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Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Both NCP factions to mark 26th anniversary in Pune
MUMBAI: When the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) turns 26 on June 10, its two rival factions will mark the occasion with two contrasting events – one a show of strength, the other a low-key celebration. Both parties – the NCP led by Ajit Pawar and the NCP (SP) led by his uncle, Sharad Pawar – have chosen Pune as the venue. Most importantly, leaders as well as the rank and file from both factions are hoping to get clarity on whether the two parties will merge, a subject that has fuelled much speculation lately. Ajit Pawar has booked a part of the Balewadi sports complex, where seating arrangements will be made for 15,000 office-bearers. 'It should be seen as a show of strength of the party against the backdrop of the local body elections scheduled in the next few months,' said a senior NCP leader. He said they were expecting 15,000 to 20,000 delegates from across the state. 'The celebrations will start in the morning and conclude with Ajit Pawar's speech,' he said. 'Pune is a central place for people coming from Western Maharashtra, the Konkan, Marathwada and North Maharashtra. Only those coming from Vidarbha will find it inconvenient.' The two NCPs have been at daggers drawn ever since Ajit Pawar walked out of the undivided NCP with 40 MLAs in July 2023, to join the BJP-led Mahayuti government in the state. He was rewarded with the post of deputy chief minister. During the local body elections, the two factions will fight a pitched battle for control over Western Maharashtra, a stronghold of the NCP for decades. In the state assembly elections, Ajit Pawar emerged as the stronger of the two Pawars in the region. For the anniversary celebrations, Sharad Pawar has booked Bal Gandharva Rang Mandir, an auditorium with a capacity of around 1,000. 'Pawar saheb will guide all of us by addressing the gathering,' said Ankush Kakade, spokesperson of the NCP (SP). NCP (SP) leaders said they are anxious to get clarity on whether the two NCP factions will reconcile their differences and reunite. 'The speculation has created confusion among the cadre. We all are hoping the party leadership will clear the air on the anniversary, and guide us on how to plan our poll strategy,' said a senior party functionary. Last year, on the undivided NCP's silver jubilee, the Ajit Pawar-led faction celebrated the occasion at Shanmukhananda Hall in Mumbai, while the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) celebrated it in Ahmednagar.
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Oppn questions govt on rural health facilities after woman delivers baby on road in Jalgaon
Pune: A woman's video of delivering a baby on the roadside in Jalgaon district in circulation on social media cast serious posers on medical facilities in rural Maharashtra, giving Opposition an ammo to launch an attack on state govt. Rohini Khadse, the state working president of the women's wing of NCP (SP), said, "Three ministers in this govt are from Jalgaon. Yet, people of the district have to suffer in such a manner, which is quite shameful. It shows that the govt has failed in providing basic healthcare facilities in the rural parts of the state. The govt boasts of starting the Ladki Bahin scheme, but it could not provide an ambulance to one such ladki bahin when she needed it the most. " The widely circulated video was shot a few days ago in Chopda tehsil. According to villagers and NGO workers, the woman was experiencing severe labour pain and needed to be taken to a healthcare facility. Her husband tried to take her to the healthcare facility on his two-wheeler because the ambulance did not reach their house despite repeated calls. The woman could not bear the pain on the way and delivered the baby at the side of the road with the help of local women in the area. Lok Sangharsh Morcha member Pratibha Shinde said, "The woman is from Bormali village. It is quite sad that the health department officials did not send an ambulance to take her to the healthcare facility in an emergency situation. Her husband had to take her on a bike for nearly 8km, and midway, she had to deliver the baby on the road." Shinde said, "The govt has been claiming that they provide all the facilities in rural areas, but this incident has exposed the false claim. It also shows the need for improvement in the healthcare system in the state on a priority basis." The district administration admitted the facts shown in the video and initiated an inquiry. Jalgaon district collector Ayush Prasad said, "This incident is unfortunate. The ambulance was available, and the road to the village was motorable. Such an incident happened because of some mismanagement. Taking serious cognisance of it, we have initiated the inquiry. We are also taking steps to ensure such incidents do not happen in the future.
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Time of India
8-year-old girl in ICU after glass door shatters on Navi Mumbai cruise; floating restaurant owner booked
8-year-old girl suffered severe injuries from shattered glass on a floating restaurant NAVI MUMBAI: An 8-year-old girl was severely injured after a glass door of a floating restaurant was shattered and glass shards pierced her all over the body. The girl's parents were celebrating their wedding anniversary on board the ferry boat which was sailing off Belapur jetty on Tuesday evening. The child, Sanvi Patil, sustained severe gashes on the hands and legs, has a cut on the lips, and also has minor injuries to the head. She is recovering in the intensive care unit of a private hospital. The girl was headed towards a wash basin located behind the 7-foot-high glass door which cracked, and the glass pieces fell on her. The girl's father, Pravin Patil, on Friday lodged a police complaint against against Rajesh Nair, owner of the restaurant Flodine Cruise. The girl's father has stated in the complaint that he had booked tickets for a two-hour cruise on the floating restaurant for the family — his wife, daughter and himself. At 6.30 pm, the ferry boat set out from Belapur jetty with around 25 passengers. Around 30 minutes into the deep sea, they cut a cake after which the girl was walking towards the wash basin when the glass door cracked and huge glass pieces fell on her, states the complaint. Hearing the girl's screams, the couple rushed towards the child who had fallen on the floor, big shards and smithereens embedded all over her, says the complaint lodged by the girl's father who is district president of NCP (SP) Navi Mumbai Machimaar cell "She was crying in pain due to a deep gash on the arm and below the knees... Her eyes were not hurt as she was wearing spectacles," the complaint says. The father has alleged that there was no first aid kit on board. "The restaurant staff and owner gave us tissue paper and turmeric to cover the wounds. I did not apply turmeric, but covered the wounds with a handkerchief to prevent excessive loss of blood," he has stated, adding that he requested the owner to arrange for a speed boat to reach the shore quickly, but he did not arrange for it. It took around 30 minutes for the ferry boat to reach Belapur jetty. When they reached the jetty, the boat owner had not even arranged for an ambulance, the girl's father has said, adding that he (the father) had by then contacted his relative, and the relative got there by a car. The family rushed the child to the hospital, the complaint says. The father said that while a ticket for the cruise costs Rs 1,350 per person, he had got them at a discounted price of Rs 650 per head. The owner of the floating restaurant has been booked for 'endangering life or personal safety of others', under relevant sections of Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
NCP (SP) to launch anti-dowry campaign
Pune: NCP (SP) has decided to carry out a statewide anti-dowry campaign from next month for a year, against the backdrop of Vaishnavi Hagawane's death case. NCP (SP) working president Supriya Sule on Saturday said, "It is really unfortunate that such an incident of dowry-death has happened in a progressive state like Maharashtra. It is not a suicide but a murder case, and we must speak on the issue of dowry to prevent any such incidents in the future. " Vaishnavi was found dead at her marital home in Pune's Bhukum area on May 16. Supriya said the anti-dowry campaign of NCP (SP) would be initiated from June 22 in various parts of the state. "Rising above the party lines, we will have to address the issue of dowry. Therefore, we have decided to start a statewide anti-dowry campaign from June 22. It will be a yearlong campaign. We will appeal to different political parties to join the campaign as it will be a social initiative to stop the dowry practice in the state," she said. Pune: NCP (SP) has decided to carry out a statewide anti-dowry campaign from next month for a year, against the backdrop of Vaishnavi Hagawane's death case. NCP (SP) working president Supriya Sule on Saturday said, "It is really unfortunate that such an incident of dowry-death has happened in a progressive state like Maharashtra. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like One of the Most Successful Investors of All Time, Warren Buffett, Recommends: 5 Books for Turning... Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Click Here Undo It is not a suicide but a murder case, and we must speak on the issue of dowry to prevent any such incidents in the future." Vaishnavi was found dead at her marital home in Pune's Bhukum area on May 16. Supriya said the anti-dowry campaign of NCP (SP) would be initiated from June 22 in various parts of the state. "Rising above the party lines, we will have to address the issue of dowry. Therefore, we have decided to start a statewide anti-dowry campaign from June 22. It will be a yearlong campaign. We will appeal to different political parties to join the campaign as it will be a social initiative to stop the dowry practice in the state," she said.
Indian Express
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Caste census, Sharad Pawar factor, OBC politics: Why Chhagan Bhujbal is again man of the hour
At 77 years, Chhagan Bhujbal makes yet another comeback – returning to the Maharashtra Cabinet Tuesday, as the Mahayuti government seeks in him a strong OBC face, as a replacement for Dhananjay Munde. The induction of Bhujbal means the NCP retains its quota of ministers in the coalition, as well as placates the leader who had been upset over being denied a post in the Mahayuti government. Munde stepped down recently amid growing pressure over the alleged involvement of his aide in the murder of sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh. A known survivor, Bhujbal has again demonstrated the trait that has helped him through the many ups and downs in his long political career, including a stint in prison. Since the Mahayuti government returned to power six months ago and he found himself out of a ministerial berth, Bhujbal has ensured he remained a weighty voice in state politics taking strong positions on contentious issues such as the proposed caste census. As the BJP government at the Centre bit the bullet on the issue, it made it more and more difficult for the Mahayuti to ignore Bhubal, with OBCs set to gain the most from a caste census. Bhujbal is believed to be one of the initial voices to have raised the issue of ascertaining the exact population of OBCs across the country. When the Centre said a caste census would be held along with the next Census, Bhujbal was among the first to cheer the Narendra Modi government's decision. For NCP chief Ajit Pawar, who is a Maratha, leading a party seen as essentially pro-Maratha, the appointment of Bhujbal as minister can be a countervailing force. Marathas have been at odds with OBCs over the issue of reservation, and Bhujbal has been one of the most prominent leaders opposing such a quota for Marathas. Bringing Bhujbal back in the tent is also useful for Ajit at a time when there is growing buzz of his party getting back together with the NCP (SP) led by Sharad Pawar. Bhujbal continues to enjoy an excellent rapport with Sharad Pawar, despite going with Ajit in the NCP split. A week ago, commenting on a possible merger of the two NCP factions, Bhujbal said: 'If families which have strained relations reunite, it is a happy moment. The coming together of the NCP and NCP (SP) will make us stronger collectively.' With his return to the Cabinet Tuesday, Bhujbal has shut the naysayers who predicted that his non-induction as minister after the 2024 Assembly polls meant the beginning of the end for him. A senior NCP leader requesting anonymity had then observed, 'Bhujbal has held important posts both in the government as well as the organisation. Now, he has to take a backseat and make way for youngsters.' It wasn't the first time someone underestimated Bhujbal, who once upon a time made a living as a fruit vendor. His lucky break came with his association with the late Sena founder Bal Thackeray. After securing a diploma in mechanical engineering, Bhujbal joined the Sena under Bal Thackeray's leadership, and climbed the rungs after starting out as a corporator. In 1991, when he left the then united Sena to join the Congress along with 16 MLAs, he dealt a big blow to the party and Thackeray himself. The mastermind behind it was believed to be Sharad Pawar, then a Union Defence Minister, though the Thackerays' Maratha politics also played a role. Later, when Sharad Pawar founded his own party, the NCP, in June 1999, parting ways with the Congress over Sonia Gandhi's 'foreign origins', Bhujbal joined him. He went on to become the NCP president, and held important portfolios in governments in which the NCP was a part. On July 2, 2023, he surprised many by siding with Ajit Pawar in his rebellion against Sharad Pawar. The belief of many was that Bhujbal was seeking peace with the BJP, as he was facing many corruption allegations. He had already spent a two-year stint in jail (2016-18), and was understandably wary. After Ajit Pawar's NCP tied up with the BJP, Bhujbal was among the top choices for minister. Now he returns there, the hiatus over.
