Politics
Uddhav Thackeray Stares At Identity Crisis As Maharashtra Pounding Settles ‘Real Shiv Sena’ Debate
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Uddhav Thackeray seems to have been unable to turn the optimism after the Lok Sabha elections into votes, signaling the lack of a cohesive strategy
Have the Maharashtra results forever quelled the debate over the real Shiv Sena? Saturday proved to be one of the toughest days in the political journey of Uddhav Thackeray as the former chief minister led his faction of the Sena to its worst show, handing the state to the BJP-led Mahayuti and proving Eknath Shinde right — the voters had decided who the real Sena was.
Before the 2024 assembly polls, Uddhav Thackeray was confident that the people of the state — who had always upheld the legacy of his father Balasaheb Thackeray — would punish Shinde for leading a rebellion that split the party into two. To add insult to injury, the former chief minister lost his claim to the iconic bow and arrow symbol of the Sena, seemingly losing his grip over Balasaheb’s heritage. This was also a legacy that Shinde was vying for and finally succeeded in achieving.
Throughout the election campaign, Shinde invoked Balasaheb’s memory to claim that his son had strayed from his path by aligning with ideologically opposed Congress and Sharad Pawar’s NCP, dumping its long-term ally BJP. The voters too seem to have internalised Shinde’s message.
As of 5pm, the Shinde’s Sena is leading in 56 seats while Uddhav’s camp is ahead on 21. The Maharashtra chief minister’s victory comes close on the heels of his camp’s strike rate in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where he won seven of 15 seats, compared to Uddhav Thackeray’s nine of 21 seats.
So, what went wrong for the former chief minister? Political experts believe while Uddhav Thackeray was catering to the minorities, the Mahayuti kept its focus on the development schemes such as Ladki Bahin and the need for OBC consolidation. In a rally, Shinde termed Shiv Sena (UBT) “divisive”, slamming their ‘flaming torch’ symbol. “They call it a symbol of revolution, but it sets homes ablaze and divides communities,” Shinde had said.
Uddhav Thackeray also seems to have been unable to turn the optimism after the Lok Sabha elections into votes, signaling the lack of a cohesive strategy which left voters disillusioned as there was no strong narrative to bind them.
News18 had also reported that the tussle for the chief minister’s chair could be one of the major reasons why the MVA was unable to woo voters as fractured cadre were busy canvassing for their own leaders instead of putting up a united front.
One of the earliest swipes at Uddhav Thackeray came from Eknath Shinde’s son Shrikant Shinde who invoked Balasaheb once again. “Shiv Sena is not a private limited company… people have shown who is taking Balasaheb’s ideals forward,” said Shrikant.
In the run-up to the elections, Uddhav Thackeray had challenged Fadnavis at an internal party meeting —“Either you survive or I”. On Saturday, the former chief minister’s words must be coming back to haunt him, given the buzz in Maharashtra about Fadnavis being considered for the chief minister’s crown.
For now, as Uddhav Thackeray licks his wounds, the need of the hour is to lay down a roadmap for the fractured party to rise from the ashes — not just for itself but also the INDIA bloc that has suffered yet another blow with the Maharashtra mandate.
Politics
‘PM Modi Won’t Take More Than Two Days To Defeat Bangladesh’: Shiv Sena MLA Nilesh Rane
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Shiv Sena MLA Nilesh Rane said Hindu community just has one country – India. Nepal is also a Hindu majority country, but number of community members is very less in Himalayan nation.
Shiv Sena MLA Nilesh Rane on Tuesday claimed India will save Hindus in Bangladesh, where they are facing attacks, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi can defeat the neighbouring nation in “48 hours”.
Speaking at a rally organised in Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra to protest against atrocities on minority Hindus in Bangladesh, Rane said India is being surrounded by all sides everyday.
He said the Hindu community just has one country – India. Nepal is also a Hindu majority country, but the number of community members is very less in the Himalayan nation.
“Muslims have many countries. If you (Muslims) do not like our country then leave,” the ruling coalition MLA maintained.
Hindu women are being kidnapped and stones are being pelted on Ganpati, Ram Navmi and Hanuman Jayanti rallies/processions in Maharashtra, alleged the MLA whose party is aligned with the BJP.
“We will save Hindus in Bangladesh. There is (PM) Narendra Modi for that. But it is our responsibility to save our country. Do not let your guard down. Modi ji will not take more than two days to defeat Bangladesh. We will defeat Bangladesh in 48 hours,” the Shiv Sena legislator told the gathering in his home district.
Nilesh Rane is son of former Maharashtra chief minister Narayan Rane and elder brother of BJP MLA Nitesh Rane, who has been accused of make provocative speeches.
Nilesh Rane, a former BJP member, joined the Shiv Sena led by deputy CM Eknath Shinde ahead of the last month’s assembly polls and won from Kudal in Sindhudurg district.
Meanwhile, in Thane district, the Sakal Hindu Samaj, on the occasion of World Human Rights Day, organized an event to highlight atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh and express solidarity with them.
A delegation representing the organization met with Thane district collector Ashok Shingare and Police Commissioner Ashutosh Dhumbre, and submitted a memorandum outlining their concerns and demands.
The memorandum brought attention to the “inhumane treatment and violence faced by Hindus in Bangladesh,” and urged the Indian government to take “swift and decisive action” to address the crisis.
To amplify their message, the Sakal Hindu Samaj organized a “silent march” in Thane on Sunday, as part of the “Bangladesh Hindu Nyaya Yatra” (Bangladesh Hindu Justice March).
The campaign also extended to Vasai in Palghar district, where hundreds of citizens took part in the yatra. The march was led by BJP leader Mahendra Patil.
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)
- Location :
Sindhudurg, India
Politics
INDIA Bloc To Move Supreme Court Over EVM Concerns
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The decision to approach the Supreme Court against the Election Commission was announced by Prashant Jagtap, leader of the NCP-Sharad Pawar who lost the assembly elections from the Hadapsar seat in Pune
The opposition INDIA bloc in Maharashtra is set to move the Supreme Court over alleged manipulation of EVMs in the recent assembly elections.
The decision to approach the Supreme Court against the Election Commission was announced by Prashant Jagtap, leader of the NCP-Sharad Pawar who lost the assembly elections from the Hadapsar seat in Pune.
The decision was announced after a meeting between NCP-SP chief Sharad Pawar, AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal and noted lawyer and Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi here.
Pawar has been meeting leaders of his party who lost the assembly elections.
The INDIA bloc has claimed that it lost the elections in Maharashtra due to alleged manipulation of EVMs in favour of the BJP-led Mahayuti coalition.
In the elections held last month, the BJP-led Mahayuti coalition won 235 seats in the 288-member House while the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance bagged 46.
During the meeting, Kejriwal flagged concerns related to voter lists in Delhi where assembly elections are due early next year.
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)
Politics
Jagdeep Dhankhar Vs Opposition: What Next For Vice-President After Motion For Removal?
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Opposition’s motion of removal against Jagdeep Dhankhar: The notice, as per article 67(B) of the Constitution, will have to be put to vote first in the Rajya Sabha and, if needed, later in the Lok Sabha
A total of 60 MPs from opposition parties have submitted a notice to the Rajya Sabha Secretary General, demanding a motion for removal of Rajya Sabha chairman and Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar
The MPs from the Congress, Trinamool Congress (TMC), Samajwadi Party (SP), Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and other INDIA bloc allies have alleged that Dhankhar’s conduct is biased and therefore unbecoming of his position as the chairperson of the Rajya Sabha.
Article 67(b) of the Constitution of India states that the Vice-President can be removed from office by a resolution of the council of states. The resolution must be passed by a majority of the council of states and agreed to by the House of the People. Before a resolution can be moved, at least 14 days’ notice must be given of the intention to move the resolution.
For the first time in the 72-year history of the Rajya Sabha, Opposition Parties have formally submitted a no-confidence motion against the Chairman.There have been three occasions, however, when a no-confidence motion has been moved against the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. pic.twitter.com/DHjo5vqL2K
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) December 10, 2024
WHAT NEXT?
The notice, as per article 67(B) of the Constitution, will have to be put to vote first in the Rajya Sabha and, if needed, later in the Lok Sabha.
Constitutional expert P D T Achari told News18 that the Rajya Sabha rule book makes no mention of any provision for removal of the chairperson. However, article 67 of the Constitution provides for the procedure for impeachment of the Vice-President of India. “The motion moved by the opposition will have to be put to vote in the Rajya Sabha. If a majority votes in favour, then it will be sent to the Lok Sabha. The Vice-President can be removed only if a majority of members in both the houses vote to impeach him,” Achary said.
#WATCH | On Opposition’s no-confidence motion against Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh says, ” In the last 72 years, it is the first time that Opposition parties have submitted a motion over Rajya Sabha Chairman. This shows how the situation has… pic.twitter.com/ySiO4r8D7u— ANI (@ANI) December 10, 2024
GOVERNMENT’S STAND
Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju condemned the move by the INDIA bloc, but said the government did not have a problem in accepting the notice and getting it voted upon. Rijiju, however, pointed out that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) enjoys a majority in Parliament and all NDA MPs have full faith in the chairperson. “This notice is a diversionary tactic because the Congress is scared and disturbed over the Soros revelation. Dhankhar is a Jat, son of a farmer. We condemn this move to target him,” Rijiju said.
14 DAYS REQUIREMENT
As per article 67, a 14-day notice must be given before any resolution to remove the Vice-President is voted upon. Achari clarified that although this is an unprecedented situation, a bare reading of the Constitution suggests that the resolution moved by the opposition can be taken up in the next session of Parliament as less than 10 working days remain in the winter session. “A special session of the two houses can be called or the notice can be voted upon in the next session,” he told News18.
UNPRECEDENTED MOVE
Dhankhar has become the first Vice-President in the history of Independent India to face such a motion for removal. The numbers in both the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha favour the ruling side, but the opposition insists on “putting on record the bias of the Chair”.
“As Chairperson, the manner in which Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar conducts parliamentary affairs of the Rajya Sabha is extremely partisan. It is a matter of record that Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar has repeatedly interrupted members of the Opposition while they are speaking, unfairly used privilege motions to silence leaders of the opposition, and openly delegitimized dissent with respect to the actions of the Government in the utmost disparaging manner,” the notice alleges.
It adds that his open praise for the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and calling himself an “Ekalavya of the RSS” is proof of his bias. Rijiju dismissed the charge and said there was nothing wrong with praising an organisation like the RSS.
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