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Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Infighting, delayed seat talks affected MVA in polls: Uddhav
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray said that delayed seat talks and 'ego-driven politics' affected the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance in last year's Maharashtra Assembly polls and warned that continued internal discord may render the coalition meaningless ahead of the civic polls in the state. In an interview to his party mouthpiece Saamana, Uddhav spoke about the infighting and delayed seat-sharing talks within the MVA, which comprises the Sena (UBT), Congress, and NCP (SP) led by Sharad Pawar. 'If mistakes like these are repeated, there is no point in staying together. Seat-sharing discussions dragged on until the very last minute, and candidate selection was left unresolved in several constituencies. The public received the wrong message,' the Sena UBT chief said. Uddhav said that despite MVA's stellar performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections—where the alliance bagged 30 out of 48 seats in Maharashtra—the momentum was squandered in the Assembly polls due to a shift from collective strategy to individual party ambitions. 'The enthusiasm turned into ego-driven politics,' he remarked. Uddhav further suggested that populist schemes announced by the ruling Mahayuti ahead of the Assembly polls, such as the Ladki Bahin scheme, and allegations of manipulation in electoral processes—ranging from questionable voter lists to concerns about Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs)—dented the MVA's prospects. 'These issues need to be investigated. But it's equally important to accept our own mistakes,' he added. Slamming the BJP and the Election Commission, Uddhav also reiterated that the 'Thackeray' name is not merely a political brand but a cultural identity rooted in Maharashtra's history. 'They can snatch our symbol or give it to someone else, but not the name built by my father and grandfather. The roots of our legacy lie deep in the Marathi soil,' Thackeray said, referring to the EC's decision to award the original Shiv Sena name and symbol to the Eknath Shinde- led party. He also took veiled jibes at the RSS and BJP, accusing them of attempting to hijack the 'Thackeray brand' despite having 'built nothing in 100 years.' Uddhav's remarks came around eight months after the MVA's dismal show in the Assembly polls, where the BJP-led Mahayuti—comprising the BJP, Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar's NCP—secured a landslide victory. The BJP emerged as the single largest party with 132 seats, while Shinde Sena bagged 57 and Ajit Pawar's NCP got 41 seats. The Sena UBT, NCP (SP, and Congress managed to win 20, 16, and 10 seats respectively, bringing the MVA's total to a meagre 46 in the 288-member Assembly.
News18
4 days ago
- Politics
- News18
From ‘We' Factor To ‘Me' Factor: Uddhav Thackeray Admits MVA's Own Faults Led To Assembly Drubbing
The Shiv Sena (UBT) chief said the alliance's biggest failure was its inability to take its work and message directly to the people of Maharashtra Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, in a candid interview with party MP Sanjay Raut, has opened up on why the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) lost its grip over Maharashtra in the recent assembly elections, despite claiming public goodwill and a record of crisis management. Thackeray did not hold back from admitting that the alliance's biggest failure was its inability to take its work and message directly to the people of Maharashtra. 'We didn't tell them our story well enough," Thackeray said. According to him, the MVA—comprising the Sena (UBT), Congress, and NCP (SP)—squandered the advantage it had built during the Lok Sabha polls because of infighting and poor seat coordination. 'In the Lok Sabha polls, there was a 'We' factor—everyone worked like one team. But for the assembly, it became a 'Me' fight inside the alliance. There was so much tug-of-war over constituencies that we lost precious time," he confessed. He revealed that during the Lok Sabha campaign, he had the final list of candidates well in advance, which allowed him to hit the ground early. But for the assembly, the MVA leaders were still arguing over seats till the last minute. 'By the time we finalised the seat sharing, we could not even finalise candidates in time. That was our biggest mistake," Thackeray said. Thackeray said while the ruling side—the BJP and Eknath Shinde faction—pumped in money and launched schemes like the Ladki Bahin, the MVA found itself distracted. Thackeray admitted that instead of highlighting what their government had achieved—such as handling Covid-19, waiving farm loans, and maintaining law and order—they 'fell into the trap of announcing counter-schemes, which never connected with voters". He added that during the pandemic, Maharashtra managed the crisis far better—but failed to remind people about this when it mattered most. 'We ran a government when the Centre barely supported us. But we couldn't communicate that strongly enough," he said. Thackeray also questioned the fairness of the election process, pointing to allegations of EVM manipulation, suspicious voter lists, and how people in rural areas felt betrayed when the results came out. He said even Rahul Gandhi raised questions about how the numbers didn't match the ground mood. Thackeray's EC allegation, however, has been refuted by the poll body itself, which said 'facts are completely being ignored". 'Unsubstantiated allegations raised against the Electoral Rolls of Maharashtra are an affront to the rule of law. The Election Commission had brought out all these facts in its reply to the INC on 24th December 2024 itself, which is available on ECI's website. It appears that all these facts are being completely ignored while raising such issues again and again," the ECI said. Adding to its rebuttal, the ECI further said that such actions not only show 'a complete disregard for the law," but also undermine the integrity of thousands of party-appointed representatives and demoralise the lakhs of election officials who, it said, 'work untiringly and transparently during elections." 'After any unfavourable verdict by the voters, trying to defame the Election Commission by saying that it is compromised, is completely absurd," stated the poll body. Thackeray, in his interview, accepted that EC's 'technical issues" aside, the alliance's own lack of discipline and timing played a bigger part. 'If we are going to repeat the same mistakes, there is no point coming together again," he said firmly. Despite losing the traditional party name and symbol to the Shinde faction, Thackeray claimed the 'Thackeray brand' still holds weight because, unlike 'inflated balloons," his family's connection with Maharashtra's people is rooted in honesty and Hindutva. He took a dig at the BJP, accusing it of using divide-and-rule, defection politics and misuse of laws to stay in power. 'People who have no identity left us. But the real Shiv Sainiks, the roots, are still strong," he said. Thackeray's contention of being the 'real" Sena has been contested by Shinde who has earlier taken a dig at the former chief minister for his faction's performance in the November assembly polls. 'We contested 80 seats and won 60 seats. This victory is spectacular. Now tell me whose Shiv Sena is real. People have given their verdict on which Shiv Sena is the real one," Shinde said. Get Latest Updates on Movies, Breaking News On India, World, Live Cricket Scores, And Stock Market Updates. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : eknath shinde Maha Vikas Aghadi Maharashtra elections Sanjay Raut uddhav thackeray view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Opposition leader in legislative council Ambadas Danve slams state govt over ‘plan' to issue new liquor shop licenses in Maharashtra
Mumbai: Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra legislative council Ambadas Danve on Tuesday claimed that the state government was planning to issue 328 new liquor shop licences which would only benefit those who are close to the ruling alliance. "The government is pushing this decision in the name of increasing revenue. But the way the planning has been done, it appears that licences will be distributed to people close to MLAs of Mahayuti alliance," Danve told reporters at the legislature complex, where the monsoon session is underway. It would also lead to a rise in liquor consumption and prove harmful to society, the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader said. "With more liquor shops, consumption will go up and it will destroy many families. This will damage the state's reputation," he said. Danve also recalled that when the government tried to take a similar decision in 1972, socialist leader Mrinal Gore had opposed it. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai Last week, NCP (SP) MLA Jitendra Awhad had claimed that the BJP-led Mahayuti government was planning to issue new liquor shop licences to cope with the financial burden of schemes like Ladki Bahin Yojana, under which eligible women receive monthly aid of Rs 1,500. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like New Launch: 2/3/4 BHK Luxury in Panvel L&T Panvel Enquire Now Undo Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar stated that the government had made a rule that no new licences for liquor shops will be given without taking the legislature into confidence. Danve, meanwhile, also accused a Shiv Sena leader from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar of owning 12 liquor shops. "On the one hand, the government launches the Ladki Bahin scheme, and on the other hand, it is expanding liquor outlets. We will oppose this both in the House and on the streets," he said. Talking about the resumption of operations at the Akashwani MLA hostel canteen here, Danve questioned the administration's logic. "The caterer's licence had lapsed years ago, yet the same company continued to operate the canteen. Now it has resumed operating. What was the point of suspending it for a few days then?" he asked. After Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad slapped a canteen employee for serving 'stale food' last week, the Food and Drug Administration suspended the canteen's licence. On deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde, who is also Shiv Sena president, reportedly reprimanding his party's MLAs and ministers for their behaviour bringing bad publicity to the party, Danve said, "These people are thick-skinned. You will see no change in their behaviour." He also questioned Shinde's role as then urban development minister when Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Ltd won the contract for the Thane-Ghodbunder-Bhayander road and tunnel project. The contract was scrapped in May after the L&T, which had been disqualified, moved the Supreme Court.
The Hindu
15-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Maharashtra hotel association held one-day strike to oppose duty hike on alcohol
Maharashtra's hospitality sector, consisting of bar and restaurant-based bars, held a Statewide ''No Alcohol' strike on Monday (July 14, 2025) opposing the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' government's decision to hike excise duty. The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI) led the strike to counter the Maharashtra government decision to impose a 60% hike in excise duty, a 15% increase in annual FL3 license fees for Financial Year 26, and a 10% VAT on Indian-Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) sold at FL3 outlets. 'The one-day strike to grab the attention of the government and make them understand that the tax hike will make everything expensive, which will affect businesses. Secondly, we want to look at it from the larger perspective of tourism, especially when we have got UNESCO status for so many monuments, State should be competent enough to serve tourist from across the country and from the abroad,' said Pradeep Shetty, member of Hotel And Restaurant Association (Western India) – HRAWI. The duty hike is also seen as a way to fund welfare schemes, including the Ladki Bahin initiative. HRAWI also wrote a letter to Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, referring to the proposed hike, which may cause a sharp rise in the retail prices of alcoholic beverages. It also mentioned the consequences that may cause financial strain on hospitality businesses already struggling with 10% higher license fees, 10% VAT, and rising operational costs. 'The annual excise license fees have also been revised upward by 15%, further compounding the burden on the industry. The final price of the product is likely to become the most expensive in the country, making Maharashtra a less competitive destination for tourists, impacting tourism and hospitality,' said Jimmy Shaw, President of HRAWI, in the letter.
Indian Express
14-07-2025
- 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.
