Vigilance Directorate in Delhi recommends investigation for constructing school in alleged 1300 crore scam

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November 25, 2022

Arvind Kejriwal,Delhi,School, education — Arvind Kejriwal | Image :ANI

Delhi government’s vigilance directorate (DoV) has recommended a “detailed investigation by a specialized agency” into the “grave irregularities and corruption” by the Arvind Kejriwal Government in the construction of 2,405 classrooms in 193 government schools in the national capital.

According to DoV sources, the Delhi government’s vigilance directorate has submitted its report to the Chief Secretary in the matter.

The Vigilance Department has also recommended “fixing the responsibilities of the concerned officials of the Education Department and PWD” who were involved in the alleged bungling to the tune of nearly Rs 1300 crore.

It has also recommended forwarding its findings along with the replies of Public Works Department (PWD) and the Education Department to the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) for consideration.

The CVC, in a report dated February 17, 2020, highlighted irregularities in the construction of additional classrooms in different schools of the Delhi Government by the Public Works Department (PWD).

The CVC, in February 2020, had sent the report to the DoV seeking its comments on the matter but the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government did not pursue the matter for two-and-half years until Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, directed the Chief Secretary to inquire into the delay in August this year, and submit a report in this regard. “Apart from several procedural lapses and violation of rules and manuals to tamper with the tender process, the DoV, in its report, has specifically underlined the role of private persons viz. ‘M/s Babbar and Babbar Associates’, who, without being appointed as a consultant, not only attended a crucial meeting held on June 21, 2016, in the chamber of the then PWD Minister but also influenced the Minister for post-tender changes done in the work contracts in the name of “richer specifications” that resulted into additional financial implications of Rs 205.45 crore, the report said.

“Extra constitutional agencies/persons (like M/s Babbar & Babbar Associates) were running the administration and dictating the terms and conditions to the officers and the entire administration both at policy level as well as the execution level were implementing such directions of a private person in a place like National Capital of the Country, which is not only against TBR, 1993 and other rules, regulations and guidelines, besides being a serious threat to securities aspect.

This kind of approach will lead to administrative anarchy and chaos,” the report further reads. In April, 2015, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal directed the construction of additional classrooms in Delhi government schools. The PWD was entrusted the task of constructing 2405 classrooms in 193 schools.

It carried out a survey to find out the requirement of the classrooms and based on the survey, projected a total requirement of 7180 equivalent classrooms (ECR) in 194 schools, almost three times the requirement of 2405 classrooms.

CVC received a complaint on August 25, 2019, regarding irregularities and cost overrun in the construction of classrooms. The construction cost escalated by upto 90 per cent in the name of “richer specifications” without calling tender. The Delhi Government sanctioned cost escalation of Rs 500 crore without tender. Blatant violation of GFR, CPWD Works Manual and poor quality of construction and incomplete work.

According to the findings of the CVC investigation report, tenders were floated for the works originally proposed and approved, but later on, awarded contract value varied from 17 per cent to 90 per cent on account of “richer specifications”.

The cost escalated to the extent of Rs.326.25 crore, which is 53% higher than the awarded amount of tender. “In 194 schools, 1214 toilets were constructed against the requirement of 160 toilets with extra expenditure of Rs 37 crore.

Toilets were counted and projected as classrooms by Delhi Government. Only 4027 classrooms were constructed in 141 schools.

The sanctioned amount for these projects was Rs.989.26 crore and the award value of all tenders was Rs 860.63 crore, but the actual expenditure went upto Rs 1315.57 crore.

No fresh tender was called but carrying out the additional work. A number of works were left incomplete. Gross violation of GFR, CPWD Works Manual and CVC Guidelines,” it said.

FIFA WC 22: South Korea-Uruguay play out goal less draw; Both teams shares one point each

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ANI

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November 24, 2022

FIFA World Cup 2022 Qatar South Korea Uruguay — Image: Twitter / @FIFAWorldCup

Uruguay and South Korea made numerous inroads but failed to convert it into goals in Group H clash here at the Education City Stadium.

South Korea captain Heung-Min Son played with a face mask after suffering a fractured eye socket earlier this month, but the Tottenham Hotspur forward was unable to have much of an impact on the game.

The Uruguay team went on to hit the post twice but failed to get past South Korea’s defence. The Koreans started the game with plenty of pressing in the first half. Heung-min Son floated one corner in but Uruguay cleared it eventually.

The Asian team was on charge. In the first half, Uruguay captain Diego Godin went on to hit the post with his header while Hwang Ui-jo came close to scoring for South Korea.

In the 34th minute, Hwang Ui-Jo (Korea Republic) right-footed shot from the centre of the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Kim Moon-Hwan with a cross.

In the 43rd minute, Godin went on to hit the left post with a header from the centre of the box. Assisted by Federico Valverde with a cross following a corner.

In the stoppage time of the first half, Jose Gimenez’s header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Mathias Olivera with a cross following a set piece situation.

Both teams have had plenty of openings but failed to convert them into goals.

The Spurs attacker and South Korean skipper Heung-min Son had surgery earlier this month after suffering a fracture around his left eye in a collision during a Champions League game.

Uruguay tried to make the pitch really wide and put the ball over the backline as South Koreans were compact in their defence.

South Koreans too were on the front foot and were excellent in possession causing problems for Uruguay. Darwin Nunez had a few attempts in front of the goal but went on to hit it wide in the 81st minute.

In the 90th minute, Federico Valverde produced a powerful shot from distance in the 90th minute but could not find a breakthrough.

Uruguay had 56 per cent of the possession compared to South Korea, which had 44. Uruguay had only one shot on target while South Korea had none. The Asian side did ten fouls while Uruguay had 7.

India, Iran discuss development of Chabahar Port

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ANI

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November 24, 2022

India and Discussion on Chabahar Port Afghanistan — Image: Twitter

India and Iran discussed the development of the Chabahar Port and exchanged views on regional and international issues including Afghanistan as both sides held delegation-level talks.

Taking to Twitter, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, “India and Iran held Foreign Office Consultations today, led by Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra and Deputy FM Ali Bagheri Kani of Iran. Both sides discussed bilateral relations, including the development of Chabahar Port. Also discussed regional & international issues of mutual interest.”

Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra led the Indian delegation while the Iranian delegation was led by Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Ali Bagheri Kani, according to the statement released by MEA.

During the delegation-level talks, both sides discussed the entire gamut of bilateral relations including political, economic, cultural, and consular engagement. The two sides reiterated their commitment to continue cooperation for the development of the Shahid Beheshti terminal of the Chabahar Port.

Both countries exchanged views on regional and international issues including Afghanistan. The Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister briefed the Foreign Secretary on issues related to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the statement reads.

During the visit, Iran’s Ali Bagheri met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday and discussed bilateral cooperation and the JCPOA.

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action is also known as the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement. India-Iran relations span millennia marked by meaningful interactions.

Since the diplomatic relationship has been established in 1950 with the friendship treaty, the visits on the ministerial level have increased.

Earlier, in September, Iranian Foreign Minister H Amirabdollahian spoke to Jaishankar. The two countries have in place several bilateral consultative mechanisms at various levels which meet regularly. These include the Joint Committee Meeting (JCM) chaired at the Ministerial level, the Foreign Office Consultations chaired at the Foreign Secretary level, and the Joint Consular Committee Meeting at the level of Joint Secretary/DG.

India-Iran commercial ties were traditionally dominated by the Indian import of Iranian crude oil. In 2018-19 India imported USD 12.11 billion worth of crude oil from Iran.

However, following the end of the Significant Reduction Exemption (SRE) period on May 2, 2019, India has suspended importing crude from Iran.

The bilateral trade during 2019-20 was USD 4.77 billion, a decrease of 71.99 percent as compared to the trade of USD 17.03 billion from 2018-19. What is significant is that Indian exports to Iran between 2011-12 and 2019-20 have grown by 45.60 percent.

India’s major exports to Iran include rice, tea, sugar, soya, medicines/pharmaceuticals, man-made staple fibers, electrical machinery, etc. Major imports from Iran include inorganic/organic chemicals, fertilizers, cement clinkers, fruits and nuts, leather, etc.

Both countries are negotiating a Preferential Trade Agreement, on which five rounds of talks have been held so far. India is developing the 1st phase of Shahid Beheshti Port at Chabahar.

The capacity of the port will reach 8.5 MT at the end of the first phase.

During the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Tehran in May 2016, the contract on the Shahid Beheshti port of Chabahar was signed which, inter-alia, comprises an investment of USD 85 million for procuring equipment for the port.

“Shraddha Murder Case is not about ‘Love Jihad'”, says AIMIM chief Owaisi

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ANI

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November 24, 2022

Shraddha Walker Murder Case AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi Love Jihad — Image: PTI

Citing the bone-chilling Shraddha Walkar murder case, All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Thursday called out the Bharatiya Jantiya Party (BJP) for giving the issue a “religious angle” and said that the incident is not about “love jihad.”

The All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi said that BJP politics over this is completely wrong.

“BJP politics over this is completely wrong. It’s not an issue of love jihad but of exploitation and abuse against a woman and that is how it should be viewed and condemned,” Owaisi said.

Recalling the Azamgarh incident where a man murdered his wife and kept her in a suitcase, the AIMIM chief said that such incidents are saddening, should not be politicised and given a Hindu-Muslim angle. Owaisi took a dig at Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for giving the incident a religious angle while campaigning in Delhi.

Earlier on November 20, CM Sarma said that India needs a Uniform Civil Code and a law against ‘love jihad’. During the roadshow in Delhi ahead of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi elections, the Assam Chief Minister said “India does not need a person like Aaftab (Shraddha murder case accused) but a person like Lord Ram, a leader like Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”

On his party contesting only 13 seats in the Gujarat assembly polls, Owaisi said that we trust the people and constitution of the country, and our fight will strengthen Indian democracy.

“We do not need permission from any other party to fight elections, it is our right. We trust the people and constitution of the country, our fight will strengthen Indian democracy,” he said while talking to media.

Shivaji Maharaj the most loved worrier of Maharashtra and India

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Vaidehi Taman

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November 24, 2022

Chhtrapati Shivaji maharajah — Image Credit: Agencies

Even the ruling BJP disapproved of the governor’s remarks. As the controversy raged, almost every political party in Maharashtra lapped it up to draw political mileage. This wasn’t the first controversy involving the 17th century king, nor is it going to be the last. The significance of Shivaji and many things associated with his name makes him the most exploited icon in Maharashtra’s politics for more than five decades. For political parties, Shivaji is not just a political constituency, but his name is a currency that allows politicians to reach out to Marathas who account for 33 % of Maharashtra’s overall population.

Maharashtra governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari made several controversial statements and this time he cam under attack because it was humiliation to Shivaji Maharaj. Koshyari referred to Shivaji as a “hero of the past era” while hailing Dr BR Ambedkar and union minister Nitin Gadkari as “present heroes”. A fresh controversy was erupted in Maharashtra. The state’s governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi are under fire over their remarks on the Maratha warrior king. His comments triggered a political storm in Maharashtra with activists of the opposition Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), the Congress, the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), and other outfits staging protests against the remarks deemed as an “insult” to the 17th century Maratha warrior king and also the state, and called for Koshyari’s ouster from the Raj Bhavan.

It’s for the same reason that most political parties including Shiv Sena, BJP, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Congress have on occasions tried to appropriate Shivaji’s legacy, something that the warrior king’s own descendants are not indifferent to as they too dabble in politics. Like political establishments, historians and the bodies they are affiliated with have also behaved opportunistically by selectively projecting Shivaji’s history. This was evident when the Maharashtra government conferred the Maharashtra Bhooshan award on Babasaheb Purandare, a Brahmin author who created a larger than life image of Shivaji, as he faced opposition from Brigade and other Maratha historians like Srimant Kokate.

Earlier also Koshyari, during a programme in Aurangabad, underlined the role of the guru (teacher) while speaking about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Chandragupta Maurya. The Governor’s remarks on the Maratha warrior king have attracted criticism from the political parties and various organizations asking him to offer an apology and asking the Centre to recall him. Also, the activists of Congress, NCP and various organizations such as Sambhaji Brigade, Maratha Mahasangh and others held protests in various parts of the state to condemn Koshyari’s remarks and sought his resignation.

Shivaji Maharaj and Samarath Ramdas were contemporary; there are no records or texts that show that they ever met. Shivaji Maharaj has given donations to the temples of the Samartha Ramdas. Many debates and discussions have taken place in the past on this particular issue. The issue about the supremacy of brahmins over non-brahmins has been going on for centuries. Ramdas Swami was falsely portrayed as the Guru of Great Shivaji Maharaj which he never was! He initiated his works of Ramdasi in 1649, while Shivaji Maharaj had conquered the first fort in 1645, 4 years before his arrival! Even those who claim him as teacher of Shivaji the king, claim that they had their first meeting in 1671 at the coronation of Shivaji as Chhatrapati, that’s just 9 years before the death of Shivaji Maharaj! How could he be the influential or inspiration for Shivaji Maharaj for the formation of his kingdom?

For any Marathi or rather Indian Shivaji Maharaj should stand as a source of inspiration. The entire history of Maharaj presents us the guide to build an ideal nation. If it was not for Shivaji Maharaj, we Indians would only have the stories of defeats and humiliation of the good three centuries of history.

Maharashtra is “Obsessed” with Shivaji for the simple reason that without Shivaji the entire India might have become Muslim today. So what you call “Obsession” is actually a true and justified recognition of the historic and unique greatness of an authentic, proud and heroic Hindu Indian who represents the best of the Indian spirit and tradition.

“Actor Vikram Gokhale is alive and being shifted to critical care unit” said Doctors

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Web Team

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November 24, 2022

Vikram Ghokale,actor,Maharashtra — Vikram Ghokale | Image : ANI

On November, 24 there were lot of rumours on social media of the Actor Vikram Gokhale has been passed away but letter has been released from the Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital and Research Center stating “Doctors are trying their best for the actor’s recovery and rumours of him being passed away is false”.

Earlier after hearing the rumour on social media people were pouring condolences of his demise and rest in peace after this doctors of the hospital gave the information that actor is still alive and every effort is made for his recovery.

The speculation which is made on social media of Vikram Gokhale been deeply comatose and unresponsive are completely false.

The meeting was taken place between the actor’s family members and the doctors who were treating the actor in the hospital. Actor Gokhale is going though the illness of multiple organ failure due to which he was admitted to the hospital in Pune.

After rumours of the actor’s death family members said he is in critical care unit and being treated.

Actor Vikram Gokhale has worked as stage actor in Marathi and Hindi films also in the films sharing screen space with bollywood actor Salman khan.

Lt General Asim Munir named as army chief of Pak

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ANI

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November 24, 2022

Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir — Image: Twitter

Lieutenant General Asim Munir has been named as the new Pakistan Army chief to replace incumbent General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Pakistan’s information and broadcasting minister announced on Thursday.

Munir was among those in Pakistan who oversaw the 2019 Pulwama terror attack, according to Tilak Devasher, a member of the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB) and who retired as Special Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat.

“It was under his (Lt Gen Munir’s) watch that the Pulwama attack took place and he was DG of the ISI in November and this happened in February 2019. He also served in the areas in the core that overlooks or deals with Kashmir in India. So, he is very familiar with this area” Devasher told to media.

Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated following the suicide attack in which 40 CRPF personnel lost their lives when their convoy was attacked on the Jammu Srinagar highway on February 14, 2019. Lt Gen Munir is expected to take over as Pakistan Chief of Army Staff (COAS) from 61-year-old Bajwa, who is scheduled to retire on November 29.

On the impact of General Munir becoming the new army chief of Pakistan, Devasher said, “No army chief of Pakistan has been friendly towards India. So, Asim Munir is not going to break the mould. He will continue to have a hardline stance towards India.”

Devasher said, “If problems in Pakistan escalate and he has the experience. It’s quite likely, India should have to be prepared that he is going to be…and he has this thing on Pulwama. So, we need to be very careful on this particular score.”

India has been closely watching the development as the new Pakistani Army chief is expected to influence the government’s stance on Islamabad-New Delhi relations as well as Pakistan’s policies towards “all-weather ally” China and also the United States.

Pakistan has recently been taken off the watchlist of the global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The country is also facing an extremely precarious economic situation.

According to experts, Pakistan has always resorted to terrorist attacks against India to keep tensions alive. “…they cannot afford to do anything against India, given the strong reaction India has shown in the past that if you do anything we will hit you back. So, he (Lt Gen Munir) will have to watch his steps very carefully. But, we will have to be certainly very careful”

According to Devasher, who has authored three books on Pakistan. Lt Gen Munir has served both as head of Military Intelligence, and as the head of Pakistan’s spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). He served in the position of the head of military intelligence for a period of 21 months starting 2017.

In October 2018, he became director-general of ISI but was removed from the post by Bajwa at the instance of the then Prime Minister Imran Khan. Notably, Khan blamed the army for playing a part in his ouster earlier this year.

According to Devasher, during the reign of the PML(N) government in Pakistan four or five army chiefs were appointed without following seniority in the armed forces.

“For the first time the Sharifs have appointed the senior most in the hope that they have made the mistake in the past of not picking the senior most. Now they are picking the senior most, hopefully, things will be smooth. So, we will have to wait and see if the Sharifs have better luck in the appointment of this army chief who is the senior most than they had in the past,” Devasher said.

Earlier today, Pakistan’s Information and Broadcasting Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb via a tweet confirmed the name of Lt Gen Munir for the post of COAS. She also announced the appointment of Lieutenant General Sahir Shamshad Mirza as the chairman of Pakistan’s joint chiefs of staff.

“The Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has decided to appoint Lt. Gen. Sahir Shamshad Mirza as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Lt. Gen. Syed Asim Munir as the Chief of the Army Staff using the constitutional authority. A summary of this has been sent to the President of Pakistan,” Aurangzeb said in a tweet.

Earlier on Wednesday, Pakistan’s Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that it had received the summary for the appointment of chairman joint chiefs of staff committee and chief of the army staff.

Maharashtra Gov Koshiyari summoned to Delhi

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Web Team

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November 24, 2022

Mumbai Maharashtra governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari, who is at centre of controversy over his remarks on Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji, is due to make an unscheduled trip to Delhi on Thursday, fuelling speculations whether it is connection with the ongoing controversy Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar claimed that the Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari had told Ajit Pawar that he wanted to be relieved of his post. While expressing disapproval about Koshyari’s recent remarks about Shivaji Maharaj, he also wondered if Koshyari was making such controversial statements only to force the Union government to shift him out of Maharashtra.
“Many times when I visited governor Koshyari at Raj Bhavan, he told me in as many words that he wanted to leave the state,” Pawar said. “I even asked him to convey this to his seniors so that they consider his wish,” said the Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly. “He should not have said such things,” Pawar said, referring to the remark about Shivaji Maharaj.
BJP MP Chhatrapati Udayanraje Bhosale on Gov Koshiyari’s statement “Governor has been summoned to Delhi. I think they will replace him & they should replace him. He is creating disharmony among people at large. This is not going to stop unless a solution is provided”.
Governor has crossed all limits; President & PM should intervene in this matter. It is not right to give big posts to people who make irresponsible statements: NCP chief Sharad Pawar.
Koshyari’s remarks that King Shivaji was an old idol, has landed him in trouble with opposition parties, as well as three descendants of the Maratha king. The two descendants who are currently with the BJP have sought action against the governor. The opposition parties have demanded his repatriation for “the insult to king Shivaji.”
Chief minister Eknath Shinde-led Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena too has conveyed its unhappiness over Koshyari’s remarks to the BJP, who have now distanced itself from his comments.
Koshyari will be leaving for Delhi on November 24 and will return the next day — November 25. There is no confirmation from Raj Bhavan about who he will be meeting during the trip. However, it is being speculated that Koshyari will hold a meeting with the union home minister Amit Shah.

Sharad Pawar slams Koshiyari over Shivaji Maharaj remarks

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ANI

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November 24, 2022

Sharad Pawar Bhagat Singh Koshyari Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj — Image: PTI

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar on Thursday slammed Bhagat Singh Koshiyari over his remarks on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and said that Maharashtra Governor has crossed “all limits”.

He further sought intervention from PM Modi on the matter.

While addressing a press conference, Pawar said “The Governor has crossed all limits. The President and the Prime Minister should intervene in this matter. It is wrong to give big posts to people who make irresponsible statements.”

Moreover, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s descendant and Raja Sabha MP Udayanraje Bhonsle wrote a letter to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his remarks on the Maratha warrior demanding the Governor to be sacked from his post.

“The statements made by the governor and the spokesperson of BJP are very contradictory to the beliefs of the nation it would only be appropriate if you could take measures to remove Governor of Maharashtra. Your actions and deliberations in resolving this current standoff would go miles in restoring the confidence of the people of Maharashtra and the nation, that you stand in solidarity with the people’s belief and faith in Chh. Shivaji Maharaj. Thanking you,” read the letter.

Notably, Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari on November 19 stoked a fresh controversy by calling Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj an ‘old idol’.

Addressing a function at Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University in Aurangabad on Saturday, the Maharashtra Governor said, “If someone asks who your idol is, you don’t have to go out looking for one. You will find them right here in Maharashtra. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj has become an old idol now, you can find new ones — from Babasaheb Ambedkar to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari.”

The statement sparked a massive furor and drew censure from Maratha organizations and Opposition leaders alike. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is an emotive and iconic figure in Maharashtra, transcending political affiliations, and the governor’s remark on the Maratha warrior did not go down well with leaders. It sparked a massive furor and drew censure from Maratha organisations and Opposition leaders alike.

Ajit Pawar seeks Centre’s intervention after Bommai’s remark on Maha-Karnataka border dispute

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ANI

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November 24, 2022

Ajit Pawar Maharashtra Karnataka Border Dispute — Image: PTI

Maharashtra Leader of Opposition Ajit Pawar on Thursday condemned Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai’s remarks on the border dispute between the two states and asked Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his Deputy Devendra Fadnavis to “give a strong answer”. He further sought the Centre’s intervention on the issue.

This comes after Bommai indulged in a war of words with Fadnavis over the border issue between the two states and called the remarks of the Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister “provocative”.

“Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has made a provocative statement on the Karnataka Maharashtra border issue and his dream will never come true. Our government is committed to protecting the country’s land, water and borders,” Bommai tweeted on Wednesday evening. Fadnavis had said that no village in Maharashtra will go to Karnataka.

“No village in Maharashtra will go to Karnataka! The state government will fight strongly in the Supreme Court to get Marathi-speaking villages including Belgaum-Karwar-Nipani!” he had tweeted.

Reacting on the issue, Pawar said, “After claiming the villages of Jat taluka in Sangli district, now the Karnataka Chief Minister has claimed Akkalkot and Solapur too. I strongly condemn the statement of the Karnataka Chief Minister. Our Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis should give a strong answer. The centre should intervene immediately. The case is pending in court. It’s to distract people and divert attention from inflation, unemployment.”

Pawar also made an ironic remark that now only Mumbai is left to be demanded.

Karnataka CM Bommai had earlier said that the border row has become a political tool in Maharashtra, and any party in power will raise the issue for political purposes. My government is capable of protecting the borders of Karnataka and has taken steps also, Bommai had said.

All the war of words broke out after Bommai claimed that some villages in Maharashtra’s Sangli district, which are having a water crisis, passed a resolution seeking a merger with Karnataka.

However, the Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister denied the claims and said that no such village has sought a merger with Karnataka in recent times.