Latest news with #MandalYatra
Time of India
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
‘Guaranteed' victory claim: Row erupts in Maharashtra; did you use ‘vote-riggers', Devendra Fadnavis asks Sharad Pawar
Chief Minister Fadnavis strongly criticized Sharad Pawar's revelation about being offered guaranteed victories in the Maharashtra assembly polls. Fadnavis questioned Pawar's delayed response and suggested he should have reported the incident to authorities. NAGPUR: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday launched a sharp attack on NCP ( Sharad Pawar ) founder Sharad Pawar over his recent revelation that last year two unidentified persons offered to "guarantee" victory in 160 out of 288 seats in the Maharashtra assembly polls, questioning if Pawar kept quiet for so long because he "used the services offered". Addressing the media in Nagpur, Fadnavis said Pawar's remarks, made on Saturday, raised serious questions about political ethics and transparency. "You are responsible citizens. If someone approaches you saying they can influence elections, why did you not file a complaint with the police or the Election Commission? Or did you use their services and are now speaking up?" he asked. Pawar claimed that the mysterious duo first met him in Delhi and later he arranged a meeting with Rahul Gandhi. Both leaders, according to Pawar, declined the offer as the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) wanted to contest "fairly." Dismissing this explanation, Fadnavis alleged, "It is shocking that such elements are being introduced to each other. If someone is conspiring, someone is saying they will commit fraud, your duty is to file a complaint. This is not just casual talk - it is about the credibility of our democracy." The CM said the incident could not be brushed aside as political gossip. "The Election Commission has repeatedly thrown open a challenge to political parties, engineers and technocrats to try and hack EVMs, but no one has succeeded. If you believe there is fraud, take your evidence there. Instead, we hear these Salim-Javed style stories," he remarked, referring to Rahul Gandhi's statements. Guardian minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said the opposition is making these claims is a case of "sour grapes". "I want to challenge the opposition to find mistakes with the voter list now that local body polls are round the corner. They should go through the voter list now and come forward with any issues. But I know that the opposition will keep quiet now and then after results they will start complaining, blaming the voters list," Bawankule said. On the Mandal Yatra launched by NCP (Sharad Pawar), Fadnavis accused the party of using OBC issues only for political gain. "Three decades later, they suddenly remember OBCs. The reality is that for years, they denied benefits to the community and played double games on OBC reservation. Now, after the electoral setback, they want to reclaim lost ground by such yatras. But these will not yield results," he said. Fadnavis also alleged that whenever OBC reservation was under threat, Pawar's camp failed to take a clear stand. "The OBC community has seen through this. They know who stood firmly with them and who only gave speeches," he said. Fadnavis added, "Maharashtra voters have given us a clear mandate. Spreading baseless stories and casting aspersions on that mandate is an insult to the people." Bawankule agreed saying Pawar failed to help OBCs during his days in power. "For almost six decades he has been in active politics. In this time Pawar has held cabinet posts, been CM and a Union minister. But never did he remember OBCs then. The real justice to OBCs was given by BJP," said Bawankule. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Did Pawar, Rahul use services of ‘vote-rigging group', asks CM
Nagpur: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday launched a sharp attack on NCP (Sharad Pawar) founder Sharad Pawar over his recent revelation that last year two unidentified persons offered to "guarantee" victory in 160 out of 288 seats in the Maharashtra assembly polls, questioning if Pawar kept quiet for so long because he "used the services offered". Addressing the media in Nagpur, Fadnavis said Pawar's remarks, made on Saturday, raised serious questions about political ethics and transparency. "You are responsible citizens. If someone approaches you saying they can influence elections, why did you not file a complaint with the police or the Election Commission? Or did you use their services and are now speaking up?" he asked. Pawar claimed that the mysterious duo first met him in Delhi and later he arranged a meeting with Rahul Gandhi. Both leaders, according to Pawar, declined the offer as the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) wanted to contest "fairly." Dismissing this explanation, Fadnavis alleged, "It is shocking that such elements are being introduced to each other. If someone is conspiring, someone is saying they will commit fraud, your duty is to file a complaint. This is not just casual talk — it is about the credibility of our democracy." The CM further said that the incident could not be brushed aside as political gossip. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This AI Tutor Lets You Learn Languages Your Way Talkpal AI Learn More Undo "The Election Commission has repeatedly thrown open a challenge to political parties, engineers and technocrats to try and hack EVMs, but no one has succeeded. If you believe there is fraud, take your evidence there. Instead, we hear these Salim-Javed style stories," he remarked, referring to Rahul Gandhi's earlier statements. Guardian minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said the opposition is making these claims is a case of "sour grapes". "I want to challenge the opposition to find mistakes with the voter list now that local body polls are round the corner. They should go through the voter list now and come forward with any issues. But I know that the opposition will keep quiet now and then after results they will start complaining, blaming the voters list," Bawankule said. On the Mandal Yatra launched by NCP (Sharad Pawar), Fadnavis accused the party of using OBC issues only for political gain. "Three decades later, they suddenly remember OBCs. The reality is that for years, they denied benefits to the community and played double games on OBC reservation. Now, after the electoral setback, they want to reclaim lost ground by such yatras. But these will not yield results," he said. Fadnavis also alleged that whenever OBC reservation was under threat, Pawar's camp failed to take a clear stand. "The OBC community has seen through this. They know who stood firmly with them and who only gave speeches," he said. Reiterating that the BJP remained committed to OBC welfare, Fadnavis said, "Maharashtra's voters have given us a clear mandate. Spreading baseless stories and casting aspersions on that mandate is an insult to the people." Bawankule agreed saying Pawar failed to help OBCs during his days in power. "For almost six decades he has been in active politics. In this time Pawar has held cabinet posts, been CM and a Union minister. But never did he remember OBCs then. The real justice to OBCs was given by BJP," said Bawankule. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
NCP (SP) kickstarts Mandal Yatra in Nagpur
Ahead of the upcoming local body polls, the Nationalist Congress Party (SP) on Saturday launched 'Mandal Yatra' from Nagpur, recalling it was former Chief Minister and current party chief Sharad Pawar who implemented Mandal commission in the state extending reservation benefits to OBCs. 'The yatra will be taken across the state. It will address issues faced by OBCs, hold public rallies and focus on strengthening organisation of OBCs. Our aim is to create public opinion against the government over the issues such as condition of Maharashtra's farmers, the issue of suicide, economic troubles faced by banks,' said Pawar. The yatra will travel across all the districts of the state over the next two months. According to sources, one of the reasons cited by the party for its loss in the 2024 Maharashtra assembly elections was OBCs deserting the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance. The yatra is also seen as the party's bid to regain lost base. When asked whether the party was specifically targeting OBC community, NCP (SP) state chief Shashikant Shinde said, 'Our party is not limited to a particular caste or community. We work for all and address concerns raised by every community. The yatra is an attempt to address issues of OBCs and the party will keep on raising issues concerning every citizen of Maharashtra,' said Shinde. NCP (SP) ally's Congress too is currently attempting to focus on the OBC leadership. In its recently announced state executive committee, the party gave preference to OBC leadership. Not only the opposition, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis too attended a programme organised by OBC Mahasangh at Goa. 'I was targeted for speaking up for OBCs. Irrespective of how much I am targeted, I will keep speaking for the OBCs,' Fadnavis had said.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
NCP to reach out to OBCs through Mandal Yatra
Nagpur: The Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar) is planning to reach out to the OBC voters for the upcoming local self-government body elections in the state by organising a Mandal Yatra in various districts of the state. Sharad Pawar, who was the chief minister when the Mandal Commission recommendations for OBC reservations were implemented in Maharashtra, will flag off the yatra from Variety Chowk in Nagpur on August 9. Providing more information about the yatra at a press conference on Thursday, former home minister Anil Deshmukh said that Sharad Pawar has made significant contributions to OBC reservation. "It is important that people know this. The Mandal Commission recommnedations wer implemented to provide justice to the OBC community. However, those in the power now in the country and state had then opposed the Commission and organised the Kamandal Yatra," he said. Deshmukh stressed that the purpose of this yatra is to present to the people in documentary form the "entire truth" about who came forward to implement the Mandal Commission recommendations and who opposed it. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Find out: this is how you clean your yoga mat! Kingdom Of Men Undo "This yatra will travel to different districts in the state," said Deshmukh and cited examples to claim "BJP's so-called Hindutva agenda is hindering OBC community's reservation and social justice issues". On revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule's announcement about forming a committee for farmers' loan waiver, Deshmukh said the govt does not want to give any kind of loan waiver to farmers. "There is no govt policy for this, that's why a committee is being formed," he said and alleged that this committee's report will come before the 2029 elections. On Eknath Shinde's Delhi visit, Deshmukh said all is not well in the Mahayuti govt. "MLAs from BJP, Shinde and Ajitdada's groups are upset. Their own leaders privately say that fighting is going on among all three parties. That's why they constantly visit Delhi," said Deshmukh. On invitation to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis for the ongoing OBC convention in Goa, he said if those who opposed the Mandal Commission are being invited, the organisers should ask them such questions. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and s ilver prices in your area.
