Anniversaries come and go but my love for ‘Afternoon Voice’ will remain forever. I am happy to know that AV has completed fifteen years of publication today and has now entered it’s sixteenth year. It seems just like yesterday that the paper was started and today it has completed so many years of publication. Your main aim, Vaidehi, fifteen years back was to make this newspaper as successful as the other newspapers available in the country and today it stands popular among the people of Mumbai and its suburbs.
Congratulations to you Vaidehi and the entire editorial team, especially Akshay Redij ji for making this newspaper a grand success and may it reach great heights in the years to come (For your kind information dear readers, Akshay Redij has been putting in a lot of effort in bringing out the online edition in time and has been working till late hours just to give us the latest information on what’s happening in Mumbai and elsewhere in the country).
The one thing I also like about ‘Afternoon Voice’ is that it has given a place to new writers, which is a very good thing unlike other newspapers in the country. AV also does not contain yellow journalism.
Lastly, I would like to thank the editor Vaidehi Taman for giving me a trophy every year at the end of the function on May 1 at the Yashwantrao Chavan Auditorium for all the articles and the letters that I have contributed to the newspaper during the last fifteen years of its publication.
I am proud to be associated with this newspaper and write for it since its inception and will continue writing for this wonderful newspaper even in the future when I turn old and my hairs will turn grey. Feliz Aniversario (Anniversary wishes to you in Spanish).
2024 Elections - Crucial but not difficult for BJP 4
The BJP has taken quite a lot of twists and turns in politics. The BJP is accused of accommodating all the corrupt politicians of other parties in alliance with them. In our culture, the dreaded criminal Valya became Valmiki when he got the right directions and orders in life. When a corrupt leader comes to the BJP, it is chronicled that he will not do corruption again. All those corrupt leaders of other parties, such as the Shiv Sena and NCP, are tamed down in the alliance. No case against Ajit Pawar has been withdrawn since he joined the BJP. But somewhere in Maharashtra, people are not happy due to manipulative politics played out in the open by the BJP.
First, Eknath Shinde cracked out of the Shiv Sena, snatching away the name and symbol of the original Shiv Sena. Now, the Ajit Pawar group was lured to join the alliance of the BJP. The mounting ED pressure and speculations about Ajit Pawar getting arrested made people believe that the BJP and Modi were definitely going to punish the corrupt. On several occasions, Devendra Fadnavis and Modi made scorching attacks on Ajit Pawar and the NCP, calling them “National Corrupt parties.” The chances of the BJP coming back to power in Maharashtra rest on the three-party alliance. The three parties together have a comfortable majority, and they can rock the boat at any cost. If the present coalition has to fall, any one of the partners can withdraw support. Why should they do that unless they have a better option?
The third option is if the BJP does extremely well in the local body and by polls, there are chances of a mass exodus from the alliance. But in the recent local body election, the BJP’s performance was just average. However, if the BJP is able to do well in municipal elections, there is a possibility of the party attracting MLAs. Also, if the BJP does extremely well in assembly elections in other states, that too may have its reflections.
Right now many political parties in alliance with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Maharashtra, such as Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) (mostly in Goa neighbouring area), Nationalist Congress Party of Ajit Pawar, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde), Prahar Janshakti Party (PJP), Rashtriya Samaj Paksha (RSP), Republican Party of India (Athawale) (RPI(A), The parties that may possibly join the alliance in future – merely on account of them being part of the NDA earlier are Goa Forward Party (GFP) and Some small unknown parties may align as per the direction of the wind at that time.
A lot depends on the general elections’ result, which will happen around May, 2024. Again, if the BJP shows itself to be too powerful, engulfing the entire political field of the nation and becoming impressively strong, there is a possibility of the alliance crumbling. Undoubtedly, the BJP will emerge as a big party with a record-breaking and thumping victory. I can envisage Modi becoming PM for the third time in the 2024 elections.
Considering the opposition party’s lack of vision without any constructive manifesto, a trustable face and conflict of interest could end the journey of many parties and politicians. In Maharashtra, the government should last till 2024, unless some constituent party goes crazy and withdraws support. Bawankule already made a statement to the media that, “In Maharashtra, we have started our work across 48 Lok Sabha seats and 288 Assembly constituencies. Irrespective of who contests which seat among our alliance partners, we will put forth our best efforts. The BJP is leaving no stone unturned to attain its goals.” Political parties remain in power or vibrant in politics so long as the party follows its ideology. If the party tries to change its ideology only to suit the particular time and space, it will start its downward trend. Gradually, the party becomes extinct too.
Already, people have formed an opinion of the Shiv Sena. The series of events that have shaken the state have harmed the Shiv Sena and Uddhav Thackeray. Regional parties in other states also lost ground because of their arrogance. In Karnataka, Deve Gowda, who took over power from Ramakrishna Hegde in 1994, became too aggressive and arrogant. The party started diminishing. Now even the top leaders of the party are unable to win an election. Similar is the case in respect of the Samajwadi Party, BSP, RJD, RLD, INLD, TDP, CPIM, etc., and Congress, too, is following them in letter and spirit.
All these parties have been too powerful for regional or national parties that never expected to be overpowered. But now they are finding survival difficult. In the past two successive elections, in 2014 and 2019, the Narendra Modi factor played a significant role in Lok Sabha polls. The state BJP poll strategists believe Moditva will remain an integral factor even today. And people will decide on the Modi factor. Yet the party believes it will have to strengthen its own organization to take on the election challenges. Unlike in the past, when the Shiv Sena and BJP alliance fought against the Congress-NCP alliance, the dynamics have changed.
In the past year, the BJP’s Operation Lotus led to splits in two regional parties: the Shiv Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray and the NCP led by Sharad Pawar. The Shiv Sena led by CM Eknath Shinde and the NCP led by Deputy CM Ajit Pawar have pledged support to the BJP both in government and in the pre-poll alliance for 2024. This time, the elections ahead will be really interesting for everyone.
(Any suggestions, comments or dispute with regards to this article send us on feedback@afternoonvoice.com)
Money laundering case: SC dismisses pleas of TN Minister Senthil Balaji, wife against his arrest 6
The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed the pleas of Tamil Nadu minister V Senthil Balaji and his wife Megala challenging the Madras High Court order upholding his arrest in a money laundering case.
A bench of Justices A S Bopanna and M M Sundresh also referred to a large bench the issue that police custody is not permissible beyond the first 15 days of remand.
Balaji, who continues to be a minister without portfolio in the Tamil Nadu government even after his arrest on June 14, and his wife assailed a Madras High Court order upholding his arrest by the probe agency in a money laundering case arising out of the alleged cash-for-jobs scam in the state’s transport department.
Rajya Sabha Chairman revokes suspension of Congress MP Rajani Patil from House 8
Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Monday revoked the suspension of Congress MP Rajani Ashokrao Patil after a motion was moved and adopted in the House. The MP was suspended from the House in February this year for videographing proceedings and violating rules.
Patil was initially suspended for the budget session of Parliament, but her suspension was extended on the last day of session. Invoking Rule 266 read with Rule 256, the Chairman then said that the February 10, 2023 suspension order of Rajani Ashokrao Patil may continue to be in force beyond the current session and till the House has the benefit of the recommendations by the Privileges Committee.
The opposition parties have been seeking revocation of her suspension. Dhankhar announced the decision to revoke Patil’s suspension after BJP MP Saroj Pandey raised the matter.
Not much business could be transacted in the Rajya Sabha in the morning session on Monday as the House was adjourned till 2 pm following protests by the opposition. The opposition has been seeking a detailed discussion on Manipur violence and a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Ruling party members sought to raise the issue of crimes against women in Congress-ruled Rajasthan.
The Lok Sabha Secretariat on Monday restored the membership of Rahul Gandhi after the Supreme Court on August 4 stayed his conviction in the ‘Modi’ surname remark case. The Congress leader who was disqualified from the lower house in March 2023 was reinstated as the Wayanad MP.
“In continuation of Notification No. 21/4(3)/2023/TO(B), dated March 24, 2023, the Supreme Court of India has passed an order on August 4, 2023, in Special Leave to Appeal (Crl.) No. 8644/2023, staying the conviction of Rahul Gandhi, Member of Lok Sabha representing the Wayanad Parliamentary Constituency of Kerala, which was ordered by the judgment dated 23.03.2023 of the Court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Surat in C.C./ 18712/2019,” an official notification issued by Lok Sabha secretariat read.
“In view of order dated 04.08.2023 of the Supreme Court of India, the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi, notified vide Gazette Notification no. 21/4(3)/2023/TO(B) dated the 24th March, 2023 in terms of the provisions of Article 102(1)(e) of the Constitution of India read with Section 8 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, has ceased to operate subject to further judicial pronouncements,” it added.
The Supreme Court, in an interim order on Friday, stayed Gandhi’s conviction in the criminal defamation case over the ‘Modi surname’ remark. The apex court issued notices to the Gujarat government and the complainant in July on an appeal by the Congress leader challenging the Gujarat High Court order.
The Gujarat High Court, had, in its earlier order, declined to stay Rahul’s conviction in the criminal defamation case in which Rahul was sentenced to two years in jail by the Surat court over the ‘Modi surname’ remark. After his conviction in the case, Gandhi was disqualified as an MP from Kerala’s Wayanad on March 24.
Dy CM Fadnavis says 'love jihad' laws of various states being studied 11
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday said the state government was thinking about introducing a law to curb “love jihad” but will study similar legislations in other states before taking a decision.
Love jihad is a term used by right-wing activists and outfits to allege a conspiracy by Muslim men to convert Hindu women to Islam through marriage.
“Many cases have come up of girls getting married and converting. There is demand from all corners to make a law against this. Earlier, I had made an announcement in the House also. Accordingly, study of laws in various states is on and then the decision about it in Maharashtra will be taken,” Fadnavis said.
Imran Khan sentenced to three years in prison in Toshakhana corruption case 13
A court in Pakistan on Saturday sentenced Imran Khan to three years in prison in a corruption case in which the embattled former prime minister is accused of profiting from selling expensive state gifts when he was in power.
Additional Judge Humayun Dilawar of the Islamabad-based district and sessions judge also imposed Rs 100,000 fine on Khan, adding that he would be kept in jail for another six months if failed to pay the fine.
Khan, 70, was convicted in the Toshakhana case which was filed last year on the complaint of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) which had earlier disqualified him in the same case.
The verdict came a day after the Islamabad High Court (IHC) set aside a session court’s verdict to uphold the maintainability of the Toshakhana case for criminal proceedings against Khan.
The Toshakhana issue over the sale of state gifts received by the former cricketer-turned-politician became a major issue in national politics after the ECP disqualified Khan on October 21, 2022, for making “false statements and incorrect declaration”.
The Toshakhana is a department under the Cabinet Division that stores gifts given to rulers and government officials by heads of other governments and foreign dignitaries. Khan bought some of the gifts, including a precious watch, and sold the same for profit.
The Rouse Avenue Court on Saturday accepted the bail bond of Congress leader Jagdish Tytler in the case of killings in the Pul Bangash area in 1984 during the anti-Sikh Riots. The Sessions Court of Rouse Avenue Court on Friday granted anticipatory bail to Jagdish Tytler in the case. While the proceeding was going on in the court, Members of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) staged a sit-in protest outside the Court against its decision of granting bail to Tytler and raised slogans against him.
Protesting members demanded the cancellation of bail granted to Jagdish Tytler and prosecution of him under severe sections of the Indian Penal Code. During the protest, a minor scuffle also broke out between members of the DSGMC and Delhi Police personnel outside the court after the entry gate of the courtroom was closed for security reasons.
During the Court proceeding on Saturday, the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Vidhi Gupta Anand accepted the bail bond of Jagdish Tytler, who was granted anticipatory bail on Friday on one lac bail bond and like amount surety. Meanwhile, the Court also directed CBI to supply a charge sheet to Jagdish Tytler and listed the matter for scrutiny of a supplementary charge sheet against Jagdish Tytler. The next date of hearing is August 11, 2023.
During the arguments on bail, CBI through Public Prosecutor Amit Jindal had opposed Jagdish Tytler’s anticipatory bail plea and said the witnesses have come forward showing great courage and the possibility of influencing them cannot be ruled out. CBI said that as per the statement of new witnesses, prima facie the role of Jagdish Tytler appears. CBI said that the case is decided on the basis of merit, now relief cannot be sought on the basis of doubt.
Senior Advocate HS Phoolka who appeared for victims said that this is the first such case in the country where three times a closure report was filed and three times the court rejected the closure report. Phoolka said that the court will decide on the edge of merit in the case, whether the maximum death sentence should be given or not, it is a matter of trial. HS Phoolka said that this is not just a case of the killing of 3 Sikhs, it is a case related to the massacre of Sikhs. HS Phoolka said that 3000 people were killed in broad daylight in Delhi. HS Phoolka said that people who raped and killed Sikh women were honoured, that’s why we are all seeing what is happening in Manipur today.
HS Phoolka said that the same pattern of killings that took place during partition at the time of independence was also seen in Sikh riots, Gujarat, Muzaffarnagar, and other places. Not only the witnesses but the lawyers were also threatened in the case added the Lawyer HS Phoolka. During arguments, Tytler Lawyer Manu Sharma submitted that the incident of 1984, a day after Gandhi was assassinated. The exact time of the incident was never ascertained by the probe agency. It’s a sorry incident for our nation it’s unpardonable. After the report of the Nanavati Commission, the CBI started the investigation into the case.
Delhi Police twice and CBI once said nothing was found against Tytler. CBI had filed a closure report in the case after that CBI filed a charge sheet against me on the basis of statements of some new witnesses 11 months before the Lok Sabha elections, he added. Tytler’s lawyer also submitted that CBI filed a closure report several times in the case and opposed the protest petition too. Tytler’s lawyer said CBI had given a clean chit by filing a charge sheet in 2007, 2014.
Tytler’s lawyer said CBI filed a charge sheet in May 2023 and made him an accused. Tytler’s lawyer said that in this case, “witnesses have come forward after four decades… it has to be seen what the investigating agency has done earlier. CBI did not arrest him during the entire investigation. Whether Tytler ever not cooperated in the investigation and whether he ever influenced any witness.”
“He is 79 years of age and has medical issues. He has many health problems. He has undergone a bypass surgery and has also been twice afflicted by Covid-19. He is also not of sound mental health,” his lawyer said further. Congress Leader Jagdish Tytler on Tuesday moved his anticipatory bail plea in the Delhi Rouse Avenue Court in the case of killings in the Pul Bangash area in 1984.
Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sablalenka headline Canadian Open draw; Venus Williams faces Madison Keys 17
The World No.1 Iga Swiatek and No.2 Aryna Sablalenka lead the Canadian Open draw, which includes the comeback of former No.1 Caroline Wozniacki, the tournament announced the draw for the first WTA 1000 of the summer.
Wozniacki has been drawn in the top half of the draw for her first tournament after declaring her retirement in 2020. She will face a qualifier in the first round. If she wins, she might face Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova in the second round. The Czech is seeded ninth and will face Egypt’s Mayar Sherif in the first round.
Swiatek, who won her fourth championship of the season in Warsaw last month, will face either former No. 1 Karolina Pliskova or China’s Zhu Lin in the first round. In the third round, a replay of the French Open final might take place against 14th seed Karolina Muchova, who meets Anastasia Potapova in her opening. The top two Americans, No.4 Jessica Pegula and No.6 Coco Gauff, anchor the second part of the draw. No.13 seed Madison Keys will face Venus Williams in the first round, with Pegula possible in the third.
Gauff will face either Canada’s Rebecca Marino or a qualifier after a first-round bye. In the third round, the 19-year-old American might face Vondrousova or Wozniacki. The third quarter of the draw is led by No. 3 Elena Rybakina and No. 5 Caroline Garcia. The seeds in this quarter are rounded out by No.19 seed Daria Kasatkina, who opens against Elise Mertens, and No.16 seed Victoria Azarenka. Jennifer Brady, who is still in the early stages of her comeback, meets Jelena Ostapenko in the opening round, with the victor going on to face Rybakina.
No.2 Sabalenka and No.7 seed Petra Kvitova lead the last quarter of the draw. Following a bye in the first round, the newlywed Czech will face either Bianca Andreescu or a qualifier. Sabalenka is competing in her first tournament after reaching the Wimbledon semifinals. In the second round, she will face either Petra Martic or a qualifier.
Case registered against ex-mayor Kishori Pednekar and others in connection with Covid centres scam 19
The Mumbai Police Economic Offences Wing (EOW) on Saturday said that a has been registered against former mayor Kishori Pednekar in connection with the alleged Covid centre scam.
The Agripada Police Station has filed the case against Pednekar and two other civic officials in the matter which is also being probed by Enforcement Directorate (ED).
After the issue of irregularities in the tendering process was raised by the BJP’s Kirit Somaiya, the ED had raided certain locations as part of its probe last month.
It was alleged that the body bags to carry dead Covid victims were costing barely Rs 2,000, but were purchased for Rs 6,800.
Somaiya, who had filed his complaint on July 13, claimed that body bags costing Rs 1,500 were bought for Rs 6,700 and the police have booked Pednekar, an Additional Municipal Commissioner, and a private company based in Aurangabad, Vedant Innotech Pvt. Ltd.
“Case registered against former Mumbai Mayor and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Kishori Pednekar & others by EOW (Economic Offences Wing) under sections 420 (Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) and 120(B) (Punishment of criminal conspiracy) of the IPC in connection with alleged COVID centre scam,” the police said.
