First day of special debate on Operation Sindoor witnesses massive ruckus
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Indian Express
33 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Shinde meets Modi, targets Uddhav on INDIA bloc talks as both Sena chiefs signal national alignments
In what is being seen as symbolism and political posturing, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde on Wednesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi and reaffirmed his party's ties with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). At a time when Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray was also in New Delhi, Shinde attacked the former for aligning with the INDIA bloc and exploring a tie-up with the MNS ahead of civic body polls. While Shinde and his family met PM Modi at the latter's official residence, Uddhav and his son Aaditya Thackeray were in the national capital scheduled to attend an INDIA bloc meeting on Thursday. The presence of both Sena chiefs in Delhi — with each meeting their respective alliance partners — served as a clear reflection of their sharpening political identities and positioning at the national level. Sources also confirmed that Shinde had a closed-door 30-minute meeting with PM Modi without aides, during which state-related issues and electoral strategy were discussed. 'We took the path of Lok Kalyan Marg shown by Balasaheb, they went to 10 Janpath,' Shinde said after meeting the PM. 'That clearly shows who is following Balasaheb Thackeray's ideology. People of the country are are doing things Balasaheb never approved of,' he said, launching a scathing attack on Uddhav. Shinde also emphasized that the Shiv Sena was the fourth largest ally of the NDA. He accused Uddhav of 'sailing in two boats' by holding talks with INDIA bloc leaders while simultaneously keeping the door open for an alliance with Raj Thackeray's MNS. 'Only someone who has lost confidence in himself does that. In a democracy, everyone has the right to form alliances and coalitions. However, some people, having lost the trust of the public and are trying to balance on two stones,' he said in a veiled reference to Uddhav. 'People vote for those who work; those who sit at home are kept at home by the public,' he said. 'When Veer Savarkar was being insulted, they remained silent because they abandoned Hindutva,' Shinde said. Taking another swipe, he added, 'Shiv Sena is a party for public welfare, while their group is a private limited company.' During the meeting with PM, Shinde, accompanied by his wife Lata Shinde, son and MP Dr Shrikant Shinde, and daughter-in-law Vrushali Shinde, presented PM Modi with a specially commissioned painting of Lord Mahadev, crafted by acclaimed artist Kishor Nandivdekar. The gift, Shinde said, symbolised the successful 'Operation Sindoor' and 'Operation Mahadev', India's retaliatory strikes against the perpetrators of the Pahalgam terror attack. 'Just as Lord Mahadev vanquished evil, our armed forces under the Prime Minister's leadership eliminated the terrorists,' he said. The painting, he added, was a tribute to that national effort and resolve. Earlier in the day, Shinde met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and praised him for becoming the longest-serving Home Minister in the country's history. 'He fulfilled Balasaheb Thackeray's dream by abrogating Article 370, crushed terrorism through Operation Mahadev, and strengthened the cooperative sector. His leadership is decisive and efficient,' Shinde said. Reiterating his Sena's political stand, Shinde announced that the Shiv Sena will support the NDA's candidate in the upcoming vice-presidential election and contest local body polls in Maharashtra as part of the Mahayuti alliance. 'Just like we fought the Assembly elections together, we'll go into civic polls united,' he said. Shinde used the occasion to question Uddhav Thackeray's Hindutva credentials, accusing him of abandoning the ideology and remaining silent on insults to Veer Savarkar. 'They gave up Hindutva. They stayed silent when Savarkar was insulted. That's why people won't stand by them,' he said. Targeting Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Shinde added, 'Questioning the Army's bravery, defaming India and the PM abroad, speaking the language of Pakistan — is not patriotism but love for Pakistan.' Meanwhile, Uddhav Thackeray's camp maintained its engagement with the INDIA alliance and met NCP(SP) chief Sharad Pawar in New Delhi. A day earlier, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi met PM Modi, though both sides termed it a courtesy call. Uddhav is expected to join Rahul Gandhi and other Opposition leaders for a strategy dinner ahead of the bloc's formal meeting. In a separate development, Shinde addressed public concerns over the relocation of a 36-year-old elephant named Madhuri from a Jain Math in Maharashtra to Gujarat's Vantara centre. He said the state government would file a review petition in the Supreme Court. 'The government respects public sentiment. Both Maharashtra and Vantara will be parties to the case,' he said.
Economic Times
an hour ago
- Economic Times
NSA Ajit Doval on Moscow mission amid Trump's antics
Synopsis NSA Ajit Doval's upcoming Moscow visit will prioritize expanding defence cooperation with Russia, potentially including the procurement of additional S-400 missile systems and discussions on Su-57 fighter jets. Talks may also cover establishing S-400 maintenance facilities in India and addressing the geopolitical situation, including Russian oil supplies to India amidst potential US tariffs. Agencies National Security Advisor Ajit Doval (File photo) New Delhi: NSA Ajit Doval's Moscow trip beginning Wednesday will focus on expanding defence industry ties, including purchase of additional S-400 missile defence systems and dialogue on Su-57 fighter jets. Besides the possible purchase of additional S-400 missile systems, the talks could include setting up S-400 MRO facilities in India and exploring options for acquiring Russia's Su-57 fighter jets, ET has learnt. The S-400 systems played a major role in Operation Sindoor in thwarting Pakistan military's aggression. Similarly, BrahMos missiles jointly developed by India and Russia rattled the Pakistani military, according to informed of Doval's visit, Indian ambassador to Russia Vinay Kumar met Russia's deputy defence minister Colonel-General Alexander Fomin. Doval could also meet President Vladimir Putin, incidentally at the time when the US President Donald Trump's special envoy Steven Witkoff is also in Moscow. This is Witkoff's fifth visit to Russia since the beginning of the year."The current escalation of the geopolitical situation will also be discussed. Apart from that the topics will include such pressing matters as supplies of Russian oil [to India]," a Russian source said. The visit acquires significance amid Trum's threat of imposing tariffs against India for purchasing Russian oil and fuelling war Ukraine war.
New Indian Express
an hour ago
- New Indian Express
Hiroshima anniversary: Heed Mahatma's advice
It was rich of Trump to lecture Medvedev on the importance of words, saying they could lead to unintended consequences, given his own history of loose talk. Sample this: after the US bombarded three nuclear sites in Iran in June, degrading its ability to build a bomb at least in the short run, he insensitively drew a parallel between the Iran operation and the Hiroshima and Nagasaki blasts—thus normalising them— claiming both ended wars, drawing an avalanche of protests. In May, when India called Pakistan's nuclear-bluff as part of Operation Sindoor to avenge the Pahalgam terror strike, Trump claimed credit for averting a nuclear war—annoying New Delhi and harming the bilateral trade talks. Violence in any form is reprehensible, more so when it involves weapons of mass destruction. India's doctrine of 'no first use' implies a massive nuclear retaliation to a first strike to inflict unacceptable damage on the enemy. It has served the country well so far. As Mahatma Gandhi said, 'The atomic bomb has deadened the finest feeling that has sustained mankind for ages.' Hatred can be overcome by love and not counter-hatred, he moralised. His preaching of non-violence is relevant more than ever today.
