Latest news with #AjitPawar
Hans India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Kerala NCP defies national leadership's call to resign
Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala unit of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), which includes State Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran and party legislator Thomas K. Thomas, has dismissed calls by party national working president Praful Patel to either resign as legislators or align with the Ajit Pawar-led faction. The Kerala NCP continues to remain an ally of the ruling CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF). The internal rift began after Ajit Pawar broke away from the party headed by his uncle and party founder, Sharad Pawar. The Election Commission recently dealt a blow to Sharad Pawar by recognising Ajit Pawar's faction as the official NCP, granting it the party name and symbol. Following this, the Sharad Pawar faction has been renamed as NCP (Sharad Pawar), or NCP (SP), with the Kerala unit staying loyal to the veteran leader. Praful Patel had earlier issued an ultimatum to the Kerala unit, asking its two legislators to either resign or switch allegiance to Ajit Pawar's faction. While the initial deadline was May 31, a fresh letter reiterating the demand was sent recently, warning of consequences for non-compliance. However, Thomas, who also serves as the state NCP president, dismissed the letter. 'Tell me, which party do Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule belong to? They (Ajit Pawar and Patel) all contested on the same symbol. We are with Pawarji. They have nothing better to do than send letters,' he said. 'The Kerala Assembly Speaker will decide our status. We've already informed the Supreme Court that we are with Pawar. No institution is above the apex court. Also, the NCP is a state party now, not a national one,' Thomas added. State Minister Saseendran also brushed off Patel's letter, calling it 'no big deal.' 'At the appropriate time, we'll do what is necessary. We now identify as NCP (SP),' he said. The Kerala unit has ruled out aligning with Ajit Pawar's faction, which is now part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Notably, the Left Front in Kerala recently faced a similar setback when JD(S) -- another constituent -- saw its national president and former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda ally with the BJP. JD(S), too, continues to be part of the ruling Left coalition in the state.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
NCP unit in Kerala faces turmoil as Ajit Pawar group demands resignation of LDF legislators for alleged anti-party activities
The internal strife in the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in Maharashtra appeared to reverberate in its Kerala unit, a ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) ally, on Tuesday (July 15, 2025). The NCP faction led by Ajit Pawar, Deputy Chief Minister in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Maharashtra, has demanded the resignation of two NCP-Sharad Chandra Pawar group legislators aligned with the LDF in Kerala for alleged anti-party activities. Praful Patel, NCP-Ajit Pawar faction's national working president and chairman of the party's central disciplinary committee, has also put Kerala Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran and Kuttanad MLA Thomas K. Thomas on notice for allegedly pursuing an anti-party line in Kerala. He has disqualified them from the NCP's primary membership for six years. Mr. Patel noted that both Mr. Thomas and Mr. Saseendran had won under the unified NCP's clock symbol in the 2021 Assembly elections in Kerala. Subsequently, in 2023, the Election Commission of India (ECI) recognised the NDA-aligned Ajit Pawar faction as the 'original' NCP. He accused the legislators of skipping party meetings and working as a parallel political entity far outside the 'authentic' NCP's ambit. Mr. Patel warned both the Kerala leaders that the NCP-Ajit Pawar would draw them to court for allegedly violating the provisions of the Anti-Defection Law and the People's Representation Act. Thomas, Saseendran hit back Mr. Thomas told The Hindu that the NCP's constitution did not envisage a national working president post as claimed by Mr. Patel. Moreover, the two NCP legislators in Kerala were aligned with Mr. Sharad Pawar. 'So where is the question of an NCP split in Kerala?' he added. Mr. Saseendran stated that the Supreme Court order awarding the NCP name to Mr. Ajit Pawar was an interim order. He said he awaited the apex court's final decision in the dispute over the NCP symbol and original name. The NCP legislators in Kerala had aligned with the Sharad Pawar faction after the party's split over Mr. Ajit Pawar's decision to align with the NDA in Maharashtra in 2023. Subsequently, Mr. Saseendran and Mr. Thomas filed affidavits in the Supreme Court declaring their allegiance to Mr. Sharad Pawar. They accused Mr. Ajit Pawar of 'abandoning NCP's founding Gandhian and Ambedkarite values' and swore their commitment to the LDF. No ethical compunction: Satheesan Meanwhile, Kerala's Leader of the Opposition V.D. Sastheesan said the LDF had 'no ethical compunction in embracing two BJP allies' in Kerala, despite the Communist Party of India (Marxist)'s [CPI(M)] 'grandstanding against the Sangh Parivar.' He said the national leadership of the Janata Dal (Secular), which has two legislators, including Electricity Minister K. Krishnankutty, was aligned with the BJP and an NDA ally. 'The LDF has lost its moral compass', he added.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
New wine shop licences will need legislature nod; none issued: Ajit Pawar
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar Sunday clarified that no new licences have been issued, and any such decision would require the approval of the state legislature, as mandated by a rule in place since 1974. 'A decision was taken back then that liquor shop licences cannot be granted without taking the legislature into confidence. That rule still stands… Alcohol addiction affects men, but the real suffering is borne by women. These rules were made keeping that social impact in mind,' he said. Pawar's remarks came after the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) accused the government of planning to issue 328 new liquor licences to boost revenue. A report published in Loksatta stated that the state government was set to lift a 50-year-long freeze on issuing new wine shop licences. According to the report, the government will issue new licences as per the recommendation of the recently formed committee. The move is part of a broader strategy to increase revenue through the Excise Department, which is the fourth-largest contributor to the state's income, generating around Rs 43,000 crore annually. With welfare schemes such as 'Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin' demanding significant funding, the government is exploring additional sources of income. If the recommendations of a recently formed committee are implemented, the excise revenue is expected to rise by Rs 14,000 crore per year, Loksatta reported. However, the decision has sparked controversy and allegations of conflict of interest. A committee to implement these reforms was formed under the chairmanship of Deputy Chief Minister and Excise Minister Ajit Pawar. Industry experts and opposition leaders questioned the appropriateness of Pawar leading the committee, suggesting it may benefit his close network. NCP (SP) MLA Jitendra Awhad alleged that the government is trying to recover funds spent on schemes like Ladki Bahin by reviving long-suspended licenses. 'This is like turning a brother into a drunkard to run the household for a sister,' Awhad said. 'The moral cost of such a policy will be immense.' Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut called for an inquiry into the alleged distribution of licences to relatives of ministers. 'Liquor licences are being delivered directly to homes of ruling party MLAs,' Raut said. According to officials, the Excise Department had submitted proposals to increase state excise revenue, including the liberalisation of wine sales and issuing new licences. However, they confirmed that no decision has been made, and the 1974 rule remains binding. Maharashtra currently has around 1,700 foreign liquor and 3,500 country liquor licences, all issued before 1974.
India Today
3 days ago
- Business
- India Today
'No alcohol' protest at over 20,000 bars in Maharashtra today over duty hikes
Maharashtra's hospitality sector, comprising over 20,000 bar owners—including 8,000 in Mumbai and its suburbs and 11,500 hotel-based bars—has announced a statewide 'Bar Bandh' and 'No Alcohol' strike today in protest against the Devendra Fadnavis government's decision to hike excise unprecedented shutdown, supported by regional hotel associations in Palghar, Vasai, Pune, Nagpur, Aurangabad, Lonavala, Mahabaleshwar, and Nashik, marks one of the largest unified protests in Maharashtra's hospitality history. The protests will be led by the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI). advertisementLast week, the Maharashtra government decided to impose a 60% hike in excise duty, a 15% increase in annual FL3 license fees for FY26, and a 10% VAT on Indian-Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) sold at FL3 outlets. These measures, aimed at addressing financial strain from the Ladki Bahin scheme, have sparked outrage among bar owners, who warn of an existential threat to their tax hikes have significantly increased liquor prices, hitting consumers hard. A 180-ml bottle of country liquor, previously priced at Rs 60– Rs 70, now costs Rs 80. Maharashtra-made liquor is now priced at Rs 148. Indian-made foreign liquor has risen from Rs 130 to Rs 205, and premium foreign liquor now costs Rs 360, up from Rs 210.'This triple blow will force many establishments to shut permanently. Our members are fighting for survival,' said Jimmy Shaw, President of Shaw added that the hospitality sector, which supports over 20 lakh jobs and attracts 15 crore tourists annually, is a vital pillar of Maharashtra's economy. HRAWI warns that the current tax regime could lead to widespread bar closures, over 4 lakh job losses, a shift of tourists to more affordable neighbouring states, and a rise in unregulated alcohol to the controversy, the state's plan to issue 328 new liquor sale licenses, primarily to companies rather than individual shopkeepers, has raised allegations of favouritism. Each liquor manufacturing company will reportedly receive eight licenses, and the committee overseeing foreign liquor production licenses is chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, whose son, Jay Pawar, is also a director at Capovitez, a liquor manufacturing has fueled accusations of a conflict of interest, with critics like UBT Sena MP Sanjay Raut stating, 'Maharashtra is turning into a land of drunkards,' and social activist Anjali Damania arguing, 'Ajit Pawar should not head this committee.' However, Ajit Pawar has avoided commenting on the has urged the government to rationalise the excessive tax hikes, reconsider the mandatory yearly revision of license fees, and engage in dialogue with industry bodies to create a sustainable policy framework. Both the public and industry stakeholders are now left questioning whose interests the government's liquor policies truly serve.- Ends
The Wire
3 days ago
- Business
- The Wire
'As We Become Third Largest Economy, What About Collapsing Bridges,' Asks Ajit Pawar
The Maharashtra deputy chief minister's line comes amidst an astounding number of reports on road cave-ins and bridge collapses this monsoon. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP President Ajit Pawar. Photo: PTI/File. New Delhi: Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, who is part of the ruling National Democratic Alliance coalition, has asked who is responsible behind the collapse of buildings and bridges whole India "becomes the third largest economy." Indian Express reports that Pawar, of the breakaway faction of the Nationalist Congress Party, was speaking at the inauguration of the Professional Structural Engineers Association in Pune, when he said, 'We have said that we will be the third (largest) economy, and that is true. But what about our buildings and bridges collapsing while we become the third largest economy? Who is responsible for that?" A day before Pawar made these comments, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that India is "rapidly moving towards becoming the world's third-largest economy". Many have challenged the notion of measuring the size of an economy through Gross Domestic Product when gigantic inequalities persist. Pawar's line comes amidst an astounding number of reports on road cave-ins and bridge collapses this monsoon. It also marks rare criticism of the ruling establishment by one of its members. On July 10, a truck fell into a massive crater which had developed on a Gurugram road after rains. On the same day, in Rajasthan's Jhunjhunu district, the road connecting Baghwali-Jahaj to NH 52 was washed away by the Katli river. On July 9, a section of the bridge over the Mahisagar river in Vadodara district collapsed, killing 20 people. A Rs 250-crore flyover inaugurated in Mumbai on July 4 developed potholes on which bikers skidded. On June 15, an iron bridge over the Indrayani river in Mahrashtra's Pune collapsed, killing four people. In Odisha's Sambalpur district, a Rs 60-crore flyover collapsed less than two months after being opened. Pawar said that that public works department receives notices from British companies, letting them know that certain bridges have completed 100 years and should not be operated for vehicular use anymore. 'We do not see this quality of construction anymore. New construction techniques have come up and they should definitely be used… buildings should be made stronger. PWD officials tell us often, 'this building is 40 years old, let's demolish it and make a new one'. How do they make these statements so casually?," he asked. The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.
