Latest news with #NarkatlaSwarg
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Kolhapur model for the local polls?
What happened at the election of the chairperson of Kolhapur District Milk Producers Federation, popularly known by its milk brand, Gokul, has grabbed attention in political circles. The federation is a major cooperative of milk producer farmers in Kolhapur district of western Maharashtra, with an annual turnover of over ₹3,000 crore. The control over Gokul comes with significant political influence in the region. For two decades, it was controlled by local political heavyweight Mahadev Mahadik. His son Dhananjay is BJP Rajya Sabha MP and another son Amal is an BJP MLA. The anti-Mahadik front of local politicians, comprising mainly of Congress leader Satej Patil and NCP minister Hasan Mushrif, wrested power from him four years ago. The election for Gokul's chairperson was due again and Mahayuti leaders at the instance of Mahadiks used their influence to get a pro-Mahayuti candidate elected at the helm. The outgoing chairman Arun Dengle rallied his strength behind Shiv Sena. The leaders of the front sprang a surprise by getting Mushrif's son Navid elected unopposed for the post. Though Mushrif is now with Mahayuti, Patil's aides say he chose to throw his weight behind Mushrif's son to keep the Mahadiks away from the control of Gokul. The development surprised many in political circles but also underlined the fact that local calculations matter in local level politics—whether it is in cooperative units or local self-government bodies. It is an indication of what may happen in the elections to Zilla Parishads or district councils to be held after the monsoon. When it comes to the local politics in rural Maharashtra, party lines often blur and local calculations prevail. Social justice minister Shirsat's trouble Social justice minister and Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Shirsat is also in the news because of his son but for the wrong reasons. First, Shirsat's son Siddhant was accused of harassment and threats by a woman who claimed that she had married him. After sending a legal notice to Siddhant, the woman backtracked and said she had no complaints against the former. Just as Shirsat was heaving a sigh of relief, Opposition leader in the legislative council Ambadas Danve questioned the process of auctioning a hotel in Aurangabad. Siddhant's company won the auction to buy the property for ₹67 crore. On Saturday, Danve said Siddhant had declared ₹59 lakh annual income in his tax return and asked how could he mobilise ₹67 crore to buy the hotel. He also demanded that Shirsat disclose the names of Siddhant's four partners. An irked Shirsat insisted that Siddhant took a loan for the deal and also wondered aloud, in Shiv Sena style, 'Shouldn't Marathi manoos get into business?' Raut's message to Eknath Shinde Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut surely knows how to keep his recently published book, Narkatla Swarg (heaven in hell) in focus. The book is based on his 100-day stay in Arthur Road prison because of an Enforcement Directorate case against him. He sent copies of his book to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde and MNS chief Raj Thackeray along with personal letters that he posted on his social media handles. 'I know you love reading so I am sending this book,' he wrote to Fadnavis and Thackeray. For Shinde, though, his message was different. 'You will definitely like my attempt to tell the people that you can retain your self-respect without bowing down to the excesses of BJP sponsored agencies such as ED and CBI,' Raut has written in the letter sent to Shinde alongwith the book. He has also caustically pointed out that Shinde was a witness to his struggle against BJP and central government agencies. Whether Shinde took a peek at the book or not is anybody's guess. Munde finds solace in Vipassana Former minister and NCP leader Dhananjay Munde who was in the eye of a storm following the brutal murder of Beed sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh, which led to him losing his ministerial berth, is attending a Vipassana meditation course in Igatpuri. The chances of Munde returning to the state cabinet are slim, with the recent inclusion of Chhagan Bhujbal in his place. He is also suffering from Bell's Palsy, a neurological disorder that affects facial muscles. 'He has done the right thing. He will get some peace of mind,' remarked Dhananjay's cousin and environment minister Pankaja Munde when she was asked about the meditation course. Helping hand A video of Pragati, a teenager who was wondering how her father could pay her school fees after their onion crop was damaged in the rains, went viral last week. The Darekar family was in tears as their crop was completely destroyed due to the rains. Shiv Sena (UBT) legislator Milind Narvekar reached out to the family and sent a cheque of ₹1 lakh to the family in Beed for Pragati's education. He also told the family to reach out to him if they needed anything more.
Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
'In India, hating Pakistan is how you show loyalty'
Veteran actor Hina Bayat weighed in on the controversy surrounding Indian poet and lyricist Javed Akhtar, whose recent remarks against Pakistan have sparked outrage across the border. Speaking on a local television show on Wednesday, Bayat criticised Akhtar's "hateful" comments, suggesting that his words were less about conviction and more about performance. "I think he made those hateful comments because he wanted to feel relevant," Bayat said during the segment. "He had to prove somehow that he is 'very Indian' so he used Pakistan for that purpose." Her remarks come in response to a statement Akhtar made during a press conference in India earlier this month, where he controversially declared: "If I have to choose between going to hell and going to Pakistan, I would prefer to go to hell." Akhtar made his controversial remark during the launch of Narkatla Swarg, a book by Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut, itself a politically loaded event. In such a volatile climate, words carry weight, and Akhtar's were more than just a personal preference. The Indian lyricist has made several visits to Pakistan in the past, most notably as an honoured guest at the Faiz Festival in Lahore earlier this year, where he was warmly welcomed. In contrast, amid the growing strain in IndiaPakistan relations in recent years, his rhetoric has taken a sharper, more critical turn, one that many in Pakistan interpret as politically driven or opportunistic. Bayat echoed that sense of betrayal, calling for a reevaluation of who Pakistan offers its legendary hospitality to. "In India, hating Pakistan is the way you show how loyal you are," she said. "But I request Lahoris: do not host such people in the future. We Pakistanis are hospitable, we'll sit at the knees of elders, but that man does not deserve it." Bayat's comments were among the more composed yet cutting responses from Pakistani public figures. Actor Mishi Khan, for instance, slammed Akhtar on Instagram, saying, "Javed Akhtar has chosen the perfect place for himself. No one in Pakistan will invite him again." Actor Imran Abbas wrote that Akhtar will "go to hell regardless," sarcastically adding that Pakistan had given him a business class welcome "though he wasn't even worthy of economy." Meanwhile, former MPA Sharmila Farooqui called the remarks "deeply disrespectful," and actors like Asim Mehmood issued subtler but stinging responses of their own.
Hindustan Times
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Sachin Waze's reinduction into police ruined things for MVA: Sanjay Raut
MUMBAI: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut has said in his book, 'Narkatla Swarg', that if assistant police inspector Sachin Waze had not been re-inducted into the police, many bitter moments of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government could have been avoided. Raut's book, which was released on Saturday, is about his days in Arthur Road Central Prison when he was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate for alleged money-laundering in the Patra Chawl scam case. Raut has also reiterated that the then home minister Anil Deshmukh had no role in reinstating Waze, and he was brought back despite opposition from various quarters. Waze was put in charge of the Mumbai police's Crime Intelligence Unit during the MVA government headed by Uddhav Thackeray. The controversial police officer was arrested in the murder of Mansukh Hiren, one of the accused in the Antilia bomb scare case, and is facing a slew of cases. He was also facing charges in the custodial death case of accused Khwaja Yunus. Earlier, he was associated with the Shiv Sena's IT cell. Speaking to the media on Sunday, Raut said that he had personally met NCP chief Sharad Pawar, urging him not to reinstate Waze, and Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Asim Azmi was witness to this. 'I told Pawar saheb that Waze's reinstatement could lead to controversies, but the decision had already been taken,' said Raut. Abu Azmi confirmed that Sanjay Raut had opposed Waze's return to the Mumbai police. 'When I came to know that there was a proposal to reinstate him, I met Sharad Pawar and requested him to stop the process, as Waze was an accused in the Khwaja Yunus case,' he said. 'Sanjay Raut had also opposed it but Waze was reinstated anyway.' The book says that Waze could not have been reinstated without the consent of the police commissioner. 'Someone had recommended his reinstatement. Someone in the government should have stopped it. I was not home minister or chief minister so I can't say much on it now,' Raut stated. The book noted that one group had an interest in reinstating Waze, and Anil Deshmukh had to pay the price for this. 'The entire trial against Deshmukh was due to the statement made by Waze, who is a criminal. Waze's statements were used by the then opposition parties (the BJP) to target the government. But his statements were not accepted by the courts and this was a blow to the Enforcement Directorate. Deshmukh and Waze may have met just once for briefing on a legislature-related query,' says the book. The book also mentions that Waze was extorting money for 'Number 1', and this was not Deshmukh but the then Mumbai police commissioner Parambir Singh. HT attempted to contact Singh but he did not respond to calls. His successor Sanjay Pandey refused to comment.
Time of India
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Dists told to review crop damage: Ajit Pawar
1 2 Pune: The state govt has directed district administrations to review crop losses caused by pre-monsoon showers , deputy chief minister and state finance minister Ajit Pawar said on Sunday. He was speaking with reporters after voting at the cooperative sugar mill election in Baramati. "Thunderstorms and heavy showers have damaged some crops. We have instructed that the ground situation in districts under Pune division and others be reviewed. Affected farmers will be compensated as per rules," he said. Pawar said the weather department had declared a heavy rainfall alert in 13 districts of the state. "The heat intensity was high till now, but has reduced of late. Some summer crops, especially onions and bananas, are getting damaged, while crops like sugarcane are benefiting from the change in weather condition. There should be an assessment of standing crops which have been damaged," he said. Asked about the election of the Shri Chhatrapati cooperative sugar mill and his massive campaign, Pawar said his family has been associated with the mill for generations. "The poll is not political, but important for the overall development of the factory," he added. "The factory plays a key role in economics of areas and tehsils in the vicinity — like Baramati and Indapur. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Want Lower Bills Without Changing a Thing? elecTrick - Save upto 80% on Power Bill Learn More Undo It impacts the lives of workers and farmers of nearly 53 villages," he said. Meanwhile, Pawar refused to comment on the book, 'Narkatla Swarg' (heaven in hell), written by Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Sanjay Raut. The book has many political allegations against the BJP leadership. "I have not read it and I don't want to speak about books. I will not say anything." The book was launched on Saturday in the presence of UBT Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar and lyricist Javed Akhtar. The book makes a claim that Shiv Sena founder the late Balsaheb Thackeray provided "assistance" to procure bail for current Union home minister Amit Shah, then a Gujarat MLA, in an encounter case by speaking to the judge and a CBI officer. The book has also claimed that Sharad Pawar, during his tenure as UPA minister and as the chief of undivided NCP, opposed plans to arrest PM Narendra Modi, who was then the Gujarat CM, after the 2002 Godhra riots. Politicians from Mahayuti parties BJP and Shiv Sena criticised the book and its content, saying it was all politically motivated.
India Gazette
18-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Learned and highly secular" Udit Raj prides Javed Akhtar over "hell over Pakistan" remarks
New Delhi [India], May 18 (ANI): Congress leader Udit Raj on Sunday praised the recent remarks made by Javed Akhtar at an event in Mumbai, saying that the veteran artist was 'learned and highly secular' and there was no room for doubt regarding his statement. 'He is a highly secular and learned person. He is a talented poet and songwriter. There is no doubt about what he said,' Raj told ANI. Lyricist Javed Akhtar attended the launch of Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut's book Narkatla Swarg (Heaven in the Swamp) in Mumbai on Saturday and said, 'Agar mere paas sirf choice Pakistan aur jahannum yani nark ki hain toh main nark hi jaana pasand karunga.' The event was attended by several political leaders, including Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Uddhav Thackeray and (NCP-SCP) chief Sharad Pawar. While addressing the audience, Akhtar shared how, over the years, he has faced backlash from people due to his outspoken nature. 'People from both sides abuse me. It's not one-sided. I would be very ungrateful if I didn't admit that there are people who also appreciate me. Many support me, praise me, and encourage me,' Akhtar said. 'But this is also true: the extremists from this side also abuse me, and the extremists from that side also abuse. This is the reality. If even one of them stops abusing, I will get worried about what mistake I am making,' he added. 'One says I am a 'kaafir' and will go to hell. The other says I am a jihadi and should go to Pakistan, Akhtar said, adding, 'Toh agar mere paas sirf choice Pakistan aur jahannum yani nark ki hain toh main nark hi jaana pasand karunga.' (ANI)
