Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena leader Rahul Shewale rubbished the allegations of rape on the pretext of marriage by a woman, and accused her of “blackmailing” him.
While addressing a press conference, the Eknath Shinde faction leader said “The lady who accused me, her brother is herself in jail in a murder case, her mother has a criminal background, and her brother is a drug peddler, and her sister is working as a bar girl. She has connections with the underworld don Dawood Ibrahim and even Pakistan.”
He further alleged that she has been blackmailing him using ‘fake’ social media accounts.
“Once I stopped giving money to her, she started blackmailing me. She has created a fake account on Twitter and other social media platforms and was accessing them from Dubai. I have also informed Uddhav Thackeray as well about that lady’s background,” he further said.
After a successful nationwide tour, the prestigious trophy for the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023 Bhubaneswar-Rourkela made its way back to Odisha on Sunday.
The magnificent trophy tour kicked off on December 5 with Chief Minister of Odisha Naveen Patnaik presenting the trophy to Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey in Bhubaneswar.
The trophy travelled across 13 states and one Union territory, including the national capital, New Delhi, over the last three weeks.
The trophy traversed through West Bengal, Manipur, Assam, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, New Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Chhattisgarh, before returning to Bhubaneswar on December 25.
The trophy was received by the Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, Odisha, Tusharkanti Behera, Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey, and Mayor of Bhubaneswar Sulochana Das in the city.
Throughout the national tour, the fans gathered in large numbers to witness the unveiling of the trophy at each venue. And gracing the august occasions were Indian hockey legends and respective state ministers. In the capital, Hon’ble Union Minister of Sports, Youth Affairs, and Minister of Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur graced the occasion and wished the Indian Men’s Hockey Team the very best for the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023 Bhubaneswar-Rourkela.
The trophy will now go on a state-wide tour of Odisha over the next three weeks and will travel around 30 districts.
Addressing the Trophy Tour, Honourable Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik, said, “We congratulate Hockey India for their tremendous efforts in organising the nationwide trophy tour on such a large scale. It was a delight to witness such massive support shown by the fans to our beloved sport all across the country.
Hockey has always been one of the most beloved sports among the people of Odisha, and it is our great pleasure and honour to offer the fans a chance to get a glimpse of the trophy, before the start of the tournament. We are confident that the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023 Bhubaneswar-Rourkela will be an unforgettable spectacle.” Dilip Tirkey, Hockey India President, said, “We are delighted with the tremendous response that we have received for the trophy tour. Across each state, we honoured our legends of the sport who were thrilled to be a part of the campaign. We express our deepest gratitude to them for their participation. We also want to thank the state ministers and officials without whose support the trophy tour would not have been possible. Now, we are excited to embark upon the final leg of the tour across Odisha to give the fans in the state a chance to get a glimpse of the coveted trophy before the start of the tournament.” The FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023 Bhubaneswar-Rourkela will begin from 13th January 2023.
Hosts India, who are placed in Pool D, along with Spain, England, and Wales, opening their campaign against Spain on January 13 as well. Australia, Belgium, Netherlands, India, Argentina, Germany, New Zealand, England, France, Korea, Malaysia, Spain, South Africa, Japan, Chile, and Wales are the 16 teams, who will be competing in the tournament.
BJP MLA Nitesh Rane demanded an investigation and Narco Test against Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray over the Disha Salian Death Case In the ongoing Winter Session of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.
The MLAs of the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena Shinde faction became aggressive in the Assembly and demanded the reopening of the case of Disha Salian’s death.
Veteran Congress leader Ratnakar Mahajan told us, “there is no need to take Nitesh Rane seriously. Maybe he doesn’t know that the court did not accept the Narco test result as evidence.”
Ravikant Varpe, spokesperson of the Nationalist Congress Party said, “Disha Salian’s parents told already not to play politics by her name as this is harming the reputation of the family.”
Shiv Sena MP Rajan Vichare told to Afternoon Voice, “Those people have to look in the mirror first before making these types of allegations. People should not give importance to this.”
Vishakha Raut, Former Mayor of Mumbai said, “This is below-the-belt politics. Those people cannot beat Aaditya education-wise or culture-wise then character assassination is an easy way to put down him politically.”
Former Mayor of Mumbai, Vishwanath Mahadeshwar told us, “This is a conspiracy to defame Aaditya Thackeray. BJP and Shinde faction making these types of accusations knowingly.”
As Christmas Eve take over Mumbai, the churches have become business for pickpockets and chain snatchers. In just two days Bandra police have received many complaints of Mobile phone and wallet theft cases. Many pickpockets keep eye on such events to steal phones and gold chains from unsuspecting visitors. Mount merry churches draw a lot of crowds – and thieves.
Cops estimate the thieves got more light-fingered on the first day, which attracted people across Mumbai, particularly since it was on Saturday. Cops have placed around 100 personnel and a network of CCTV cameras there to keep an eye out for pickpockets. Despite that, several thefts were reported in the queue leading to the Christmas mass. “We witnessed a surge in cases when the numbers of devotees were huge,” said a cop from Bandra police.
“Many devotees who lose their phones don’t report the theft to us, so it’s hard to get the real picture. Nevertheless, we are working day and night to avert any thefts,” said another officer on bandobast duty.
Meanwhile, all roads leading to the church were overcrowded and there was long jam. People were walking foot to foot and the crowd became an advantage for these thieves. Every year, the Mount Mary Basilica in Bandra welcomes thousands of people on Christmas and New Year. It is one of the most happening places in the city during these festival days. The 250-year-old church and its premises will glitter with festive light and different cultural events, carols and celebrations will take place during Christmas as well as New Year. Thousands of people from within the city as well as outside will flock to the basilica. While the festive spirit soars around Mount Mary, it will be calm and serene inside the church. Special masses and prayers were held during eve.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday said the opposition parties have “no love left for Vidarbha” as they are not taking up issues of the region during the ongoing state legislature session in the region’s Nagpur city.
Talking to reporters at the Aurangabad airport in Marathwada region, Shinde said his government was working for the common people and will continue to do so.
The winter session of the Maharashtra legislature is currently underway in Nagpur.
The opposition has been targeting the state government over various issues, including the raging border dispute with neighbouring Karnataka and a controversial allotment of a land parcel in Nagpur in 2021 when Shinde was the urban development minister in the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government.
Vidarbha region, a net producer of power and rich in minerals and forests, comprises 11 districts namely Yavatmal, Akola, Amravati, Wardha, Buldhana, Washim, Nagpur, Chandrapur, Bhandara, Gadchiroli and Gondia.
The region has given four chief ministers Vasantrao Naik, Marotrao Kannamwar, Sudhakarrao Naik and Devendra Fadnavis.
To a question, Shinde on Sunday said the Maharashtra legislature session is underway in Nagpur city of Vidarbha.
“The opposition should have spoken about the issues of Vidarbha and taken up questions pertaining to the region. They have no love left for Vidarbha. It is now visible through their actions,” he said.
The CM was in Aurangabad to address a cleanliness drive organised by the Nanasaheb Dharmadhikari Pratishthan, a non-governmental organisation.
Addressing a gathering after the cleanliness drive, Shinde said, “Our government is based on the common people’s expectations and it will work for them. The work of the Nanasaheb Dharmadhikari Pratishthan is commendable and is giving a good direction to people in the country.”
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati on Sunday launched an attack on the politics being played in the country in the name of religion.
“It is unfair and worrying to create ruckus across the country regarding ‘change of religion.’ Forcibly everything is bad and changing and getting religion changed with bad intentions, both are wrong. Therefore, it is necessary to see and understand this issue from the right perspective. Due to the fundamentalist politics being done regarding this, the country gains less and loses more,” tweeted Mayawati.
2. ’धर्म परिवर्तन’ को लेकर देश भर में बवाल मचाया जाना अनुचित व चिन्तनीय। जबरन हर चीज बुरी होती है और बुरी नीयत से धर्म बदलना व बदलवाना दोनों ही गलत। अतः इस मुद्दे को सही परिप्रेक्ष्य में देखना व समझना जरूरी। इसको लेकर की जा रही कट्टरवादी राजनीति से देश को लाभ कम, हानि ज्यादा। 2/2
Extending her greetings to the countrymen on Christmas, Mayawati expressed hope for peace and harmony among people of all religions.
She took to Twitter and said, “Hearty congratulations and best wishes to all the countrymen and especially to all the brothers and sisters who follow the Christian religion on the occasion of Christmas.” The BSP leader also said, “Under our secular constitution, like people of all other religions in the country, these people should also live their lives with happiness, peace and happiness, this is my wish.” Also, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his greetings to the nation on the occasion of Christmas on Sunday. Extending his greetings to the citizens on the occasion of Christmas, PM Modi expressed hope for further harmony and Joy. “Merry Christmas! May this special day further the spirit of harmony and joy in our society. We recall the noble thoughts of Lord Christ and the emphasis on serving society,” PM Modi tweeted.
1. क्रिसमस पर्व की सभी देशवासियों व ख़ासकर ईसाई मज़हब के मानने वाले समस्त भाई-बहनों को हार्दिक बधाई एवं शुभकामनायें। अपने सेक्युलर संविधान के तहत देश में अन्य सभी धर्म के लोगों की तरह ये लोग भी सुख-शान्ति तथा खुश व खुशहाली के साथ अपना जीवन व्यतीत करें, यही कामना। 1/2
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot once again slammed BJP and RSS over the slogan ‘Jai Siyaram’, chanted during Rahul Gandhi-led ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’.
Targeting BJP and RSS Gehlot said, “They have separated Sita from Ram. That’s why we say ‘Jai Siya Ram Bolo’. When we say ‘Jai Siyaram’, we get overwhelming responses from people.” Gehlot added, people now understood the divisive policies of BJP. “BJP tries to provoke anger and fear by chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram.’ Rahul Gandhi follows the ideals of Gandhi. He conquers fear through love,” said Gehlot.
CM Gehlot was speaking to the media on the sidelines of launching 167 new Basic Life Support Ambulance Service 108 in Jaipur on Sunday. Medical and Health Minister Parsadi Lal Meena, Water Supply Minister Dr Mahesh Joshi and Technical Education Minister Dr Subhash Garg, along with many officials and public representatives attended the programme.
Gehlot also highlighted the message of love, harmony and brotherhood that Rahul Gandhi is trying to spread through the Yatra. “How BJP wins elections in the name of caste creed and religion, is getting clear to people. BJP and RSS propagate themselves as the torch-bearers of Hinduism. Other people are no longer interested in such names,” he said.
At the event, Gehlot also drew parallels between the centre’s scheme of Ayushman Bharat and Rajasthan’s Chiranjeevi Scheme.
He said that “The Ayushman Yojana is limited only to those people who were covered in the socio-economic survey, while the Rajasthan Chiranjeevi Yojana is for people irrespective of class and economic standing. Gehlot also expressed his delight that today the Chiranjeevi scheme has been completed in a grand manner.
“It is implemented in the state government and private hospitals,” added Gehlot. With the sudden spike in covid cases of China, South Korea and Japan, India is also getting ready to combat any untoward situation.
Gehlot said about the state’s preparation, “Rajasthan is fully prepared to combat the covid situation. Arrangements have been made for oxygen in Rajasthan’s Medical Colleges, District Hospitals and Primary Health Centres. Sawai Mansingh Hospital in Jaipur is equipped with advanced infrastructure. A 24-storey IPD tower is also being built in the hospital.” Taking in pride Gehlot said, “People from all over India come to Rajasthan for the superior quality of medical services.”
A court in Vasai, Maharashtra, on Sunday sent actor Sheezan Khan to police custody for four days in connection with TV star Tunisha Sharma’s alleged suicide case.
“Sheezan Khan has been sent to custody for 4 days. Police don’t have any evidence as yet. Allegations are put against him. Further probe is yet to be conducted,” Sheezan Khan’s advocate said.
Earlier in the day, Waliv police produced the accused, Sheezan Khan, before the Vasai Court. Sheezan was arrested after a case of abetment to suicide was registered against him under Section 306 of the Indian Penal Code. Tunisha and Sheezan were co-stars in ‘Ali Baba: Dastaan-E-Kabul’.
On Saturday, Tunisha Sharma was found dead on a TV show’s sets. She had apparently locked herself up in a bathroom during a tea break. When police arrived at the spot they broke open the bathroom door to find the 21-year-old hanging and dead.
On Sunday, Sheezan’s sister and lawyer were seen at the Waliv police station; however, they did not speak to the media. Tunisha was found dead on the sets of a TV serial. According to Waliv Police, they received information that after the tea break, the actress went to the toilet and when she did not come back, the police broke the door open and found her hanging.
No suicide note was recovered at the spot by police. The police have said the reason behind Tunisha’s alleged extreme step that ended her life could be her breakup with Sheezan over a fortnight back.
The First Information Report, or FIR, of the case, revealed that the two actors were in a relationship, and had broken up 15 days ago. Tunisha Sharma was reportedly under stress, and it is suspected that’s what drove her to the edge, said the Mumbai police.
Parth Zutshi, another of Tunisha’s co-stars, was also called by the police on Sunday for questioning regarding the alleged suicide.
“I was called for questioning by police and was asked general questions. I can’t comment on her relations, I don’t have any idea, it was her internal matter,” he told the media.
Parth also stated that though Tunisha had been stressed, she did not take any kind of drugs. Tunisha’s mortal remains were brought to the JJ Hospital, Naigaon at around 1:30 am on Sunday where her post-mortem was conducted.
“The autopsy was conducted till 4:30 am and four to five police personnel were also present,” officials said, adding that the dead body has been kept in cold storage.
Police have said they will investigate the death of Tunisha from both the murder and suicide angles. Tunisha, who made her acting debut with ‘Bharat Ka Veer Putra – Maharana Pratap’, also appeared in Bollywood movies including ‘Fitoor’, ‘Baar Baar Dekho’, ‘Kahaani 2: Durga Rani Singh’, and ‘Dabangg 3’.
A key meeting of the ruling coalition in Nepal ended on Sunday with “no conclusion”, leaders said.
The meeting where leaders of four political parties onboard Nepal’s caretaker government came together on Sunday to reach an agreement on government formation ended without reaching a conclusion.
“The meeting of the ruling coalition ends. No decision has been made,” leaders, who were present in the meeting said. Notably, the discussion was going on at the Prime Minister’s residence in Baluwatar to break the ice and seal an agreement on who will lead the government first.
Earlier, Maoist Center Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal walks out of the coalition meeting and went to Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) president and former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.
Confirming the news of Dahal walking out, Maoist Center’s press secretary said, “Agreement hasn’t been reached.” Earlier, Maoist Centre’s General Secretary Dev Gurung threatened Nepali Congress that they will “walk out” from the coalition if the latter remained adamant on their demand to hold both positions of the president and prime minister. “If the Congress is adamant on their demand of holding the position of President and PM then there’s no need for a coalition. We would simply walk out from it,” Gurung told Agencies over the phone on Sunday. “This same statement was made in Saturday’s meeting and is also conveyed today. We have come to the conclusion in the meeting to walk out of the coalition in case the same instance is repeated. Still, the final decision would be made by the party chairman in the meeting,” he added.
Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda has been insisting that he should lead the government while Nepali Congress has been adamant about its position of leading the government as the largest party.
The political drama is running high in Kathmandu as the deadline given by President Bidya Devi Bhandari to the parties to recommend a name for the Prime Minister within 7 days ends Sunday at 5 PM (local time).
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Sunday asked the Bharatiya Janata Party if it agreed with the view of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s wife Amruta Fadnavis who called Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the father of New India.
This is an ”insult” to Modi as in the new India, ghosts of hunger, poverty, unemployment and terrorism are raising their head, Raut claimed in his weekly column Rokhthok in the party mouthpiece ‘Saamana’, of which he is the executive editor.
”No one in the BJP talks about (freedom fighter) Veer Savarkar being father of the nation. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) was always opposed to Savarkar who underwent rigorous imprisonment. These people have partitioned India into old and new,” the Rajya Sabha member further claimed.
Amruta, a banker and singer, in a mock court interview recently said, “We have two ‘rashtra pita’. Narendra Modi is the father of New India and Mahatma Gandhi is the father of the nation of earlier times.”
It had evoked strong reactions from the opposition Congress as well as Tushar Gandhi, the great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi. Raut on Sunday said doesn’t the BJP acknowledge the independence gained from the martyrdom of freedom fighters. ”Today in the new India, ghosts of hunger, poverty, unemployment, terrorism are raising their head. Making Modi the father of new India is an insult to him,” Raut wrote in the Marathi publication.
He claimed the Father Of the Nation title was given to Mahatma Gandhi by the people of India.
Many political opponents including Shiv Sena founder late Balasaheb Thackeray had objections to it, Raut said.
The issue here is not who is the Father Of The Nation or Sardar.
The matter is about what is the BJP’s contribution to the freedom struggle, he said. ”The BJP and the RSS had no role to play in the freedom movement and hence, they have to steal icons linked to the Congress like Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose,” Raut alleged.
