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Abhay Khairnar

Articles by Abhay Khairnar

With no seat, Congress faces wipeout in Pune city and district

The defeat underscores the party’s shrinking influence in a region once dominated by stalwarts like Mohan Dharia, Vitthalrao Gadgil, and Suresh Kalmadi

Pune

Updated on Nov 24, 2024 08:46 AM IST

ByAbhay Khairnar

BJP wins six city seats, Mahayuti trumps in rural Pune with eight victories

In Pune city, the BJP emerged victorious in Kothrud, Parvati, Shivajinagar, Pune Cantonment, Khadakwasla, and Kasba Peth

BJP workers celebrating victory in the city on Saturday. (MAHENDRA KOLHE/HT PHOTO)

Pune

Updated on Nov 24, 2024 07:18 AM IST

ByAbhay Khairnar, Dheeraj Bengrut

Illegal liquor worth ₹7 crore seized in Pune since poll code came into effect

Pune district seized ₹7 crore in illegal liquor and took action against 1,042 people since the MCC took effect, with 25% of state seizures from Pune.

Action has been taken against 234 vehicles and most of the illegal stock came from neighbouring state Goa. (REPRESENTATIVE PHOTO)

Pune

Updated on Nov 23, 2024 07:58 AM IST

ByAbhay Khairnar

NCP (SP) collect support letters from candidates before poll results

As in the last five years, with the help of the central government, Shiv Sena and NCP got split and many MLAs left the party, to avoid future legal problems, NCP (SP) has taken the decision, said party leaders

“Do not panic by exit polls. The MVA is crossing the magic figure of 157. The candidates should not leave counting centres before collecting the winning certificate,” Pawar said. (HT FILE)

Pune

Updated on Nov 23, 2024 07:44 AM IST

ByAbhay Khairnar

Maharashtra polls: Who'll be the next chief minister? MVA, Mahayuti keep mum

A Sena (UBT) insider remarked, “Recently, Sharad Pawar said in public that he would like to see a woman chief minister in Maharashtra. So anything can happen!”

Pune doesn’t appear to have any dearth of chief ministerial hopefuls. Workers from various political parties have put up banners declaring their respective leaders as the next chief minister. Representative Image. (Photo by Raju Shinde/HT Photo)(Hindustan Times)

Mumbai

Updated on Nov 23, 2024 09:21 AM IST

ByAbhay Khairnar

Pune district records 61.62% voter turnout

The rural areas of Pune district recorded more than 70 per cent voting at Ambegaon, Baramati, Daund, Maval and Indapur

Pune

Updated on Nov 22, 2024 06:46 AM IST

ByAbhay Khairnar

Pune district collector reviews prep for vote counting

The counting will take place at Food Corporation of India (FCI) Koregaon Park, Balewadi Sports Stadium, Chinchwad Kamgar Bhavan and for Shirur it will be held at Ranjangaon MIDC

The necessary police bandobast had been deployed around the counting centres. (REPRESENTATIVE PHOTO)

Pune

Updated on Nov 22, 2024 06:12 AM IST

ByAbhay Khairnar

Who benefits from higher turnout in most districts of western Maha?

While BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis says higher turnout will benefit Mahayuti as people want continuation of schemes launched by the state government, MVA leaders say it reflects the sentiment of anti-incumbency

Pune

Updated on Nov 21, 2024 09:28 AM IST

ByShrinivas Deshpande, Abhay Khairnar

At 53.98% Pune city reports higher voter turnout than 2019, district clocks in at 61.05%

These figures are however most likely to be updated by Thursday as the EC was still collecting the data from different polling stations till the time of going to press

A first-time voter shows her inked finger. (HT PHOTO)

Pune

Updated on Nov 21, 2024 08:26 AM IST

ByAbhay Khairnar

Barring a few incidents, voting in Pune largely peaceful

Republican Party of India leader Siddharth Dhende highlighted incidents of bogus voting in the Ahmednagar Road area

People wait in queue at a voting centre in the city on Wednesday. (HT PHOTO)

Pune

Updated on Nov 21, 2024 08:16 AM IST

ByAbhay Khairnar

Caught between Ajit Pawar and Yugendra, Baramati sees higher turnout

The constituency saw its loyalty divided between a formidable contender - seven-term MLA and deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar – and 32-year-old Yugendra Pawar

The close contest and fierce battle coupled with allegations, emotions and drama, pushed Wednesday’s polling percentage in Baramati to around 72 percent even as the final figures were not in till the time of going to press. (HT PHOTO)

Pune

Updated on Nov 21, 2024 09:06 AM IST

ByAbhay Khairnar

Allegations of violence, cash distribution fly high on eve of polling day

The police have booked four unidentified individuals for an alleged attack on Chandrakant Tingre, the husband of former corporator Surekha Tingre from Wadgaonsheri constituency, near Dhanori in Pune

Polling officials with EVMs and other election material on their way to a polling station ahead of Maharashtra Assembly elections. (HT PHOTO)

Pune

Updated on Nov 20, 2024 07:50 AM IST

ByShrinivas Deshpande, Abhay Khairnar

No clear advantage to either alliance in Pune district

For Mahayuti and MVA, the battle in Pune district is fiercely contested with no clear advantage for either side

Pune

Updated on Nov 19, 2024 07:48 AM IST

ByAbhay Khairnar

Baramati’s battle: Sharad Pawar wants new blood, Ajit seeks continuity

Unlike his speeches at other rallies, Sharad Pawar refrained from directly asking Baramati voters to defeat his estranged nephew Ajit Pawar

Addressing a rally for the NCP (SP) candidate and his grand-nephew Yugendra Pawar, Pawar senior reminisced about his political journey. (HT PHOTO)

Pune

Updated on Nov 19, 2024 09:12 AM IST

ByAbhay Khairnar

Vinesh targets BJP over women’s safety

Asked about the BJP’s claim of ‘vote jihad’ during elections, Phogat, in a scathing comment, asserted if saffron party leaders looked in the mirror, they would know who is doing ‘vote jihad’

Addressing a press conference in the city, she alleged that in Karnataka as well as in Uttar Pradesh, the saffron party stood by those accused of exploiting women. (HT PHOTO)

Pune

Updated on Nov 19, 2024 07:16 AM IST

ByAbhay Khairnar

Maharashtra polls: ‘Vote jihad’ battle intensifies as campaign nears end

Asked about Fadnavis’s appeal to voters, Pawar said it was the BJP leader who had brought up ‘vote jihad,’ referring to minorities favouring the opposition bloc Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in a few constituencies during the Lok Sabha election

Earlier on Friday, BJP leader and home minister Devendra Fadnavis had called for a ‘dharma-yudh of votes’ to counter the ‘vote jihad,’ a reference to a purported appeal by an Islamic scholar for boycott against the BJP-led Mahayuti government. (Hindustan Times)

Pune

Updated on Nov 17, 2024 08:10 AM IST

ByAbhay Khairnar

Dhangekar defends agitations after Fadnavis calls him ‘accidental MLA’

Regarding the pub culture protests, Dhangekar said, as a party, we opposed the late-night pub culture in Pune

Pune

Updated on Nov 17, 2024 07:16 AM IST

ByAbhay Khairnar

Maharashtra polls: Fadnavis slams opposition’s claims of losing projects to Gujarat

The state under the BJP leadership has secured 52 per cent of the total investment in the country, he said

The entire country is 48 per cent and Maharashtra is in 52 per cent. I say, how fortunate Gujarat is. They don’t even need to advertise. The MVA advertises for them, said Fadnavis. (HT FILE)

Pune

Updated on Nov 16, 2024 08:06 AM IST

ByAbhay Khairnar

Parties inviting leaders from other states to campaign in Maha

In case of the BJP, leaders from Haryana, Goa, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat are being invited to campaign in Maharashtra

Pune

Updated on Nov 16, 2024 07:16 AM IST

ByAbhay Khairnar

Cong accuses police, election machinery of inaction in ₹5 crore seizure at Khed Shivapur

Maharashtra State Youth Congress questions Pune rural police and election machinery for not filing FIR for ₹5 crore seizure at Khed Shivapur toll naka despite poll code in force

Pune

Updated on Nov 15, 2024 09:10 AM IST

ByAbhay Khairnar

Mahayuti aims to win all eight assembly seats in Pune city: Murlidhar Mohol

Positioned as a prominent Maratha face for the party amid ongoing agitations led by Manoj Jarange Patil over Maratha reservations, Mohol spoke to HT on the election and Pune’s development

Pune

Updated on Nov 15, 2024 08:38 AM IST

ByAbhay Khairnar

Those who can do corruption in Shivaji Maharaj’s statue project cannot be trusted: Sharad Pawar

Sharad Pawar criticized the Mahayuti government over corruption, inflation, and women’s safety, urging voters to choose the Maha Vikas Aghadi for better governance.

Pune

Updated on Nov 15, 2024 08:32 AM IST

ByAbhay Khairnar

Mother asked us not to let Ajit get isolated further: DCM’s sister

Besides Vijaya Patil, another sibling and cousin Rajni have also joined Ajit’s campaign, with additional support coming from the maternal side of the family

Besides Vijaya Patil, another sibling and cousin Rajni (in pic, right) have also joined Ajit Pawar’s campaign, with additional support coming from the maternal side of the family. (HT)

Pune

Updated on Nov 14, 2024 08:46 AM IST

ByAbhay Khairnar

Ajit Pawar’s luggage inspected amid opposition criticism

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray had recently criticised the Election Commission, alleging that his bags were singled out for checks twice, sharing videos of the incidents on social media

During the inspection, Pawar, who had Diwali snacks in his bags, offered it to the officers. The inspection came on the backdrop of allegations by Uddhav Thackeray about misuse of power. (HT PHOTO)

Pune

Updated on Nov 14, 2024 05:50 AM IST

ByAbhay Khairnar

2019 rivals face off again in Shivajinagar

Shivajinagar assembly constituency is once again at the centre of Pune’s political spotlight, as sitting BJP MLA Siddharth Shirole faces Congress’s Datta Bahirat in a tight rematch

Pune

Updated on Nov 13, 2024 07:18 AM IST

ByAbhay Khairnar

Modi accuses Congress of speaking Pakistan’s language on Article 370

Modi’s rallies in Pune, Solapur, and Chimur were aimed at bolstering support for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Mahayuti alliance

Pune

Updated on Nov 13, 2024 10:04 AM IST

ByAbhay Khairnar, Shrinivas Deshpande

Maharashtra polls: PM Modi to address rally in Pune today, will Sharad Pawar be his target?

The change in strategy is stark given that during Lok Sabha polls, Modi’s “Bhatakti Aatma” remarks cost Mahayuti dearly in some seats

The rally will be held at SP College ground at 5pm. (ANI)

Pune

Updated on Nov 12, 2024 07:08 AM IST

ByAbhay Khairnar

Amid freebies and accusations, development issues take backseat in election campaign

Development issues crucial to Pune and its surrounding rural areas are conspicuously absent from the current election campaign,say citizens

The city faces numerous challenges, including delayed projects like the Ring Road, new international airport at Purandar, and long-standing law and order concerns related to the koyta gang and road rage, traffic discipline, frequent jams, inadequate public transport, expansion of the Metro, noise pollution from DJ systems, and flooding. ((PIC FOR REPRESENTATION))

Pune

Updated on Nov 12, 2024 07:06 AM IST

ByAbhay Khairnar

High-stakes showdown as Congress seeks to defend seat against BJP

During the recent Lok Sabha polls, BJP’s Murlidhar Mohol secured a lead of approximately 14,000 votes from Kasba Peth, indicating a possible shift back in favour of the party

Undeterred by his bypoll loss, Rasne, an OBC candidate, resumed his campaign immediately and became a regular fixture at local events in the constituency. (HT PHOTO)

Pune

Updated on Nov 11, 2024 08:00 AM IST

ByAbhay Khairnar

Onion farmers content as prices up ahead of Maharashtra polls

In Nashik’s wholesale markets, onion prices have climbed from ₹40 last month to ₹60 per kg on Friday, providing a boost for farmers. In contrast, soybean prices have dropped below the Minimum Support Price, falling to as low as ₹3,000 per quintal across Maharashtra

Nashik, India’s largest onion-producing district, hosts the Lasalgaon wholesale market, the country’s biggest for onions. Farmers are currently earning over <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>6,000 per quintal for their summer crop, with prices expected to stay high until new stock arrives. (REPRESENTATIVE PHOTO)

Pune

Updated on Nov 10, 2024 05:18 AM IST

ByAbhay Khairnar

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Abhay Khairnar

The defeat underscores the party’s shrinking influence in a region once dominated by stalwarts like Mohan Dharia, Vitthalrao Gadgil, and Suresh Kalmadi

In Pune city, the BJP emerged victorious in Kothrud, Parvati, Shivajinagar, Pune Cantonment, Khadakwasla, and Kasba Peth

Pune district seized ₹7 crore in illegal liquor and took action against 1,042 people since the MCC took effect, with 25% of state seizures from Pune.

As in the last five years, with the help of the central government, Shiv Sena and NCP got split and many MLAs left the party, to avoid future legal problems, NCP (SP) has taken the decision, said party leaders

A Sena (UBT) insider remarked, “Recently, Sharad Pawar said in public that he would like to see a woman chief minister in Maharashtra. So anything can happen!”

The rural areas of Pune district recorded more than 70 per cent voting at Ambegaon, Baramati, Daund, Maval and Indapur

The counting will take place at Food Corporation of India (FCI) Koregaon Park, Balewadi Sports Stadium, Chinchwad Kamgar Bhavan and for Shirur it will be held at Ranjangaon MIDC

While BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis says higher turnout will benefit Mahayuti as people want continuation of schemes launched by the state government, MVA leaders say it reflects the sentiment of anti-incumbency

These figures are however most likely to be updated by Thursday as the EC was still collecting the data from different polling stations till the time of going to press

Republican Party of India leader Siddharth Dhende highlighted incidents of bogus voting in the Ahmednagar Road area

The constituency saw its loyalty divided between a formidable contender - seven-term MLA and deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar – and 32-year-old Yugendra Pawar

The police have booked four unidentified individuals for an alleged attack on Chandrakant Tingre, the husband of former corporator Surekha Tingre from Wadgaonsheri constituency, near Dhanori in Pune

For Mahayuti and MVA, the battle in Pune district is fiercely contested with no clear advantage for either side

Unlike his speeches at other rallies, Sharad Pawar refrained from directly asking Baramati voters to defeat his estranged nephew Ajit Pawar

Asked about the BJP’s claim of ‘vote jihad’ during elections, Phogat, in a scathing comment, asserted if saffron party leaders looked in the mirror, they would know who is doing ‘vote jihad’

Asked about Fadnavis’s appeal to voters, Pawar said it was the BJP leader who had brought up ‘vote jihad,’ referring to minorities favouring the opposition bloc Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in a few constituencies during the Lok Sabha election

Regarding the pub culture protests, Dhangekar said, as a party, we opposed the late-night pub culture in Pune

The state under the BJP leadership has secured 52 per cent of the total investment in the country, he said

In case of the BJP, leaders from Haryana, Goa, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat are being invited to campaign in Maharashtra

Maharashtra State Youth Congress questions Pune rural police and election machinery for not filing FIR for ₹5 crore seizure at Khed Shivapur toll naka despite poll code in force

Positioned as a prominent Maratha face for the party amid ongoing agitations led by Manoj Jarange Patil over Maratha reservations, Mohol spoke to HT on the election and Pune’s development

Sharad Pawar criticized the Mahayuti government over corruption, inflation, and women’s safety, urging voters to choose the Maha Vikas Aghadi for better governance.

Besides Vijaya Patil, another sibling and cousin Rajni have also joined Ajit’s campaign, with additional support coming from the maternal side of the family

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray had recently criticised the Election Commission, alleging that his bags were singled out for checks twice, sharing videos of the incidents on social media

Shivajinagar assembly constituency is once again at the centre of Pune’s political spotlight, as sitting BJP MLA Siddharth Shirole faces Congress’s Datta Bahirat in a tight rematch

Modi’s rallies in Pune, Solapur, and Chimur were aimed at bolstering support for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Mahayuti alliance

The change in strategy is stark given that during Lok Sabha polls, Modi’s “Bhatakti Aatma” remarks cost Mahayuti dearly in some seats

Development issues crucial to Pune and its surrounding rural areas are conspicuously absent from the current election campaign,say citizens

During the recent Lok Sabha polls, BJP’s Murlidhar Mohol secured a lead of approximately 14,000 votes from Kasba Peth, indicating a possible shift back in favour of the party

In Nashik’s wholesale markets, onion prices have climbed from ₹40 last month to ₹60 per kg on Friday, providing a boost for farmers. In contrast, soybean prices have dropped below the Minimum Support Price, falling to as low as ₹3,000 per quintal across Maharashtra

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