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United News of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- United News of India
Maha awaits resignation, says Rohit Pawar amid growing controversy around Agriculture Minister
Mumbai, July 21 (UNI) Maharashtra is eagerly waiting for the resignation of Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate, said NCP-SP MLA Rohit Pawar today, launching a fresh attack on the minister and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP group. 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
Hans India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Visitors barred from entry in Vidhan Bhavan during Legislative session: Maha Assembly Speaker Narwekar
Mumbai: A day after the brawl between the supporters of BJP legislator Gopichand Padalkar and NCP-SP legislator Jitendra Awhad in the lobby of Vidhan Bhavan in Maharashtra, Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar said on Friday that visitors will not be allowed into the Vidhan Bhavan from now onwards during the Legislative session. In his statement, Speaker Narwekar said, "The behaviour of MLAs in the last few days is a matter of concern, we need to follow the Constitution seriously while taking the oath of office. Therefore, from now on, only MLAs and their authorised personal assistants will be allowed into the Vidhan Bhavan. Also, most of the time, Ministers hold meetings in the Vidhan Bhavan, but now the Ministers are also being instructed to hold their meetings in the Mantralaya. If a meeting is to be held in exceptional circumstances, visitors will not be allowed but the concerned department personnel will be given entry." He added that visitors will not be allowed without the approval of the State Legislature's Board. Later on Friday, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, "This Assembly does not belong to MLAs or Ministers. This Assembly belongs to the 14 crore people of Maharashtra. The work of giving direction to the society should be done. If the message is being conveyed through kicking and punching instead through discussion and thought, then everyone needs to reflect. We told both legislators and they expressed regret. The poison emanating from words can be more poisonous than the poison of a snake." The Chief Minister noted, "There should be discipline in this regard. There are six crimes against Sarjerao Takle (a supporter of BJP MLC Gopichand Padalkar). There are eight crimes against Nitin Deshmukh (associated with NCP-SP MLA Jitendra Awhad). It is not right for such a group to come and fight. The decision taken by the Assembly Speaker is right. Just because some people made a mistake, everyone should not be punished." He urged the Assembly Speaker to establish a proper security system saying that henceforth visitors should be allowed in the Vidhan Bhavan only with a valid badge. "Who is responsible if someone comes and commits a terrorist act? MLAs come wearing badges. But visitors should at least have an identity card around their necks. Otherwise, the security guards should take them out," he said. Referring to certain objectionable comment by few legislators on Speaker Narwekar, CM Fadnavis said, "I apologise on behalf of those who made the statements."
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
‘Lawbreakers': Kunal Kamra's new parody targets Mahayuti over Maharashtra Assembly scuffle
Comedian Kunal Kamra on Thursday released a satirical video mocking the recent chaos in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, where a physical altercation broke out between members of the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Nationalist Congress Party – Sharadchandra Pawar faction (NCP-SP). Comedian Kunal Kamra released a satirical video 'Lawbreakers', which mocks the recent Maharashtra Assembly scuffle and takes aim at the Mahayuti leadership. Kamra's montage, posted on social media, featured clips of the scuffle edited to his controversial 'Hum Honge Kamyaab' song. Captioning the video as 'lawbreakers', the footage also included shots of Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde, in an apparante dig to the ruling Mahayuti alliance. The song used in the video is the same as the one he performed during his stand-up special Naya Bharat in March, where he had referred to Eknath Shinde as a 'gaddar' (traitor), drawing sharp reactions from Shinde's camp. Following his stand-up special earlier this year, Kamra faced backlash from members of the Shiv Sena's youth wing, Yuva Sena. The group vandalised the Habitat Comedy Club in Mumbai's Khar area, where Kamra had performed and recorded the show. The new montage appears to be a continuation of his ongoing commentary on the state's political leadership. Kunal Kamra, known for his quirky political satires, had earlier refused to apologise despite facing backlash. He had firmly condemned the violence. Brawl erupts outside Maharashtra Assembly Kamra's post comes after a scuffle broke out between supporters of BJP MLA Gopichand Padalkar and NCP-SP leader Jitendra Awhad at the Maharashtra Legislature complex on Thursday. Video footage of the incident, which went viral, showed members of both groups in a heated confrontation outside the Assembly. Awhad later alleged that he was physically threatened and verbally abused during the clash. 'The whole of Maharashtra knows who the attacker was. We are being asked for evidence again and again, while the whole country has seen who carried out the attack. Goons are being allowed to enter the assembly, posing a threat to the safety of the MLAs. I was abused, threatened with death. Abusive words like 'dog', 'pig' were used. Was this what was expected to happen in the assembly?' Awhad told reporters. Raising concerns over lawmaker safety, he added, 'I just came out after giving a speech, and these people came to confront me. If MLAs are not safe in the assembly, then why should we remain MLAs?' 'Goons have reached Vidhan Sabha' BJP MLA Gopichand Padalkar called the incident 'unfortunate' and offered an apology. 'I am really saddened by what occurred here. This is an unfortunate incident...I express my regret and apologise...' he said. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray criticised the Mahayuti government, saying, 'If goons have reached Vidhan Sabha, then state home minister and chief minister (Devendra Fadnavis) should take responsibility for it. This is very unfortunate. Such conduct at the Vidhan Sabha is not appropriate,' he said. Congress MLA Nana Patole also condemned the violence and urged immediate action. 'We condemn the incident. Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha has always had a examples are cited and taken pride in, across the country. But what happened on the Vidhan Sabha premises today should not happen again – the Assembly Speaker and the CM should take care of this.' He further compared the situation to the 2001 Parliament attack. 'Mumbai is always on high alert. In times like these, with a large number of people accompanying MLAs and ministers, it is a very serious matter that they endanger the security of the Vidhan Sabha. Even the Parliament was not safe; it was also attacked during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government's rule. I believe this is not the sole responsibility of the Speaker. All public representatives should take care of this,' Patole said.
The Hindu
7 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Opposition slams Nitesh Rane for ‘fuelling communal tensions' with azaan remark
Opposition leaders slammed Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Rane on Wednesday (July 16, 2025) for suggesting that Marathi should be used in madrasas and for Azaan (call to prayer) and accused him of fuelling communal trouble for political gains. BJP leader Mr. Rane remarked, 'Opposition should ask Muslims to recite the azaan in Marathi instead of Urdu, and teach Marathi in madrasas. All you get from there is a gun.' Mr. Rane's comments came in response to the Congress reportedly starting Marathi pathshalas (schools) in several parts of Mumbai. His comments have drawn criticism from the Opposition, who claim he is spreading hatred with 'inflammatory' comments. Politically motivated Condemning the remark, NCP-SP State president Shashikant Shinde said, 'Mr. Rane, being a Minister, should raise such issues in the Cabinet and not publicly; who is stopping him?' NCP-SP leader Rohit Pawar called Mr. Rane's remarks politically motivated, similar to the Hindu-Muslim card used in the Lok Sabha elections, and Marathi versus non-Marathi in local polls . 'It is the Home Ministry's duty to investigate whether the madrassa has guns or bombs. Mr. Rane should not divide people for politics, or fuel communal sentiments,' said Mr. Pawar. AIMIM leader Waris Pathan also slammed Mr. Rane for creating unrest in the name of language and religion. 'BJP leaders are spreading hatred for the political gains in Maharashtra, he added.' Congress Leader Amin Patel said madrasasalready use English, Hindi, and Marathi, while azaan is in Arabic. Language and religion are two different things. 'Is Nitesh Rane himself taking any Marathi classes?' he asked sarcastically.
Time of India
14-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Maharashtra To Relax Fragmentation Law, SOP soon: Bawankule
Nagpur: In a major relief to lakhs of urban and semi-urban residents, Maharashtra revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced that the state government has decided to ease provisions under the Tukdebandi (fragmentation) Act. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "All land plots—up to one guntha in size—created in urban zones before January 1, 2025, will be granted legal status. A transparent standard operating procedure (SOP) for their regularisation will be defined within 15 days," Bawankule said in the legislative assembly on Wednesday. Over 50 lakh households are currently grappling with legal uncertainty due to fragmentation norms. Once regularised, affected families will be able to obtain legal documentation and proceed with construction. The announcement drew bipartisan praise from Jayant Patil (NCP-SP), Vijay Wadettiwar (Congress), Vikram Pachpute (BJP), and several others. Bawankule said the move will resolve long-standing issues arising from violations of the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning (MRTP) Act and the fragmentation law. "Clearing these anomalies will facilitate timely registration, building permissions, and official ownership," he stated, while responding to a "calling attention" motion by MLA Amol Khatal. The guardian minister for Nagpur and Amravati also outlined the formation of a four-member committee comprising the additional chief secretaries (revenue and urban development), the Jamabandi Commissioner, and the Inspector General of Registration (IGR) to prepare the SOP. This guideline will clarify procedures for plotting, layout approvals, road infrastructure, registration applications, and construction permissions. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Significantly, it also aims to eliminate middleman interference through a digitally transparent process. The reform will apply to areas under municipal corporations, municipal councils, nagar panchayats, urban development authority zones, and gaothan areas within a 500-meter radius. Additional consideration will be given to buffer zones within 2 km of municipal boundaries, national and state highways, and council-adjacent villages, based on suggestions from MLAs. Bawankule urged legislators to submit suggestions to the revenue additional chief secretary within seven days, so they can be incorporated into the SOP. "This is a one-time regularisation drive. From January 1, 2025, onward, all constructions must comply with planning authority rules. Our aim is justice through clarity, not chaos," he added.
