Parbhani/Jalgaon/Dhule:

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday asserted that Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, will not be restored even if Congress stalwart and late PM Indira Gandhi comes down from heaven.

The BJP’s star campaigner sought to corner the Congress over Muslim reservation and accused the main opposition party of deliberately stalling construction of a Ram temple at Ayodhya for years.

With just a week left for the high-stakes assembly polls in Maharashtra, Shah stepped up his campaigning for the ruling Mahayuti front, of which the BJP is a member, and addressed three rallies in a day where he attacked the Congress and its Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) ally Shiv Sena (UBT).

Addressing a rally at Dhule in North Maharashtra, Shah said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi should remember that even if his “fourth generation was to come”, Muslims won’t get reservations meant for Dalits, tribals and other backward castes.

“A few days ago, Ulemas (Muslim scholars) met the president of Congress party and said Muslims should be given reservation (in jobs and education). If reservation has to be given to Muslims, then reservations for SCs/STs/OBCs will have to be cut. Rahul Baba, not only you but even if your four generations were to come, they cannot cut the quota meant for SCs/STs/OBCs and give it to Muslims,” Shah insisted.

The Union minister made it clear that Article 370, scrapped in 2019 by the BJP-led central government, won’t be restored under any circumstances.

“Even if Indira Gandhi were to return from heaven, Article 370 won’t be restored,” the BJP stalwart told the gathering.

Describing the opposition MVA grouping as an “Aurangzeb Fan Club”, Shah noted the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance abides by the ideals of Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and freedom fighter Veer Savarkar.

At another election meeting in Jalgaon, also in North Maharashtra, the former BJP president averred that if the MVA wins the November 20 assembly polls, the state will turn into an ATM (automated teller machine) for the Congress.

“They (MVA) will withdraw funds from Maharashtra by using the state’s resources and send the money to Delhi. In contrast, if the BJP-led Mahayuti forms a government, the Modi administration will ensure greater development for Maharashtra,” Shah said at the meeting in Chalisgaon town.

Targeting Gandhi, the Lok Sabha MP from Raebareli, he accused his party of making false promises and misleading people.

“Recently, Rahul Gandhi was seen waving a copy of Babasaheb Ambedkar’s Constitution. He used the same copy while taking the oath in Parliament. When some journalists got their hands on the very copy, it had blank pages. By showing a fake Constitution, Rahul broke the trust of people and insulted Babasaheb. Apparently, you have never read the Constitution, Rahul baba,” Shah said.

The “Sonia-Manmohan regime” didn’t act against Naxalism and terrorism for 10 years (2004-14) due to vote bank politics, the home minister opined.

“The entire Congress politics runs on deception. They are saying that after the formation of the Mahayuti government (in June 2022), investment in Maharashtra has reduced. The truth is after the formation of the government of (CM) Eknath Shinde and (deputy CM) Devendra Fadnavis, our Maharashtra is No.1 state in FDI inflows in India,” he said.

A Mahayuti government post-polls will work more for the welfare of women, farmers and other sections of society, Shah maintained.

“Your one vote will not only form a Mahayuti government but your one vote will also deposit Rs 2,100 in the account of Maharashtra’s beloved sisters. Your one vote will result in depositing Rs 15,000 instead of Rs 12,000 annually in farmers’ account,” he said.

The BJP leader said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s guarantee is like ‘patthar ki lakeer’ (carved in stone), whereas the Congress reneged on pre-poll promises in Telangana, Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh after coming to power in these states.

Targeting NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar, Shah said the senior politician served as Maharashtra CM and also as a Union minister for many years, but did not do anything to give classical language status to Marathi.

At his third rally at Jintur in Parbhani district in the Marathwada region, Shah averred that Congress MP Gandhi, who has been campaigning for the MVA in Maharashtra, will fail once again.

“Sonia ji tried to land the plane named Rahul Baba 20 times and 20 times the plane crashed. Now again, an attempt is being made to land the plane for the 21st time in Maharashtra. Sonia ji, your “Rahul plane” is going to crash for the 21st time,” the BJP leader opined.

Shah accused the Congress of deliberately stalling construction of a Ram temple at Ayodhya for years.

“PM Modi built the Ram temple and also constructed the Kashi Vishwanath corridor (in Varanasi) which was demolished by (Mughal emperor) Aurangzeb. Now, you should be ready to visit Gujarat as the Somnath temple is also being made of gold,” he told the gathering.

Modi has made the country safe and prosperous, Shah said.

“I have visited all the places like Vidarbha, North Maharashtra, West Maharashtra, Konkan, Mumbai, Marathwada. Do you want to know the result of assembly polls? Listen to me, on November 23 (result day), the Maha Vikas Aghadi is going to be wiped out from Maharashtra,” he declared.

Shah said Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, a former BJP ally, is now in alliance with those who opposed renaming Aurangabad as Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Chimur, Maharashtra:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday mounted a scathing attack against Congress and its Maha Vikas Aghadi partners, saying that they have “a double PhD” in putting brakes on development and in corruption.

Addressing a rally in Chimur for BJP and MahaYuti candidates, he said: “The Congress people have a double PhD in stalling, delaying and diverting the works. In 2.5 years, they stopped every development project from Metro to Vadhvan Port and Samruddhi Mahamarg. So remember that Aghadi means the biggest player in corruption.”

PM Modi also said that the rapid development of Maharashtra is beyond the reach of the Aghadi people.

“Congress and the alliance do not leave any opportunity to push the country back and weaken it. You people have shown today itself what the election results in Maharashtra are going to be. This huge crowd is saying that MahaYuti is going to form the government with a huge majority in Maharashtra. The people of Chimur and the entire Maharashtra have decided – ‘BJP – Mahayuti ahe, tar gati ahe. Maharashtra’s progress ahe’,” the Prime Minister said, breaking into Marathi.

“Along with MahaYuti, the NDA government at the Centre means double engine government in Maharashtra, which means double speed of development. The people of Maharashtra have seen this double pace of development in the last 2.5 years. Today Maharashtra is the state in the country where maximum foreign investment is taking place. New airports and new expressways are being built here. Today, around a dozen Vande Bharat trains are running in Maharashtra, more than 100 stations here are being renovated and many railway routes are being expanded,” he said.

The Prime Minister said that the BJP-led NDA government has put a break on Maoism in Chimur and Gadchiroli and also across the country.

“Congress and its allies have given you only bloody games. It is our government which has curbed Naxalism (Maoism). Today this entire area is able to breathe freely. Now new opportunities are being created in the areas of Chimur and Gadchiroli. To ensure that Naxalism does not become dominant in this area again, you should not allow the Congress and its allies to even enter here,” he added.

The Prime Minister showered praise on the state BJP unit for bringing out a comprehensive manifesto which promises to increase the pace of development of all sections and the state.

“Today I would also like to congratulate Maharashtra BJP, which has released a very wonderful manifesto,” he said.

Further, the Prime Minister lashed out at the Congress and allies for their efforts to reinstate Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir while referring to the resolution moved in this regard recently in the Assembly there.

“Our Jammu and Kashmir remained burning in separatism and terrorism for decades. Many brave soldiers of Maharashtra were martyred on the soil of Jammu and Kashmir while protecting the motherland. The law under the cover of which all this happened, that section was Article 370. This article was the contribution of Congress. We abolished Article 370. Kashmir was completely integrated with India and the Indian Constitution. But Congress and its allies are passing resolutions to implement Article 370 again in Kashmir. These people are doing what Pakistan wants,” he claimed.

The Prime Minister warned the people of Congress “conspiracy” to divide tribals among various castes and weaken them. However, he claimed that the Centre as well as the MahaYuti government have taken many decisions for its development and empowerment.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Mumbai:

Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched BJP’s ‘Sankalp Patra’ on Sunday in the run-up to the Maharashtra Assembly elections.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, state BJP President Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Mumbai BJP President Ashish Shelar, and Union Minister Piyush Goyal among other party leaders were present at the the manifesto launch.

The BJP is contesting the elections along with Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) as Mahayuti alliance.

Speaking on occasion, Shah highlighted the ruling alliance’s commitment to ensure the welfare of the farmers, women and poor.

“The Mahayuti government has talked about and done work for respect for farmers, helping the poor, and on upholding the self-respect of women. The ‘Sankalp Patra’ released here today is a reflection of the aspirations of the people of Maharashtra,” Shah said.

“In a way, Maharashtra has been leading the country in every field for many ages. Once upon a time, when there was a need, the Bhakti movement also started in Maharashtra, the movement for freedom from slavery was also started by Shivaji Maharaj from here, and the social revolution also started from here and the reflection of the aspirations of the people of Maharashtra is seen in our Sankalp Patra,” he added.

The Home Minister also reiterated the BJP’s promise to make India the third-largest economy by 2027.

“India has reached the position of being the fifth largest economy, and I promise by 2027 we are going to reach the third largest economy, we are moving forward at a fast pace, 7 crore toilets, houses, electricity, drinking water, grains, free healthcare, we have done all this to give to the people,” Shah said.

Hitting out at the opposition alliance, Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), Shah said, “On the other side there is Aghadi, even Congress leaders have to say that they should make promises after thinking a lot because they promise and then answer later.”

“There is Himachal, Telangana, Karnataka, in all of these states they have not fulfilled their promises. Everyone believes in the promises of Mahayuti,” he said.

As the elections for the 288 seats in the Assembly approached closer, the political battle between the two major alliances, the Mahayuti and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) intensified.

The polls are scheduled for November 20 and counting will be held on November 23.

The opposition MVA, comprises Congress, Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), and Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (SCP).

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Baramati:

NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar turned the heat on his estranged nephew and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar on Tuesday, virtually accusing him of breaking the family for his political ambitions.

Campaigning for his grandnephew and NCP (SP) nominee from the Baramati assembly segment, Yugendra Pawar, the Pawar senior mimicked Ajit, who a day earlier became emotional over Yugendra’s candidature at a rally.

Sharad Pawar’s action of pretending to wipe his eyes with a handkerchief in the middle of the speech evoked a peal of laughter from the audience.

The elections to 288 seats in Maharashtra are scheduled for November 20. Votes will be counted three days later.

Addressing a rally on Monday, Baramati MLA Ajit Pawar alleged that “seniors” should have ensured that a family rift is avoided, referencing to Yugendra’s candidature.

“My parents and brothers never taught me the sin to break the house (family),” Sharad Pawar said while addressing a rally at Kanheri town near Baramati.

“People tasked me with leading Maharashtra a long time ago. I am now a mentor and have entrusted the party affairs to the new generation,” he said.

Underscoring the uncertainties of politics, the former Union minister said one should not leave his colleagues for the sake of securing power for oneself.

“Unfortunately, when we (NCP) were not in power, some of our colleagues suddenly woke up at dawn and took oath. That government didn’t last for even for four days,” Pawar said.

Notably, Ajit Pawar took oath as Deputy Chief Minister when he was a member of the opposition NCP (undivided) with BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis as CM at Raj Bhavan amid a political tug-of-war over the formation of a government, post the 2019 assembly elections.

“He (Ajit) went to the other side to secure the deputy chief minister’s post despite having served as Deputy CM four times. You got the position most of the time. If you fail to get the position only once, will you break the house (family)?” Sharad Pawar asked.

Now it is being said that I broke the family. It is a funny thing to hear, he added.

The veteran politician underlined that he never created a rift in the Pawar clan and everyone listened to him as the family head.

“I never did anything by going against anyone and will never do so. Going forward, regardless of anyone taking any stand, I will not go on the wrong track. I will ensure that my family will remain united,” Sharad Pawar added.

Targeting Ajit, the Pawar senior referred to the former’s speech at a rally.

“It was said that I created a rift in the family. The sin of breaking the family was never taught by my parents and brothers. All my brothers, including Anantrao Pawar (father of Ajit Pawar), lived with me,” he added.

Sharad Pawar recalled how he concentrated on politics in Maharashtra and at the national level, while domestic issues and farming were taken care of by his family members.

“I could concentrate on my job because of the blessings of my brothers. I won’t discriminate against their children,” he added.

He highlighted the “change of language” used by Ajit Pawar from the campaigning for the Baramati Lok Sabha seat to the latest emotive pitch.

Ajit Pawar’s wife Sunetra Pawar lost her maiden electoral contest from the Baramati Lok Sabha constituency to her sister-in-law and Sharad Pawar’s daughter Supriya Sule.

“During Lok Sabha polls, people were told (by Ajit) not to fall prey to emotion. People were told that Pawar Saheb (Sharad Pawar) would shed tears and seek votes (for his daughter Supriya Sule),” Sharad Pawar said.

“You might have seen in yesterday’s speech…..”, he said even as he took out a handkerchief pretending to wipe tears, mimicking Ajit.

Pawar claimed he offered positions as ministers to several leaders but didn’t entrust Supriya Sule with a single position.

The Pawar senior also said he was dragged to the court as the name and symbol of the NCP founded by him were allotted to the other faction.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Mumbai:

The BJP on Monday released its third list of 25 candidates for the Maharashtra assembly polls, giving tickets to two Congress turncoats and the personal assistant of Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

The BJP, so far, has announced candidates for 146 seats. Polls to the 288-member Maharashtra assembly will take place on November 20, while results will be declared on November 23.

Jitesh Antapurkar, who won a bypoll in 2021 on a Congress ticket and is considered close to former chief minister Ashok Chavan, has been nominated from Deglur. Chavan had left the Congress recently and joined the BJP, which made him a Rajya Sabha MP.

Archana Patil-Chakurkar, the daughter-in-law of Congress veteran and former Lok Sabha Speaker Shivraj Patil, has been fielded from the Latur City seat. She had joined the BJP from the Congress in March this year.

Sumit Wankhede, who has served as Fadnavis’s personal assistant for several years, will be the BJP’s candidate from the Arvi assembly constituency.

Incidentally, the BJP had given Fadnavis’ former PA Abhimanyu Pawar a ticket from Ausa in 2019. Pawar had won at the time. Later, Shreekant Bharatiya was made an MLC by the party.

Borivali BJP MLA Sunil Rane has been replaced with Sanjay Upadhyay, while MLC Praveen Datke has been fielded from the Nagpur Central seat.

Ashish Deshmukh, son of former Congress state president Ranjeet Deshmukh, has been given a ticket from Savner in Nagpur district.

Sitting MLA Bharti Lavekar has been repeated from Versova’s seat in the western part of the metropolis.

The BJP’s third list features four women, including Lavekar and Archana Patil-Chakurkar.

The other two are Sneha Dube, who has been fielded from the Vasai seat in Palghar district, and Sai Prakash Dahake from Karanja in Washim. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Mumbai:

The Congress on Saturday released its second list of 23 candidates for the November 20 Maharashtra Assembly elections, fielding a “strong” contender against state Bharatiya Janata Party President Chandrashekhar Bawankule.

Bawankule, who is recontesting Kamthi seat in Nagpur district – which he had bagged in 2004, 2009 and 2014 till he was dropped in 2019, will lock horns with Suresh Y. Bhoyar, a former President of the Nagpur Zila Panchayat.

Similarly, in Savner in Nagpur district, the Congress has fielded Anuja S. Kedar, the wife of former minister and five-term MLA Sunil C. Kedar, who was convicted in a graft case and disqualified. The daughter of the legendary cricket administrator and former Maharashtra Speaker SK Wankhede, whose name adorns the BCCI stadium in Mumbai, Kedar had filed her nomination papers as an Independent, but will now contest on a Congress ticket.

The Congress’ second list comes two days after the first list with 48 candidates was issued as the party was purportedly in a tug-of-war with Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) ally Shiv Sena-UBT over certain seats in the Vidarbha region.

The others figuring in Saturday’s list also include Rajesh Manavatkar (Bhusawal), Swati Wakekar (Jamod), Mahesh Gange (Akot), Shekhar Shende (Wardha), Girish Pandav (Nagpur South), Pooja Thavker (Bhandara), Dalip Banson (Arjuni-Morgaon), Rajkumar Puram (Amgaon), Vasant Purke (Ralegaon), Anil Balasaheb Mangulkar (Yavatmal), Jitendra Moghe (Arni), Sahebrao Kamble (Umarkhed), Kailas Gorantyal (Jalna), and Madhukar Deshmukh (Aurangabad East).

Vijay Patil will contest from Vasai, Kalu Bhadeliya from Kandivali East, Yashwant Singh from Charkop, Ganesh Kumar Yadav from Sion-Koliwada, Hemant Ogle from Srirampur, Abhay K. Salunkhe from Nilanga, and Ganpatrao Patil for Shiro).

Maharashtra Congress Legislative Party Leader Vijay alias Balasaheb Thorat is likely to call on NCP supremo Sharad Pawar and SS-UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray this afternoon to finalise the remaining seat-sharing ratio, including the number of seats that will be allocated to smaller allies, as the last date for filing nominations (October 29) approaches.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Mumbai:

Several prominent leaders including Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray and state NCP(SP) chief Jayant Patil on Thursday filed their nominations for the November 20 Maharashtra assembly elections.

As many as 153 candidates have filed nominations across the state so far since the process began on October 22. The last date for filing nominations is October 29.

Of the ruling alliance, NCP ministers Dilip Walse Patil and Chhagan Bhujbal filed the papers for Ambegaon and Yeola seats, respectively, while BJP minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha filed his nomination for Malabar Hill in Mumbai.

Aaditya Thackeray filed his nomination for Worli in Mumbai, his current constituency, while his cousin Amit Thackeray, son of MNS chief Raj Thackeray, filed his nomination for the neighbouring Mahim seat. Amit Thackeray is making his electoral debut.

Another debutant Rohit Patil, son of the late NCP leader R R Patil, entered the fray from Tasgaon-Kavthemahankal on the NCP(SP) ticket.

Jayant Patil, a former minister, filed his papers from Islampur. Harshvardhan Patil, who recently joined the NCP (SP), filed his nomination for Indapur. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)