Maha awaits resignation, says Rohit Pawar amid growing controversy around Agriculture Minister
Pawar criticised the lack of direct action against Minister Kokate, even though the NCP leadership has taken disciplinary steps against party officials and workers involved in the recent incident in Latur.
The incident involved alleged assaults on office-bearers of the Chhava organisation who were protesting against Kokate.
Adding to the controversy, a photograph of Minister Kokate allegedly playing the card game Rummy on his mobile phone during the ongoing monsoon session of the Maharashtra Legislature went viral on social media. Rohit Pawar shared the image, intensifying public and political scrutiny.
In his defence, Kokate claimed the image was misinterpreted and that he was merely deleting a Rummy game advertisement from his phone. He termed it a deliberate attempt to malign his image.
Despite his explanation, opposition leaders and activists have demanded strong action.
Prominent social activist Anjali Damania has urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to
immediately sack Kokate. UNI SP.SSP
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Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Modi dedicates Operation Sindoor success to Lord Mahadev
1 2 Varanasi: Invoking Lord Shiv's 'Rudra roop' (fierce form) to describe India's resolute action against terrorism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday dedicated the success of Operation Sindoor to Lord Vishwanath and said it showcased the country's strength to the world and delivered a clear message that anyone who dares attack India will not be spared, not even in 'Pataal Lok'. Opening his address with chants of "Om Namah Parvati Pataye, Har Har Mahadev", the PM recalled the pain of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack . "My heart was filled with sorrow for the 26 people who lost their lives in the Pahalgam terror attack," Modi said during his 51st visit to his Lok Sabha constituency. "My promise to avenge 'Sindoor' of our daughters was fulfilled with the blessings of Mahadev... I dedicate the success of the operation to the feet of Mahadev," the PM said. Addressing a public meeting in the Kalikadham area, Modi said, "The valour of Indian defence forces and blessings of Lord Vishwanath, who signifies 'welfare', but embodies the fierce form of Rudra and Kaal Bhairav when confronted with terror and injustice, made it possible to fulfil his promise to avenge the Sindoor of the daughters." The PM said the success of Operation Sindoor could not be digested by Congress and its 'chela-chapatas' (followers and alliance partners), and they are troubled that India destroyed terrorist bases in Pakistan. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Krasnaya Shemonaikha: Unsold Furniture Liquidation 2024 (Prices May Surprise You) Unsold Furniture | Search Ads Learn More Undo "When the visuals showed how Indian drones precisely targeted and reduced terrorist headquarters to ruins, apart from destroying Pakistani air bases, like Pakistan — the mastermind of terrorism — the Congress and SP also started mourning. " Questioning whether Sindoor — the symbol of dignity and sacrifice — could ever be considered a spectacle, Modi said these opposition parties insulted the valour of the defence forces by terming Operation Sindoor a 'tamasha'. He asked whether the bravery of the armed forces and the fulfilment of a vow to avenge the sindoor of sisters could be trivialised in such a manner. Without taking any name, the PM said that for his vote-bank and appeasement politics, the leader of SP, who kept giving clean chits to terrorists and withdrew cases against those involved in bomb blasts during his regime in UP, questioned the timing of the elimination of the accused of the Pahalgam massacre in Parliament. Modi asked, "Whether the opposition leader wanted that he should be given a call before initiating this action or wait to enable terrorists to escape. " These parties are troubled by the elimination of terrorists and the name of Operation Sindoor, he said, adding that, "This is a new India — one that worships Lord Shiv and also knows how to embody the form of Kaal Bhairav against the country's enemies." Made-in-UP missiles to destroy Pak if it indulges in any misadventure: PM Mentioning how the world witnessed the power of India's indigenous weaponry and the effectiveness of India's air defence systems, missiles, and drones during Operation Sindoor, PM Modi said that the impact of BrahMos missiles not only instilled fear in the enemy but also demonstrated the progress being made under 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'. Modi said, "Soon, production of BrahMos missiles will begin in Lucknow... Major companies setting up their plants in the defence corridor of UP and starting to manufacture weapons will further strengthen our forces. If Pakistan commits another misdeed, missiles made in UP will destroy its terrorists." "With many major defence firms setting up their manufacturing plants in the UP defence corridor, made in India weapons will soon become the strength of our forces," he said. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Indian Express
Fulfilled vow to avenge Pahalgam attack with blessings of Mahadev: PM on Op Sindoor
PRIME MINISTER Narendra Modi, in Varanasi on Saturday, dedicated the success of Operation Sindoor to Lord Mahadev. On his first visit to Kashi since the operation, he said the 'mission succeeded only with Mahadev's blessings.' Referring to the April 22 terrorist attack in Jammu & Kashmir's Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, the PM said the grief of the victims' families, especially their children, left him 'deeply moved.' Modi said he prayed to Baba Vishwanath for strength for the bereaved families and had vowed before the people of Kashi to avenge their pain — 'the sindoor of our daughters' — a vow he now considers fulfilled. The PM also hit out at the Congress and the Samajwadi Party (SP) for their 'baseless statements' on Operation Sindoor, asserting that such actions would only strengthen the 'resolve of a united and self-reliant India.' He said Lord Shiva represents welfare, but assumes a fierce form when faced with terror and injustice. 'The world witnessed this fierce form of India during Operation Sindoor,' he said, warning that 'whoever attacks India will not survive — even in hell.' 'This is a new India — one that worships Bholenath, but turns into Kaal Bhairav when faced with the enemies of the nation,' said the PM. The PM also credited the success of Operation Sindoor to the 'unity of 140 crore Indians', terming this as the 'foundation of India's strength'. 'This unity sparks a new consciousness each time,' he said, asking the crowd if they weren't proud of India's might and the operation's success. He highlighted the precision strikes by Indian drones and missiles that reduced terror hideouts to rubble, adding that many of Pakistan's airbases 'are still in the ICU.' Modi launched a sharp attack on the Opposition, saying some in the country have a 'stomach ache' over the success of Operation Sindoor. 'The Congress and its allies can't digest that India destroyed Pakistan's terror bases. Pakistan's sorrow is understandable — but why are Congress and SP sharing their grief?' he asked. He added, 'On one side, the king of terror cries; on the other, Congress and SP weep over the condition of terrorists.' Accusing Congress of insulting the armed forces, he said the party is calling Operation Sindoor a 'tamasha'. 'Tell me—can sindoor ever be a tamasha? Calling our army's valour and our daughters' honour a spectacle is shameful and will not be tolerated,' he asserted. The PM took a sharp dig at the SP, accusing it of indulging in vote bank and appeasement politics. Referring to SP leaders' remarks in Parliament questioning the timing of action against the Pahalgam terrorists, he said, 'Should I call them and ask — should we kill terrorists or not? Should we wait to eliminate them?' He reminded the public that during the SP's rule in Uttar Pradesh, the party 'withdrew cases against those accused in bomb blasts and gave clean chits to terrorists.' 'They have a problem with the killing of terrorists and even with the name — Operation Sindoor,' he added.
Economic Times
2 hours ago
- Economic Times
Supriya Sule criticises Maharashtra govt over rise in crime, alleges Rs 4,900 cr scam in Ladki Bahin Yojana
IANS NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule on Saturday slammed the BJP-led Mahayuti government for failing to address the rising crime rate in Maharashtra, accusing it of being a mute spectator as miscreants had no fear of the to reporters, the Baramati MP claimed that a Rs 4,900 crore scam had taken place in the Majhi Ladki Bahin Yogana, the government's flagship scheme that provides a monthly assistance of Rs 1,500 to said parts of the state, including Pune and Beed districts, have witnessed a steady surge in crimes, while the government remains a mute spectator."People have lost faith in the system. There is no fear of the law. Who is backing these criminals? Instead of looking into these questions, the government chooses to stay silent," she said. Sule criticised the delay in the formation of a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the 2022 murder of Parli-based businessman Mahadev Munde. "Only after Munde's wife, Dnyaneshwari, attempted self-immolation and met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, did the government act. We demand a fair and transparent probe by the SIT," she also raised concerns about the recent communal unrest at Yavat in Daund tehsil, where groups of persons, angered by a social media post, vandalised and set ablaze properties."This is a sensitive region. Political leaders and outsiders coming in and inciting unrest is unacceptable. I urge the chief minister and deputy chief ministers to control their people," she said. Sule urged Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, also the guardian minister of Pune, to ensure peace and communal harmony in Daund. "We have deep roots in Daund. Let's not allow outsiders to disturb its social fabric," she has become an example of how power and money can derail governance, she claimed. "There is a Rs 4,900-crore scam in the Ladki Bahin scheme. Farmers are committing suicide, and yet the government is focused on self-promotion," she alleged. Maharashtra Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare recently admitted that nearly 26.34 lakh ineligible persons, including men, were availing benefits of the Ladki Bahin Fadnavis's recent remarks about rising hooliganism in Pune, Sule said, "If you acknowledge there's a law and order issue, what action have you taken? Who is protecting these contractors and gangsters?" She also flagged irregularities in the Election Commission's handling of voter rolls in Bihar, demanding a detailed discussion in the Parliament on electoral transparency and accountability.
