public transport to CNG, launching the Metro and reforming the power department.

In the middle of this, then transport commissioner Sindhushree Khullar was replaced. "Fired up, we decided to meet the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi. I remember her (Sheila Dikshit's) strategic advice. She told me, 'be as forceful as possible, argue for the interest of Delhi. As I deal with the LG daily, you can be the forceful, I will be the supportive referee,' she directed," Mr Maken said.

"Despite our passionate appeal, the LG was unwavering. 'I have my orders. I can't reverse this, he responded firmly...

"Unfortunately, by evening, the decision stood firm. My frustration prompted a proposal for a press conference to expose this politically driven obstruction. Sheila Ji, however, had a different strategy.

"With a gentle wave of her fingers, she advised, 'No, no, no… Don't tell anyone about our failed attempt. Officers shouldn't know that we tried and couldn't succeed. If they find out, they might stop taking us seriously'. Her wisdom was profound. She continued, 'Call the new officer. Tell him the CM is delighted with his appointment. Explain the importance of CNG conversion, and invite him for tea and pakoras. These officers are with no one. Tackle them skillfully'," Mr Maken said.

The former minister said the turn of events was remarkable as the new officer understood the gravity of the situation and "we stood united against various lobbies and earned accolades from the Supreme Court and even the US Government".

He said he could say with pride, "We became the first city globally to fully convert its public transport system to CNG." AICC general secretary also said, "Truly a wonderful story. This is governance through quiet persuasion and not governance through headlines." "Reflecting on those years, I firmly believe, 'Sheila Dikshit Ji's government's first six years were the most productive phase. She fought not for power, but for the betterment of Delhi. Power privatization, CNG conversion, Metro launch, construction of flyovers, hospitals, schools - they all happened because she fought tirelessly for Delhi," Mr Maken said.

"Her lessons of leadership and diplomacy continue to guide me. She taught me to tackle obstacles skillfully, to serve with a clear focus on the city's welfare. To offer tea and pakoras when needed, and to stand firm when required. That's Sheila Ji's legacy, a guide to serving public interest above all else'," the Congress leader said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Officer Who Arrested Aryan Khan "Fully Cooperating" With CBI In Bribery Case

Former Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Zonal Director Sameer Wankhede was questioned by the Central Bureau of Investigation in connection with the alleged bribery in the drugs-on-cruise case concerning Aryan Khan. Wankhede was questioned for the second consecutive day on Sunday in connection with the case.

After coming out of the NCB office, Wankhede said that he will continue to cooperate in the investigation.

"I am fully cooperating with the CBI and will continue to do it. I answered whatever I was asked by CBI," Wankhede told ANI.

Wankhede has been booked by the CBI for allegedly demanding Rs 25 crore as a bribe for not framing Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan's son Aryan Khan in the drugs-on-cruise case.

The agency said that the deal was closed for Rs 18 crore adding that assets to Wankhede were not proportionate to his known sources of income.

Earlier, the NCB sources said that Wankhede violated the conduct rules by producing conversations he had with actor Shah Rukh Khan over Aryan Khan's arrest in the drugs-on-cruise case.

"Sameer Wankhade giving chats in the court is against the conduct rules of NCB. How an investigating officer can have such chats with the family of the accused?" sources in the NCB said.

The sources added, "Sameer Wankhede did not inform his superiors about these chats then or placed them on record. Neither he told the vigilance team who were investigating his misconduct about these chats".

The NCB sources further claimed that Wankhede did not provide the phone through which he was chatting with Shahrukh Khan and along with this he also tried to scare a senior official of NCB when he took over the case.

Wankhede had approached the Bombay High Court against the CBI action against him, from where he was granted protection from arrest till May 22. The next hearing in the matter is on May 22.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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2013 Patna Blast Accused Who Escaped From Custody Arrested After 10 Years

One of the accused in the 2013 Gandhi Maidan blast case was arrested by the Special Task Force (STF) of the Bihar Police from Darbhanga after he was on the run for 10 years, officials said on Sunday.

Mehre Alam, the accused, had escaped from the custody of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in 2013, they said.

He was arrested on Saturday by the STF from the Ashok Paper Mill area in Darbhanga, they added.

Serial blasts rocked the Gandhi Maidan on October 29, 2013, during the 'Hunkar Rally' of then BJP PM candidate Narendra Modi. Five persons were killed and over 70 people were injured.

While six explosions happened around the venue of the rally, two bombs went off within 150 metres of the dais from where Modi delivered his speech.

Four live bombs were later recovered near the venue.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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राजस्‍थान में योजना भवन की अलमारी से 2.31 करोड़ रुपये और एक किलो सोना बरामद

जयपुर में सरकार के योजना भवन के तहखाने में एक अलमारी से 2.31 करोड़ रुपये से अधिक की नकदी और एक किलो सोना बरामद किया गया है. पुलिस ने इस संबंध में योजना भवन के सात कर्मचारियों को हिरासत में लिया है जिनकी तहखाने (बेसमेंट) तक पहुंच थी और वहां के सीसीटीवी फुटेज भी खंगाले जा रहे हैं.

प्राप्त जानकारी के मुताबिक, इस अलमारी में रखे सूटकेस में 2000 और 500 रुपये के नोट थे. यह जब्ती शुक्रवार को उस समय की गई जब भारतीय रिजर्व बैंक ने 2000 रुपये के नोटों को चलन से वापस लेने की घोषणा की.

विपक्षी भारतीय जनता पार्टी (BJP) ने इस मुद्दे को लेकर कांग्रेस सरकार पर निशाना साधा है.

अधिकारियों के अनुसार, पूरे मामले की जानकारी मुख्यमंत्री को दी गई, जिसके बाद मुख्य सचिव उषा शर्मा, पुलिस महानिदेशक (DGP) उमेश मिश्रा और जयपुर के पुलिस आयुक्‍त आनंद श्रीवास्तव ने शुक्रवार देर रात सचिवालय में संयुक्त प्रेस वार्ता की.

श्रीवास्‍तव ने कहा, ‘‘जिस तहखाने से नकदी और सोना मिला है, वहां ई-फाइलिंग परियोजना के तहत फाइलों को स्कैन और उनका डिजीटलीकरण किया जा रहा है. दो अलमारी में ताला लगा था, उनकी चाभी नहीं मिली. जब चाभियां नहीं मिलीं तो आज उन आलमारी के ताले तोड़े गए.''

उन्होंने कहा, “एक अलमारी में फाइलें मिलीं जबकि दूसरी अलमारी में एक सूटकेस मिला. जब इसे खोला गया तो यह नोटों और सोने से भरा था. इसके बाद कर्मचारियों ने अशोक नगर थाने को सूचना दी.''

उन्होंने कहा कि नकदी की गिनती की गई, जो 2.31 करोड़ रुपये और सोने का वजन एक किलो था. उन्होंने कहा कि सात कर्मचारियों को हिरासत में लिया गया है और उनसे पूछताछ की जा रही है. पूरे मामले की जांच शुरू हो गई है.

पुलिस आयुक्‍त ने जल्द ही पूरे मामले का खुलासा करने का दावा किया है. उन्होंने बताया कि जिस अलमारी से नकदी और सोना बरामद हुआ है वह कई महीनों से बंद पड़ी थी. पुलिस उन कर्मचारियों से पूछताछ करेगी जिनकी तहखाने में अलमारियों तक पहुंच है.

उन्‍होंने कहा, ‘‘पैसा किसका है, कैसे आया, इसकी जांच की जा रही है. सीसीटीवी फुटेज खंगाले जा रहे हैं.''

योजना भवन में करोड़ों रुपये की नकदी मिलने की घटना को लेकर अब भाजपा ने सरकार पर निशाना साधा है. नेता प्रतिपक्ष राजेंद्र राठौड़ ने ट्वीट किया कि आखिरकार सचिवालय के पास भ्रष्टाचार की जड़ मिल गई है.

राठौर ने कहा, ‘‘भ्रष्टाचार की गंगोत्री आखिरकार सचिवालय तक पहुंच ही गई. राजस्थान सचिवालय जहां मुख्यमंत्री अशोक गहलोत जी बैठकर शासन चलाते हैं, वहां करोड़ों की नकदी और सोना बरामद होना इस बात का प्रमाण है कि गहलोत सरकार भ्रष्टाचार के संरक्षणदाता की भूमिका में है.''

उन्‍होंने कहा, ‘‘दो हजार रुपये के नोट को चलन से बाहर करने का बयान देने वाले मुख्यमंत्री जी आप केवल इतना बता दीजिए कि आपका सचिवालय दो हजार के अनगिनत नोटों को क्यों उगल रहा है ? योजना भवन के सूचना एवं प्रौद्योगिकी विभाग में किन उद्देश्यों को पूरा करने के लिए करोड़ों रुपए छिपाकर रखे गए?''

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मेरी भारत यात्रा से 'एक नया इतिहास' लिखा जाएगा: नेपाल के प्रधानमंत्री पुष्प कमल दाहाल 'प्रचंड'

काठमांडू: नेपाल के प्रधानमंत्री पुष्प कमल दाहाल 'प्रचंड' ने शनिवार को कहा कि नेपाल ने इस बार की उनकी भारत यात्रा के लिए 'अच्छी तैयारी' की है और यह द्विपक्षीय संबंधों में 'नया इतिहास' लिखेगा. प्रचंड का भारत दौरा कई कारणों से तीन बार टल चुका है. सीपीएन-माओवादी सेंटर के 68 वर्षीय नेता दाहाल के पिछले साल दिसंबर में तीसरी बार प्रधानमंत्री बनने के बाद भारत की यह यात्रा उनकी पहली विदेश यात्रा होगी. उन्होंने कहा, ‘‘हमने इस बार भारत की यात्रा के लिए अच्छी तैयारी की है. भारत ने भी यात्रा के लिए गंभीर तैयारियां की हैं, ऐसा मैं महसूस करता हूं.''

प्रचंड ने नेपाल के एक प्रमुख समाचार पत्र ‘कांतिपुर डेली' से बातचीत के दौरान कहा, ‘‘इस बार मैं इस विश्वास के साथ भारत की यात्रा कर रहा हूं कि एक नया इतिहास रचा जाएगा.'' उन्होंने कहा, ‘‘इस बार, मुझे विश्वास है, नेपाल यात्रा से कुछ नया हासिल होगा. मेरा मानना है कि नेपाल-भारत संबंधों को एक नई ऊंचाई पर ले जाया जाएगा. नेपाल और भारत दोनों के लिए, यात्रा द्विपक्षीय संबंधों को मजबूत करने और आर्थिक सहयोग के नए क्षेत्रों का पता लगाने का अवसर प्रदान करेगी.''

समाचार पत्र ने विदेश मंत्रालय के सूत्रों के हवाले से कहा कि प्रधानमंत्री के 31 मई को भारत की चार दिवसीय आधिकारिक यात्रा पर जाने की संभावना है. हालांकि, प्रस्तावित यात्रा की तारीख और यात्रा कार्यक्रम की अभी तक कोई आधिकारिक घोषणा नहीं हुई है.

‘‘प्रचंड'' से जब यह पूछा गया कि तीसरी बार प्रधानमंत्री का पद संभालने के बाद उन्होंने सबसे पहले भारत की यात्रा करने का विकल्प क्यों चुना, तो उन्होंने कहा, ‘‘हालांकि पहले भारत जाने की कोई कानूनी या राजनीतिक बाध्यता नहीं है, लेकिन ऐसा करने की परंपरा है, क्योंकि हमारे बीच एक खुली सीमा है और हमारे संबंध आर्थिक, राजनीतिक, सामाजिक और सांस्कृतिक निकटता और दोनों देशों के लोगों के बीच संपर्क के कारण अनोखे हैं.''

हालांकि, प्रचंड ने 2008 में प्रधानमंत्री के तौर पर अपने पहले कार्यकाल के दौरान ‘‘पहले चीन का दौरा करके परंपरा को तोड़ा था.'' उन्होंने कहा, ‘‘कुछ समय पहले यात्रा के लिए तैयारियां की जा रही थीं, लेकिन (भारतीय पक्ष की ओर से) वहां चुनाव के कारण यात्रा को कुछ समय के लिए स्थगित करने का अनुरोध किया गया था. इसके बाद मैंने उनसे कहा कि वित्त मंत्री द्वारा 29 मई को बजट पेश करने से पहले यात्रा करना संभव नहीं होगा.''

हिंदू धर्म को बढ़ावा देने के लिए कुछ नेपाली नेताओं को भाजपा द्वारा धन मुहैया कराने के संबंध में मीडिया की खबरों से जुड़े सवाल के जवाब में, प्रचंड ने कहा कि यह एक बहुत ही संवेदनशील मुद्दा है.

प्रचंड ने कहा, ‘‘सरकार ने इस मुद्दे को गंभीरता से लिया है और ऐसे में जब भारत की यात्रा होने वाली है, मुझे लगता है कि इस संबंध में नयी दिल्ली के साथ किसी तरह की आम सहमति बनाने की जरूरत है.''

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