The Delhi High Court has said that the Election Commission is free to proceed in the dispute between two rival factions of the Shiv Sena over the use of its name and symbol. The high court's order came while disposing of an appeal by former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray challenging a single judge's decision dismissing his plea against an Election Commission's (EC) interim order freezing the Shiv Sena name and election symbol. "It is pertinent to mention that the two preliminary issues which are sought to be raised by the appellant (Thackeray) are pending before the apex court...., yet the apex court... has held that there shall be no stay on the proceedings before the Election Commission of India. "Therefore, the Election Commission of India is free to proceed with the adjudication of the dispute pending before it," a bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad said in an order passed on Thursday which was made available on Friday. The
Former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray approached the Delhi High Court against its single-judge bench order rejecting his plea against EC's decision to freeze Shiv Sena's name and symbol
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray on Monday met Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) chief Prakash Ambedkar in Mumbai and said the alliance will be decided after fixing certain small issues. Reacting to Thackeray's remarks, Ambedkar said the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena faction will take a call on whether to induct the VBA into the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) or forge a separate alliance. He also said the expression "positive discussion" used by Thackeray while speaking to reporters about the meeting has no meaning but is akin to postponing (a decision on alliance). Earlier in the day, Thackeray and Ambedkar held a meeting in Mumbai. "The meeting with Ambedkar was a positive one. We will soon resolve the small issues and make an announcement regarding the alliance," Thackeray told reporters. Reacting to Thackeray's remarks, Ambedkar said the outcome of the meeting is perceived to be positive. "But I don't understand the meaning of the phrase 'positive discussion'. It is Shiv Sena (UB
Political alignments in Maharashtra that had fallen into disrepair are being revived by Uddhav Thackeray and Prakash Ambedkar. Dhaval Kulkarni investigates the prospects - and the problems
The Uddhav Thackeray-led faction of the Shiv Sena on Thursday said Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju has crossed the Laxman Resha by commenting on the collegium system of appointment of judges, and he should resign. An editorial in the party mouthpiece 'Saamana' alleged that the Narendra Modi government wants to control all important institutions including the judiciary. It wants people of its ideology in the judiciary and is trying to destroy democracy, Parliament and opposition leaders. For this, the government wants its people in the high courts, Supreme Court and also among prosecutors, it said. Rijiju recently called as "opaque" the present Supreme Court collegium system through which judges are appointed. "The basic fault with the present collegium system is that the judges are recommending those colleagues whom they know. Obviously, they would not recommend a judge they do not know," Rijiju had said. The Sena mouthpiece said it was clear that the law minister had crossed the
Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday said Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has no courage to speak against his Karnataka counterpart. Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai's claim that several border villages in Maharashtra once sought to be become part of his state has triggered a row. Have we lost our courage as Karnataka chief minister is easily making claims on Maharashtra villages," Thackeray said, taking a swipe at Shinde. "Is Karnataka CM having any blessings from Delhi? Does the Centre also want the same thing? Thackeray, a former chief minister, said while speaking to reporters. NCP chief Sharad Pawar, meanwhile, said that the Bharatiya Janata Party "can not run away from Karnataka issue." "If Karnataka wants to return Nipani, Belgaum villages, then only some exchange can be worked out," he added. Maharashtra deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, countered the jibes by opposition on the Maharashtra-Karnataka dispute by saying that the the ...
The Shiv Sena leader also exhorted all 'Maharashtra lovers' to protest the governor's remarks on Shivaji
Mahatma Gandhi's great grandson Tushar Gandhi has claimed freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar had helped Nathuram Godse find an "efficient gun" to assassinate the Father of the Nation. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Maharashtra termed Tushar Gandhi's comments as unfounded. In a series of tweets on Sunday, Tushar Gandhi said, "Savarkar not only helped the British, he also helped Nathuram Godse find an efficient gun to murder Bapu. Till two days before Bapu's murder (on January 30, 1948), Godse did not have a reliable weapon to carry out the murder of M K Gandhi." The activist-author also claimed Prabodhankar Thackeray, the father of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray and grandfather of former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, had forewarned the Mahatma's companions about a plot to kill the Father of the Nation. In this context, Tushar Gandhi went on to criticise "leaders of Sanatani Hindus" Savarkar and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh founder Keshav Baliram Hedgewar. "When in 193
Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's faction on Monday demanded that Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari be shifted out of the state for his recent remarks about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Gaikwad, who represents the Buldhana Assembly constituency, claimed that Koshyari had made statements about the founder of the Maratha Empire and stoked controversy in the past as well. "The governor should understand that the ideals of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj never age and he cannot be compared to any other great person in the world. My request to BJP leaders at the Centre is that a person who does not know the history of the state and how it functions, be sent somewhere else," the MLA said. Shinde is an MLA of the Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena faction of the party led by Shinde who helms the government in alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Koshyari had, on Saturday, said Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was an icon of "olden days" and referred to Babasa
Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Sanjay Raut on Monday said he received a call from Congress MP Rahul Gandhi who enquired about his health, and claimed such gestures were becoming rare in times of "political bitterness". Raut said Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra, a mass contact initiative underway from September 7, is getting a massive response because he is focussing on love and compassion. The Rajya Sabha member's praise for Gandhi comes at the time when the latter has been facing flak for his remarks on freedom fighter V D Savarkar. Former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray last week said his party has immense respect for Savarkar and they do not approve of Gandhi's remarks about the late Hindutva ideologue. Gandhi recently called Savarkar a symbol of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). He had also claimed that Savarkar helped the British rulers and wrote a mercy petition to them out of fear. Raut, who was recently grant
Kalyan-Dombivali Municipal Corporation officials in Thane district demolished eight shops, one of which housed the local office of the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), as part of an anti-encroachment drive, an official said on Sunday. However, local Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ramakant Devlekar said Saturday's demolition action was due to his refusal to join the faction of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. He said other illegal structures in the area were not touched. Local Shiv Sena (UBT) workers held a protest against the demolition. Meanwhile, KDMC ward officer Kavita Hile said the structures were encroachments and the razing was carried out after following all civic rules, including issuing notices.
Calling Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari's remarks on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj an "insult" of the state, Sanjay Raut on Saturday asked the BJP leaders to protest against him
An emotive and iconic figure in Maharashtra, transcending political affiliations, the governor's remark on the Maratha warrior did not go down well with leaders
Reaching out to tribals, the Maharashtra government on Tuesday announced the setting up of a Scheduled Tribe (ST) Commission and teaching the life of tribal leaders to students through history textbooks. Addressing a gathering in Nashik to mark the 'Janjatiya Gaurav Divas', Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said Bhagwan Birsa Munda fought for water, land and forest. "The work of all tribal revolutionaries in the country is inspirational and proud. This struggle of tribal revolutionaries helped the nation to achieve its freedom. The government will take efforts for branding and marketing of development concepts and handcraft by the tribals. Along with it, as per the demand by tribal development minister Vijaykumar Gavit, a Scheduled Tribe (ST) Commission will be set up in the state soon, Shinde said. In his address, Governor B S Koshyari said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has honoured tribals in the country by selecting Droupadi Murmu as the President. Vijaykumar Gavit said a separate cel
NCP MP Sunil Tatkare and Sena (UBT) MPs Sanjay Raut and Vinayak Raut have expressed the likelihood of early elections in view of the "unstable" political situation in the state.
Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut met his party chief Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday, a day after the Rajya Sabha member's release from jail in a money laundering case. Uddhav Thackeray's son and former Maharashtra minister Aaditya Thackeray greeted Raut outside the Thackerays' private residence 'Matoshree' in suburban Bandra. Talking to reporters earlier in the day, Raut said former state chief minister Uddhav Thackeray stood by his family members while he was in jail. The Rajya Sabha member also claimed his arrest was political and that such kind of vendetta politics was not seen in the country earlier. After his release from Mumbai's Arthur Road Jail on Wednesday evening, Raut said he spoke to Uddhav Thackeray over phone and the latter's voice became heavy, implying an emotional interaction between them. Raut and Uddhav Thackeray are known to be close associates. A special court in Mumbai granted bail to Rajya Sabha member Raut on Wednesday, saying his arrest was illegal and a ...
A day after his release from jail in a money laundering case, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Thursday claimed his arrest was political and that such kind of vendetta politics was not seen in the country earlier. A special court in Mumbai granted bail to Rajya Sabha member Raut on Wednesday, saying his arrest was illegal and a "witch-hunt. Raut, who was released from Mumbai's Arthur Road Jail on Wednesday after 100 days, told reporters here on Thursday that he will soon meet his party chief Uddhav Thackeray and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sharad Pawar. The NCP is an ally of the Thackeray-led Sena faction. Raut said he will also meet Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in the coming days. The parliamentarian said he will also meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, but did not give details about it. I was in solitary confinement, just like Savarkar and Tilak. Even my arrest was political and I used my time for a good purpose.
A special court here on Wednesday granted bail to Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut in a money laundering case pertaining to the Patra Chawl redevelopment project. Special Judge M G Deshpande, designated to hear cases pertaining to the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), allowed the bail plea of Raut after hearing arguments from both sides. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had arrested Rajya Sabha member Raut in July this year for his alleged role in financial irregularities in connection with the redevelopment of the Patra Chawl (row tenement) in suburban Goregaon. He is currently in judicial custody and lodged at the Arthur Road Jail in Mumbai. Raut had in his bail plea claimed the case against him was a perfect example of "abuse of power" and "political vendetta". The ED had opposed Raut's plea, saying he played a major role in the money laundering case related to the Patra Chawl redevelopment and acted "behind the curtains" to avoid the money trail. The ED's probe pertains to .
Aaditya Thackeray could participate in the Congress's 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' led by Rahul Gandhi, which is slated to enter Maharashtra on Monday night, a Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena faction leader said. Talking to reporters, Sena MLC Sachin Ahir said Aaditya is touring Marathwada and the yatra would also be passing through the region. Taking a dig, Bharatiya Janata Party's Mumbai unit president Ashish Shelar said people like Aaditya Thackeray may be joining the Yatra but they cannot save their ministers and MLAs, an apparent reference to the rebellion led by Eknath Shinde and 39 MLAs in June this year. The possibility of Aaditya Thackeray attending the 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' cannot be ruled out. The decision will be taken after discussions with the party chief (Uddhav Thackeray). Coincidentally, he is also touring the region (Marathwada) and attempts are being made to see if it (his visit) can coincide with the rally," Ahir said. A delegation of Congress had last month met Nationalist
Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Monday said the Eknath Shinde-led government in Maharashtra will collapse in coming months and asked party workers to gear up for mid-term elections. Addressing a rally here in Akola district, the former minister attacked the Shinde-led dispensation over four major projects picking other states over Maharashtra and claimed the state has lost potential employment for 2.5 lakh people. Notably, Aaditya's father and former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray had last week spoken about the possibility of mid-term elections in the state. This government of traitors will surely collapse in coming months. Midterm polls are around the corner, Aaditya said, asking workers to gear up to face early elections. Hitting back at state Agriculture minister Abdul Sattar for calling him chota pappu, Aaditya said, I may be chota pappu, but if the name calling helps in serving (the interest of) Maharashtra, then you can keep doing it. This