Articles by Saurabha Kulshreshtha
Fadnavis orders inquiry into allegations against Somaiya
Deputy CM Fadnavis orders probe into sexual exploitation allegations against BJP leader Kirit Somaiya; state to conduct thorough inquiry.
Updated on Jul 19, 2023 12:46 AM IST
Saurabha Kulshreshtha, Mumbai
MVA urges Governor to remove Neelam Gorhe as council deputy chairperson
Shiv Sena (UBT) has moved disqualification petitions against three members of the legislative council who switched loyalties to the party led by Eknath Shinde. The Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi has also demanded the removal of Neelam Gorhe from the post of deputy chairperson of the council. The Sena (UBT) plans to aggressively pursue the removal motion against Gorhe. Meanwhile, an MVA delegation has met the governor to resolve the constitutional deadlock in the council.
Updated on Jul 18, 2023 12:42 AM IST
Saurabha Kulshreshtha
Congress stakes claim on leader of opposition post
Congress claims leader of opposition post in Maharashtra Assembly after becoming largest Maha Vikas Aghadi constituent. Party considering names of senior and second rung leaders for the post.
Updated on Jul 17, 2023 12:28 AM IST
Saurabha Kulshreshtha
Govt’s final nod to Adani Properties for Dharavi project
. As an equity partner of the project, spread over 240.35 hectares, the state government has allocated ₹100 crore from its kitty, while Adani group will spend ₹400 crore as the project’s chief partner
Updated on Jul 15, 2023 12:56 AM IST
Saurabha Kulshreshtha
Fadnavis backs ‘kutniti’ in ‘dharma yudha’, eyes over 152-seat win in assembly elections
In the recent past, BJP leaders have questioned the induction of “corrupt NCP leaders”, visibly upset with the alliance. To this, the Fadnavis said BJP has “an emotional friendship” with the Shinde-led Shiv Sena and “political friendship” with Ajit Pawar-led NCP
Updated on Jul 14, 2023 01:03 AM IST
Saurabha Kulshreshtha
Abdul Sattar in legal trouble over false information in poll affidavits
Agriculture minister Abdul Sattar, a Shiv Sena leader, is facing legal trouble as a court in Aurangabad issues process against him for giving false information in election affidavits. This comes amidst reports of a cabinet reshuffle in the state. Sattar may face punishment if found guilty.
Updated on Jul 14, 2023 01:03 AM IST
Saurabha Kulshreshtha, Mumbai
Sharad Pawar loves me, that’s why first rally in Yeola, says Bhujbal
Speaking to mediapersons, Bhujbal said, “Sharad Pawar loves me a lot and that’s why he chose my constituency for his first rally. When the NCP was formed, I was the first to stand by him. Many leaders joined NCP later. That’s why my number seems to be first”
Updated on Jul 09, 2023 12:46 AM IST
Saurabha Kulshreshtha
People stealing identity of leaders who made them: Thackeray reacts to NCP split
Saying that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) wants to take full control of the country, Thackeray criticised the politics of claiming control of a party by splitting it. Thackeray also attacked prime minister Narendra Modi-led Union government over the situation in the country saying that the Emergency in 1975 was officially declared but now there is an undeclared emergency.
Updated on Jul 07, 2023 12:52 AM IST
Saurabha Kulshreshtha
Thackeray faction claims 8-10 MLAs from Shinde group in touch
The Thackeray faction claims that 8-10 MLAs from CM Eknath Shinde's group are in touch with them and unhappy with Ajit Pawar's induction as deputy CM. However, Shinde denies any discontent among his ranks.
Updated on Jul 07, 2023 12:47 AM IST
Saurabha Kulshreshtha/Yogesh Naik
Uddhav to tour Maharashtra for strengthening party base
This was discussed in a meeting held at Matoshree, the Thackeray residence in Bandra East. “The party president Uddhav Thackeray will tour Maharashtra to strengthen the party base ahead of elections. The detailed tour programme will be chalked out soon,” Bhaskar Jadhav, MLA and party spokesperson, said
Updated on Jul 05, 2023 12:53 AM IST
Saurabha Kulshreshtha
RSS not anti-Muslim or anti-Christian: Bhagwat
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat stated that the organization is not anti-Muslim or anti-Christian, but works to bring Hindus together with positive thoughts.
Updated on Jul 05, 2023 12:53 AM IST
Saurabha Kulshreshtha
Thackeray favours UCC but wants to see fine print
A Shiv Sena (UBT) leader, on condition of anonymity, said that Thackeray had told the delegation that the Shiv Sena had been in favour of a UCC right from the time Bal Thackeray founded the party. However, he remarked that the intention of the Modi government in starting a discussion on the UCC was not pure
Updated on Jun 29, 2023 12:46 AM IST
Saurabha Kulshreshtha
State govt stumps police by giving heavy discount to associations of cash-rich BCCI
The Maharashtra government has given affiliated local bodies of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) heavy discounts for police security charges for matches played in the state, including IPL matches. Charges have been reduced retrospectively from 2011, with T20 and IPL matches reduced to INR10 lakh ($13,300) from INR70 lakh per match, One Day Internationals to INR25 lakh from INR75 lakh and Test matches to INR25 lakh from INR60 lakh. The move has been criticised given that the BCCI is the richest cricket body in the world.
Updated on Jun 28, 2023 08:00 AM IST
Saurabha Kulshreshtha
No meat, liquor shops near temples: Hindutva body
The members will start the drive on the twin ban soon focusing on prominent Vaishnav temples, Jyotirlingas (Shiva temples; there are four to five in the state) and Shakti Peethas (temples of various goddesses in the Hindu pantheon). This, they said, is along the lines of a similar ban prevailing near Jain pilgrim sites
![Located in Solapur district in south Maharashtra, 400 km fromMumbai, Pandharpur has a tradition of warkaris coming to the temple town on the 11th day of every fortnight [ekadashi] according to the Hindu calendar - HT Photo 05.03.10 - MAR10 2K10 (Hindustan Times)](https://test.everynews.info/ht-img/img/2023/06/23/150x84/Located-in-Solapur-district-in-south-Maharashtra--_1687548778995.jpg "Located in Solapur district in south Maharashtra, 400 km fromMumbai, Pandharpur has a tradition of warkaris coming to the temple town on the 11th day of every fortnight [ekadashi] according to the Hindu calendar - HT Photo 05.03.10 - MAR10 2K10 (Hindustan Times)")
Updated on Jun 24, 2023 01:03 AM IST
Saurabha Kulshreshtha
Uddhav announces protest march against corruption in BMC on July 1
Move comes day after the Shinde government announced SIT probe into financial irregularities in functioning of civic body during Sena regime. Sena (UBT) youth leader Aaditya Thackeray will lead the protest march, and anybody can participate in it, including the alliance parties in MVA, added Thackeray.
Updated on Jun 21, 2023 12:43 AM IST
Saurabha Kulshreshtha
Determined Uddhav vows to fight traitors
Uddhav Thackeray, former chief minister of Maharashtra, has vowed to defeat his rival Eknath Shinde and bring the Shiv Sena party back to power. Thackeray called on his supporters to finish off the "enemy" in a final battle, stating that traitors and old friends had posed a new challenge. Thackeray also criticised Shinde and deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, calling Shinde a new slave of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Fadnavis the PM's "blind follower". The two factions have been locked in a bitter tussle ahead of the prestigious Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation polls, Lok Sabha and assembly elections.
Updated on Jun 20, 2023 01:01 AM IST
Saurabha Kulshreshtha, Mumbai
Modi government threat to India’s unity, says Thackeray
Thackeray also accused Modi and Shah of looting Mumbai by using the divide-and-rule policy. “Modi and Shah know that if all Marathi leaders and voters split into factions, it will be easy for them to loot Mumbai and Maharashtra; that was the reason Shiv Sena was split into two,” he said
Updated on Jun 19, 2023 12:47 AM IST
Saurabha Kulshreshtha
Another jolt to Uddhav; Sena (UBT) MLC Manisha Kayande joins Shinde camp
Manisha Kayande, one of Shiv Sena's most combative MLCs, has quit the party to join Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's faction, citing unhappiness with Uddhav Thackeray's leadership. There are speculations that other women leaders and former corporators could also follow. However, Sena (UBT) leaders said that pure personal agenda was behind the women's move. Kayande has been appointed as the first woman party secretary of the Shiv Sena. This comes after deputy leader Shishir Shinde left the party on Saturday night, expressing displeasure that he had not been assigned any responsibility in his four years in the Sena (UBT).
Updated on Jun 19, 2023 12:38 AM IST
Saurabha Kulshreshtha
High-power committee to scrutinise ₹70-crore tab tender
The Maharashtra state government is investigating a tender worth INR70 crore ($9.3m) to buy 26,250 electronic tablets that was issued by former additional chief secretary Nand Kumar a day before his retirement. The opposition had called for an inquiry into the tender process after it was claimed Kumar had exaggerated the cost. A high-power committee will scrutinise the tender. The cost of a GIS mobile application was also included in the tender.
Updated on Jun 15, 2023 01:02 AM IST
Saurabha Kulshreshtha
Sena (UBT) hits back at Amit Shah, calls BJP a hypocrite over PDP alliance
The development came a day after Shah slammed Uddhav in a rally in Nanded over the chain of events post the 2019 Assembly polls, which led to the unravelling of the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance
Updated on Jun 12, 2023 12:29 AM IST
Saurabha Kulshreshtha
Narwekar’s “revolutionary decision” remark causes stir in political circles
Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar has said he will make a "revolutionary" decision, possibly indicating his decision on the disqualification of rebel MLAs including Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The Supreme Court had asked Narwekar to decide on the disqualification pleas by the Thackeray faction, seeking to disqualify 40 MLAs including the CM, and the Shinde camp, which wants 14 rival MLAs disqualified for not voting in favour of the ruling parties during the floor test. Opposition parties have said the decision should be in line with the 10th schedule of the Indian Constitution.
Updated on Jun 09, 2023 12:55 AM IST
Saurabha Kulshreshtha, Mumbai
BJP announces election in charge for 48 LS, 288 Assembly seats
The name that grabbed the eyeballs in the list for Lok Sabha is Sumit Wankhede, who is a personal assistant and close aide to deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. He is the election in-charge of the Wardha Lok Sabha constituency
Updated on Jun 09, 2023 12:19 AM IST
Saurabha Kulshreshtha
27,99,970 sq mt dump sites in MMR to transform into green spaces
Old garbage dumping sites in 28 urban local bodies in Maharashtra will be transformed into green zones, freeing up nearly 27.99 million sq m of space. The initiative aims to convert the areas into gardens and playgrounds, with municipal bodies tasked with converting accumulated waste using biomining techniques. The eight municipal bodies in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region will receive funds to clear out the waste, which has accumulated over decades, with the state government approving INR1,661 crore ($223m) for the initiative.
Updated on Jun 08, 2023 01:11 AM IST
Saurabha Kulshreshtha
Sena (UBT) launches podcast to reach out to voters, cadres
Shiv Sena (UBT) has launched a podcast called ?Awaaj Kunacha?? in a bid to reach out and explain its stand on various issues to party cadres and supporters. The first episode deals with the disqualification of the Sena?s rebel MLAs and the Supreme Court order to counter the narrative that the Shinde-Fadnavis government was stable. The podcast is seen as an attempt to retain party workers even as CM Shinde reportedly tries to lure them away. The frequency and format of future podcasts will be decided by Uddhav Thackeray and Aaditya Thackeray.
Updated on Jun 08, 2023 01:08 AM IST
Saurabha Kulshreshtha
Mhada lottery houses too pricey for stipulated income range, say home buyers
Mhada has priced flats for the economically weaker section (EWS) category at ₹30 lakh to 40 lakh, and for the low income group (LIG) category from 45 lakh to ₹1.65 crore. The income criterion for EWS is up to ₹6 lakh per annum and for LIG up to ₹9 lakh per annum. This disparity in price and income criteria makes it impossible for a common salaried person to buy these homes.
Updated on Jun 05, 2023 12:38 AM IST
Saurabha Kulshreshtha
Fadnavis assures to expedite pending issues
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis held a meeting with city BJP leaders to discuss pending issues and projects before the forthcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections. The party leaders expressed concern over the issues, including housing for police and mill workers, inadequate compensation to BMC project affected people and premiums for housing societies on the government land.
Updated on Jun 05, 2023 12:33 AM IST
Saurabha Kulshreshtha
‘Renaming of Ahmednagar is to woo politically significant Dhangar community’
Shinde attended the birth anniversary event of Ahilya Devi Holkar at her birthplace, Chondi village in Ahmednagar, where he announced the renaming.
Updated on Jun 02, 2023 12:55 AM IST
Saurabha Kulshreshtha
Shinde calls for probe into BMC projects over 15 yrs
“Such an audit will damage Thackeray’s image in a perception war ahead of the BMC elections. It may also shake the confidence of former corporators and local leaders of the faction,” said a leader from the Shinde camp
Updated on Jun 01, 2023 12:40 AM IST
Yogesh Naik/Saurabha Kulshreshtha
Hindutva body tells temple devotees how to dress
The Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh is enforcing a dress code on devotees across 300 temples in the Indian state. The decree calls for fully covered clothing and bans ripped jeans, shorts and crop tops worn by all genders. The group?s aim is to free the administration of Maharashtra?s temples from government control. The move has been criticized by Nationalist Congress Party leader Vidya Chavan as an attempt to re-instate orthodox Hindutva from Manusmruti and divert attention from real issues.
Updated on May 31, 2023 12:52 AM IST
Saurabha Kulshreshtha
Day before retirement, IAS officer faces corruption allegation
IAS officer Nand Kumar faces corruption charges of allegedly exaggerating costs and speeding up the process for a tender of INR70 crore ($9.4m) for the purchase of electronic tablets. Leader of Opposition Ambadas Danve has demanded a probe into the matter by a special investigation team and for the tender to be cancelled. Kumar is retiring from his position as additional chief secretary of the OBC Bahujan Welfare Department and the Employment Guarantee Scheme Department on 31 May. He has previously faced allegations of irregularities during his tenure as principal secretary (school education).
Updated on May 31, 2023 12:52 AM IST
Saurabha Kulshreshtha