'Nirmala Sitharaman Seemed Biased Against Me Since the Beginning': Former Finance Secretary
Former Finance Secretary Subhash Garg talks candidly about the inner workings of the finance ministry and reveals the details of his troubled working relationship with the Union finance minister.
Former Finance Secretary Subhash Garg talks candidly about the inner workings of the finance ministry and reveals details of his troubled working relationship with Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman as well as his dissenting views on critical policy matters which had a deep impact on the political economy.
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Indian Express
35 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.
Time of India
40 minutes ago
- Time of India
Mahanadi among key agenda as CM meets Shah, Patil
Bhubaneswar: CM Mohan Charan Majhi held separate discussions with Union home minister and Jal Shakti minister C R Patil on Wednesday focusing on expediting development initiatives and resolving Odisha's long-standing concerns regarding the Mahanadi river water dispute. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now During his meeting with Shah, which Majhi described as a courtesy call, the dialogue revolved around infrastructure development, internal security, and the effective implementation of Centre-assisted welfare schemes. A key topic was Odisha's stance on achieving a peaceful resolution to the Mahanadi dispute with Chhattisgarh. Shah had earlier highlighted the importance of dialogue between Odisha and Chhattisgarh to resolve the issue at the Eastern Zonal Council meeting on July 10. "Discussed Centre-State coordination and various developmental initiatives of the state," Majhi shared on social media platform X. In a separate meeting with C R Patil, Majhi emphasised Odisha's concerns over the ongoing Mahanadi river water dispute. He advocated for a fair, just, and time-bound resolution to ensure Odisha's rightful share of water resources, which are vital for the state's agriculture, ecology, and livelihoods. Odisha has requested the Jal Shakti ministry to establish a joint panel led by the Central Water Commission, comprising members from both Odisha and Chhattisgarh, to find a mutual solution to the inter-state dispute. The CM also met Union minister of consumer affairs, food and public distribution Pralhad Joshi and requested enhancement of the rice procurement target for the upcoming season in view of the anticipated surplus in the state. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Majhi urged for increased monthly lifting of rice by FCI to ensure timely evacuation. Majhi along with deputy CM Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Odisha BJP MPs also had a joint discussion with Joshi and discussed various issues relating to Odisha. In a separate development, deputy CM Singh Deo met Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "A moment of profound gratitude, reflection, and shared commitment to building a Viksit Bharat with Odisha's unique spirit and contributions at its heart. Presented sacred Mahaprasad from Shri Jagannath Dham—a symbol of unity, humility, and divine grace. It carries the blessings of millions of devotees and the timeless legacy of our land. May Mahaprabhu Jagannath continue to guide our collective journey towards an empowered, inclusive, and culturally enriched India," SinghDeo shared on X. Singh Deo and his wife and MP Sangeeta Singh Deo also met Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Ex-MLA Harshvardhan Jadhav sentenced to 1-yr jail
Nagpur: Former Shiv Sena MLA, and son-in-law of Union minister Raosaheb Danve, Harshvardhan Jadhav, age 40, has been sentenced to one year imprisonment and fined Rs20,000 by the Nagpur district court in a case of assaulting a police officer. The incident occurred on December 6, 2014, when Shiv Sena party chief Uddhav Thackeray's meeting was underway at a city hotel. Jadhav attempted to forcibly enter the room. When police inspector Parag Jadhav of the Special Security Squad stopped him, Harshvardhan slapped him on the ear. Sonegaon police had registered a case against him for obstructing govt work and assault. District judge RJ Ray found him guilty in this case after hearing arguments from both sides and examining witnesses. Jadhav had repeatedly remained absent from court hearings. An arrest warrant was also issued against him. Finally, after he appeared in court on February 17, he was sent to jail. Harshvardhan Jadhav, who is currently with chief minister Eknath Shinde 's group, had contested the recent assembly elections against the Shinde Sena's official candidate, which was his wife Sanjana. He lost to her by over 18,000 votes.
