Chandrahar Patil shifts from Thackeray to Shinde camp
Patil, a wrestler who had won the state championship Maharashtra Kesari, was fielded from the south-west Maharashtra constituency by Thackeray and Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut. The two had made Sangli a prestige issue even though Congress was unwilling to part with its traditional seat. Eventually, Congress rebel Vishal Patil won as an independent defeating sitting Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Sanjaykaka Patil, while Chandrahar Patil finished a poor third.
After joining Sena, Patil claimed that the Opposition Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) had united to defeat him in Lok Sabha. 'I didn't step back. I got 60,000 votes from Sangli. It is not big figure in Lok Sabha polls where people get two to three lakh votes and win. But I got votes amidst bigwigs and leaders from political dynasties,' he said.
Patil's induction ceremony was attended by minister Uday Samant, MLA Suhas Babar, the party's secretary Ram Repale, and actor-turned-politician Dipali Syed.
Welcoming Patil into the party, Shinde said: 'Today, he has stepped out of a fake (akhada) arena and into the real one.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
33 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Why high GST rate on insurance is a bad idea
It is an idea that was floated by a senior minister in the Narendra Modi government after the 2024 Lok Sabha results. And it's getting closer to reality. HT reported on Thursday that the Union government has sent a proposal to the group of ministers in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council to do away with GST on insurance premiums for health and life insurance policies. From an 18% tax to no tax at all, this will provide significant relief to policyholders. The policy change, if implemented, will especially benefit taxpayers in the new tax regime. They are not entitled to any deductions in taxable income on account of expenses such as insurance premiums. Hopefully, this will free up some, even if little, disposable income for spending on other things and also help reduce the cost of insurance in the country. In fact, the government should make sure that insurance companies do not increase their premiums to neutralise the cost-saving effect of the possible abolition of GST on insurance premiums. The government should make sure that insurance companies do not increase their premiums to neutralise the cost-saving effect of the possible abolition of GST on insurance premiums. (@FinMinIndiaX via PTI) To be sure, it is eminently arguable that the move is aimed at affecting public perception rather than the macroeconomy at large. Insurance coverage, especially health insurance, is growing rapidly in India, especially among the middle classes. Taxing it at 18% was never a fair idea, given the fact that insurance is something one buys for a potential crisis. It is not a luxury or sin-spend. But should it have been made completely tax-free? There is a fine line between political populism and fiscal prudence, if not in tax collections, then in the idea of taxation itself. Creating tax-free goods and services categories can often erode the sanctity of the latter.
The Hindu
33 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Data furnished in LS indicates low adherence to high security registration plates
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways stated in its reply to a question in the Lok Sabha that about 50% of registered vehicles across India are yet to be installed with High Security Registration Plates (HSRPs) even as Telangana's compliance status remains unavailable as the State is in the process of migrating to Vahan 4 database. Parliamentarians Asaduddin Owaisi and Dhanorkar Pratibha Suresh, the MoRTH stated that 20.16 crore of the 40.07 crore registered vehicles in the country have HSRPs. The remaining 19.91 crore, or 49.69%, are non-compliant with the HSRP norms, which were made mandatory to curb counterfeiting and enhance traceability. The ministry also stated that while the Central government is responsible for framing rules under the Motor Vehicles Act, the implementation of HSRP norms, which include fixing, deciding the price, as well as its distribution, is the prerogative of State and Union Territory governments. Telangana is the only State for which HSRP compliance data was not available and submitted in the reply on account of the migration to Vahan 4 platform. The ministry also acknowledged reports of counterfeit HSRPs being circulated in parts of the country. It cited specific provisions under Rule 50(1) of the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989, which require plates to have tamper-proof features such as chromium-based holograms, laser-branded serial numbers, and snap-lock fittings. Advisories have been issued to the State transport agencies or departments as well as manufacturers to prevent unauthorised production and distribution. On the issue of rural access and price disparities, the government clarified that it does not regulate the cost of HSRPs. This came in response to a query about higher plate prices in Maharashtra, where HSRP fee are reportedly more than double when compared to those in other States. States with some of the the lowest compliance percentages include Lakshadweep, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Madhya Pradesh. Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir, and Assam reported higher compliance. In Telangana, there is confusion about fixing HSRPs to older vehicles. While the traffic police have embarked on a drive to ensure said number plates are affixed to vehicles, the Transport department is yet to issue orders mandating HSRPs on older vehicles.
Indian Express
33 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Stormy Monsoon session ends: No SIR discussion, low productivity
Sloganeering, displaying placards and planned deadlock are not in accordance with the dignity of Parliament, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said Thursday as the turbulent Monsoon session came to an end. Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned sine die Thursday. In his valedictory address at the conclusion of the fifth session of the 18th Lok Sabha, Birla said: 'The public has great expectations that we have serious and meaningful discussions on their problems and issues of wider public interest, on important Bills, in accordance with the decorum of Parliament. It is the responsibility of all of us to cooperate in building healthy traditions in the House. In this dignified House, we should avoid sloganeering and disruption and take forward serious and meaningful discussions.' The Monsoon Session, which commenced on July 21, saw the introduction of 14 Bills and the passing of 12 of them. The first day of the session also saw the surprise resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar as Vice-President. For large parts of the session, the Opposition held vociferous protests demanding a discussion on the special intensive revision of rolls (SIR) in Bihar. However, the government maintained that the House cannot discuss matters related to the Election Commission, citing a previous ruling by the Chair. A special discussion was held on Operation Sindoor on July 28 and 29. This was the only full fledged-discussion in the House which saw the participation of the Opposition. Another special discussion, on the achievements of India's space programme on August 18, ended abruptly amid Opposition protests. Thursday was no different as Opposition members raised slogans during Birla's address. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also present in the House. 'In this session, 419 starred questions were included in the agenda, but due to continuous planned disruptions, only 55 questions could be taken up for oral answer. We had all decided at the beginning of the session that we would have 120 hours of discussion and dialogue. The Business Advisory Committee also agreed to this. But due to continuous deadlock and planned disruptions, we could barely work for 37 hours in this session,' Birla said. 'Agreement and disagreement are a natural process of democracy, but our collective effort should be that the House runs with dignity, decorum and decency. We have to think about what message we are sending to the citizens through the country's highest democratic institution,' he said. Birla later adjourned the House sine die. He had initially adjourned the House till noon, soon after it assembled at 11 am, following protests by the Opposition members over the SIR exercise. In Rajya Sabha, Deputy Chairman Harivansh said the disruptions had brought down the productivity of the House. 'Overall, the House functioned for only 41 hours and 15 minutes. The productivity of this Session stood at a disappointing 38.88 per cent, something that calls for serious introspection. Members had the opportunity to raise 285 Questions, 285 Zero Hour submissions, and 285 Special Mentions. However, only 14 Questions, 7 Zero Hour submissions, and 61 Special Mentions could actually be taken up,' he said. 'While these contributions are of value, they represent only a fraction of what this august House is capable of achieving when it functions to its full potential,' the Deputy Chairman said. The Deputy Chairman informed the House that 15 Government Bills were passed or returned during the session. Sixty-four members participated in the two-day discussion on Operation Sindoor, Harivansh said. 'The House also benefited from a suo motu statement by the Minister of Commerce and Industry on India–US Bilateral Trade, which provided valuable insights into India's expanding economic engagement. In addition, the House was duly apprised of the vacancy in the office of the Hon'ble Vice-President of India,' he said. The Deputy Chairman later adjourned Rajya Sabha sine die.
