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Time of India
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Terrorism was not saffron, will never be: CM
Mumbai: Immediately after the special NIA court delivered its verdict in the Malegaon blast case, CM Devendra Fadnavis posted on social media, "Terrorism was not saffron, is not, will never be." State BJP leaders hailed the verdict and slammed Congress for use of the term "Hindu terror," while Dy CM and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde said those who had coined the term 'saffron terror' had "got a slap in the face from the courts. " Speaking to the media, Fadnavis demanded the Congress apologise to the entire Hindu community. He said the Congress-led UPA govt had tried to set a false narrative about 'Hindu terrorism' to appease minorities during elections. "How false was the claim that there is 'Hindu terrorism,' 'saffron terror' has been exposed today," he said. "A conspiracy was hatched to show there is 'Hindu terrorism' by Congress and UPA, which the court has rejected with evidence," he said. Fadnavis is also state home minister. A week ago, on the train blasts case verdict of Bombay HC, he had said it was "shocking" and announced the state's intention to challenge it in SC, which it did the next day. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai On Shiv Sena (UBT)'s question about who had carried out the blast if everyone has been acquitted, Fadnavis said police will respond to it. "What kind of investigation was done at the time will have to be asked to the agency at the time. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No More Belly Fat! A Few Minutes a Day Can Transform You! Learn More Undo The govt was of those with whom the Thackerays are aligned today, and it is their police that has done the investigation. My expectation was they should have complimented that the narrative of 'saffron terror' has been unsuccessful, but perhaps because they have gone with those who do appeasement they are asking these questions," he said. Fadnavis said he would not blame the police. The Congress-led UPA govt had hatched a conspiracy, and to fulfill it, there was pressure on the police machinery. "The police were working under pressure, and they were told there were several incidents of bomb blasts and worldwide a term 'Islamic terrorism' was coined after 9/11. In response to that or to convert the extremists into a votebank, a conspiracy was hatched to bring forth 'saffron terrorism' and appease the minorities by UPA. It is clear these cases have happened from these efforts. UPA more than the police is responsible for it," Fadnavis said. Revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said the verdict is an exposure of a long-running political conspiracy to defame Hindus. Shinde said, "The innocent have got justice. When arrests happened, UPA was in office. Netas then said terror has no colour but in the Malegaon case, they said it was saffron terror... This was a conspiracy and the accused were trapped in the conspiracy." He added, "We are taking forward Balasaheb Thackeray's Hindutva, so we will fight terror, support patriots."
Time of India
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Congress, Sena (UBT), NCP (SP) cautious on 2008 blast case acquittals: BJP seeks apology
Mumbai: When the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) investigated the Malegaon blasts of 2008 and implicated Pragya Thakur and Lt Col Purohit in the blast case the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party who were in an alliance went to town slamming the BJP and RSS for ' Hindutva terror and saffron terror'. While the BJP and the Shiv Sena had slammed the two parties for framing 'Hindus', Thursday's verdict by a NIA court has seen a shift in the stance of all the parties barring the BJP. As the BJP went to town slamming the Congress and asking it to apologise for framing 'Hindus' in the blasts case. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Finance MCA Others Project Management Healthcare Design Thinking Operations Management Product Management MBA Technology Data Analytics Cybersecurity others Data Science healthcare Digital Marketing Public Policy Management Leadership Artificial Intelligence PGDM Degree Data Science CXO Skills you'll gain: Duration: 9 Months IIM Calcutta SEPO - IIMC CFO India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 7 Months S P Jain Institute of Management and Research CERT-SPJIMR Fintech & Blockchain India Starts on undefined Get Details Maharashtra BJP spokesperson Keshav Upadhye said that the NIA court verdict had 'foiled the Congress plot of accusing seven Hindu nationalist just to appease the minority community.' "It has now been proven that this was a widespread conspiracy to defame the Hindu community and gain political benefits by appeasing the minority community." Maharashtra Congress President Harshvardhan Sakpal meekly countered the verdict by saying, "There is no dispute that the blasts happened, and people died. Where did the culprits go, this is the obvious question? Who is the culprit? They should be caught, and the government should punish them. Martyred Hemant Karkare (then ATS Chief) was very sensitive and capable. What happened to the clues that he had uncovered? This is an unanswered question, it is the government's responsibility to punish the culprits."said Sakpal. The Shiv Sena under Uddhav Thackeray had in 2008 had attacked the Congress and the then ATS Chief Hemant Karkare personally in the party mouthpiece 'Saamana' for his investigations in the Malegaon case. On Thursday however the Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray Sena sang a different tune. Hours before the verdict, Saamana Editor and its Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut said "A number of important people are involved in this case. The government has taken a stand on that issue. We had taken a different stand then; we are also looking at the case." Live Events Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde who heads the Shiv Sena said that the NIA court has 'wiped away the stain unfairly placed on the Hindus.' "Though delayed justice has finally been done. Truth can never be defeated. The Shiv Sena stood firmly with the accused from the beginning as we always believed in their innocence." The NCP (sp) which had also gone all out against the BJP and RSS in 2008 also was very subdued in its reaction to the Malegaon blasts verdict .
Time of India
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Jayakwadi dam gates open after storage crosses 90%
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: For the first time since 1979, the Jayakwadi dam has started discharging water in July, as its storage capacity crossed the 90%-mark. On Thursday, authorities opened a total of 18 gates by half-a-foot each, releasing 9,432 cusecs into the Godavari river. The opening of the gates at Jayakwadi, one of Asia's largest dams with as many as 27 gates, drew large crowds who were eager to witness the unusual spectacle. Security personnel were also present to ensure public safety and prevent people from getting too close to the surging water. Before the discharge commenced, water resources minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil performed the traditional "jalpoojan" ceremony. "Efforts will be made to divert 65 billion cubic feet of water from the Godavari, which would otherwise flow into the sea, to water-deficient regions. This initiative aligns with the CM's vision of making Maharashtra drought-free," he said. Following the water release, the administration has issued an alert to the villages situated along the banks of Godavari, advising them to remain vigilant. During the function, Shiv Sena MLA Vilas Bhumre demanded that the dam's water be supplied through a closed-pipeline system to prevent wastage. MLAs Ramesh Bornare, Himmat Udan, Vitthalrao Langhe and Vijaysingh Pandit, along with Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district collector Dilip Swami, water resources department executive director Santosh Tirmanwar, superintendent engineers Prashant Sant and Samadhan Sabbinwar were also present. Jayakwadi currently holds 95.15 TMC of water, with the storage level at 90.13%. On Thursday, the water level in the reservoir stood at 1,520.18 ft, with an inflow of 16,230 cusecs. "The discharge is being carried out as per the dam's reservoir regulation guidelines," said the authorities. Vikhe-Patil said govt is encouraging renewable energy projects such as a 12 MW hydropower unit and floating solar panels on the dam. He also announced Rs150 crore for the Brahm Gavhan lift irrigation scheme, promising its completion within a year. "Desilting of the Jayakwadi dam to enhance its storage capacity will also be taken up," he said.
Time of India
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ekanth Shinde lands in Delhi, 2nd visit in 3 weeks raises brows
Mumbai: Days after chief minister Devendra Fadnavis visited Delhi and met top BJP leaders and Union ministers to accelerate approvals and secure financial assistance for infrastructure and environmental projects in Maharashtra, his deputy Eknath Shinde arrived at the national capital on Thursday and held a review meeting with Shiv Sena MPs. He reportedly met senior BJP leaders too. This was Shinde's second trip to Delhi in less than a month. On July 11, he had gone there amid the monsoon session of the state legislature and met Union home minister Amit Shah among other leaders. According to political observers, Shinde's visit to Delhi when his party, Shiv Sena, is facing several controversies and amid talk of a Shiv Sena (UBT)-MNS alliance is significant. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai Sources claimed Shinde discussed the ongoing tussle within the Mahayuti alliance, demands for the resignation of tainted ministers, and the Uddhav and Raj Thackeray reunion ahead of the BMC polls. Shinde was also allegedly under fire over probes ordered against Sena ministers and the opposition attacking its 'errant' ministers. Shinde, however, said it was not a "surprise" visit and he "routinely" goes to Delhi when Parliament session is on. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Ranked: The 25 Best Cities To Live In The World Learn More Undo "I took a meeting with Shiv Sena MPs since the monsoon session of Parliament is on. We are part of NDA and so we are with govt on major issues. I also discussed issues related to Maharashtra that have to be taken up with the Centre..., Shinde said. "If there is a need to meet ministers for development work, I will do that also..." He further claimed that several former BMC corporators, including 123 from Mumbai, have joined them. "This is a good sign. We have resolved issues and fast-tracked issues. Those who ruled BMC for 20 been taught a lesson. Now, Mumbaikars will teach them a lesson in the BMC elections." With both Fadnavis and Shinde visiting Delhi and the former meeting governor C P Radhakrishnan on Wednesday, there was speculation of a cabinet reshuffle. Senior BJP functionaries, however, said that there would be no cabinet reshuffle as of now with local body polls round the corner.
Indian Express
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Maharashtra deputy CM Shinde visits Delhi, meets Shiv Sena MPs and senior Union Ministers
Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde visited Delhi on Thursday to hold meetings with Shiv Sena MPs and senior Union Ministers, triggering renewed speculation about a possible cabinet reshuffle. However, BJP as well as Shinde led Sena functionaries have downplayed any immediate changes in the MahaYuti government. The visit comes just days after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis met senior BJP leaders and Union Ministers in the capital to discuss key infrastructure and funding proposals. The back-to-back visits by the two leaders have set off political chatter, especially amid growing strains within the alliance. Shinde, who arrived in Delhi late Wednesday night, had a packed schedule on Thursday before returning to Mumbai. During his visit, he chaired a review meeting with MPs from his faction of the Shiv Sena, focusing on their parliamentary performance, constituency-level concerns, and coordination with the Centre. He is also learnt to have followed up on pending development issues with Union Ministers. 'Since the monsoon session of Parliament is underway, I came to Delhi to hold discussions with our MPs and meet Union Ministers. I always come to Delhi during the parliamentary session to hold a meeting with the party MPs. As an NDA ally, we support the Centre on key issues and are pushing for Maharashtra's development. Ours is a double-engine government and our efforts are aligned with that goal,' Shinde told reporters further dismissing the possibility of any reshuffle. Highlighting the party's growing support in Mumbai, Shinde said 123 former BMC corporators have recently joined his faction. 'This is a good sign ahead of the civic polls. Those who ruled the BMC for 20 years and treated it like a hen that lays golden eggs have been taught a lesson. Mumbaikars will teach them another one in the coming elections,' he said, in a swipe at the Shiv Sena (UBT). According to party sources, Shinde also interacted with office-bearers and representatives from other states, as part of the Sena's broader organisational outreach. 'These engagements are crucial as the party looks to expand beyond Maharashtra,' a senior party leader said. In line with this strategy, the Shinde-led Shiv Sena is expected to hold a national executive meeting in Delhi in the coming weeks. State presidents and senior leaders from across India are expected to participate, with discussions likely to focus on party expansion and programme planning. The visit comes at a politically sensitive time. The government is under fire from the Opposition over corruption allegations against some ministers, and there are growing demands for their resignation. Simultaneously, talks of a possible alliance between Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) and Raj Thackeray's MNS ahead of the BMC elections have added to the political uncertainty. Earlier this week, Deputy CM Fadnavis met Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and other senior Union Ministers to push for major funding proposals. Fadnavis also met Maharashtra Governor Ramesh Bais on Thursday, fuelling speculation about a cabinet reshuffle or portfolio changes. However, BJP leaders have maintained that there is no plan for an immediate reshuffle.
