BJP’s secret pact with MNS will prove counterproductive

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March 12, 2014

The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena has always claimed itself to be the champion of Marathi cause. Few years ago, the party came into limelight after assaulting north Indian students and drivers. Parties like Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress used to condemn the attacks for gaining political mileage out of this issue. As a result of this the saffron party had improved its performance in the 2009 Lok Sabha election held in Uttar Pradesh. Recently, former BJP president Nitin Gadkari had met MNS chief Raj Thackeray and asked him to resist from contesting polls. Shiv Sena was miffed with the growing proximity between BJP and MNS and even asked the former to clarify its stand about it. By shaking hands with MNS the saffron party has betrayed the north Indians.

The MNS had played a spoilsport in the 2009 Lok Sabha election by splitting the Marathi votes thereby causing huge damage to BJP and Shiv Sena. Thus the Congress-NCP benefited out of it as they retained power in the state. The BJP doesn’t want to avert such situation this time hence they are trying to woo Raj Thackeray.

Raj Thackeray announced that MNS won’t field its candidate from those constituencies where BJP is contesting election. He also declared his support for BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi. A question which arises here is how can BJP support a party which had taken an aggressive stand against north Indians in Mumbai and Maharashtra? Is the party only trying to get closer to MNS keeping in mind the forthcoming Lok Sabha election? The BJP will have to face adverse consequences if it forms an alliance with MNS. If the saffron party is really bothered about the welfare of north Indians then they should keep a safe distance from the MNS. The MNS is a small party and is yet to gain a foothold across Maharashtra.

The chairman of the Uttar Pradesh state campaign committee Rampati Ram Tripathi criticized the BJP’s decision to approach MNS ahead of the Lok Sabha election. Tripathi is learnt to have informed BJP leaders in Mumbai that the move align with MNS will prove costly for the party in northern states such as Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. According to the newspaper quote given by Tripathi, he said, “You might win two seats here in Mumbai. However, you might lose more seats in other states,” His fears stemmed from Raj Thackeray’s anti-north Indians stance potentially hurting the BJP in states such as Uttar Pradesh and Bihar where it’s trying to achieve a sizeable tally in order to breach the 200-seat mark. Thus a sizeable portion of north Indians might not vote for the saffron party.

‘Our party will win Lok Sabha election by a big margin’

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Afternoon Voice

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March 12, 2014

BJP MLA Gopal Shetty is all set to contest the Lok Sabha election from North Mumbai Constituency. Shetty began his political career as a corporator in the year 1992. He is confident of defeating the Congress party. Gopal Shetty spoke about the developmental work undertaken by him in his constituency and the Modi factor in Lok Sabha polls with our correspondent Prakash Jha.

Once North Mumbai constituency was considered as BJP’s bastion but Congress has gained a foothold over hit from last 10 years. So do you think that the BJP will be able to regain its fortress in this general election?

It is true that our party has been performing well since last 10 years but we can’t say that north Mumbai has become Congress party’s bastion. The BJP and Shiv Sena still have a strong foothold in this constituency as we have three assembly leaders and more than 20 corporators. Last time we were defeated by a margin of 5,000 votes. Prior to that Congress had won from this constituency by fielding Govinda who is a popular Bollywood actor. However we are confident that our party will win the election by a bigger margin.

You have held the post of a corporator, BJP Mumbai Unit president, MLA and now you are contesting the Lok Sabha election. Are you confident of faring better in this election?

Definitely, I will emerge victorious in this election as people are coming forward to support me. I have worked for the welfare of people in my constituency and have gained their confidence. Moreover, people are already fed up of Congress hence they will vote for me.

Will the Modi factor play any role in your victory in the Lok Sabha election?

I will secure more votes on account of the Modi factor.

Do you think that your vote margin will decline due to the emergence of Aam Aadmi Party?

AAP might have put up an impressive show in Delhi but the situation is very different in Mumbai. The party can’t split our votes especially in the north Mumbai constituency.

The party has issued ticket to you to contest the Lok Sabha election as there was no able candidate in your constituency?

It is true as when my name was discussed no candidate came forward to demand a ticket to contest election from my constituency. Everyone is aware that I am capable of winning the election. This only goes to show that the party has faith in me.

On which agenda will you be contesting the election this time?

There are several issues but corruption issue will remain on the forefront even though it is a national issue. As far as my constituency is concerned, I have planned to construct a multi-specialty hospital. People have to visit hospitals in the town for undergoing medical treatment due to lack of multi-speciality hospital in the suburbs.

What work have you done in your constituency?

We have installed the statue of national leaders, developed gardens conducting seminars on the anniversary of renowned leaders to make youth aware about it. I have installed the statues of Veer Savarkar, Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Rani Laxmi Bai, Swami Vivekanand. Our party is constructing a sports complex of international standards and it will be named after late Balasaheb Thackeray.

It won’t be easy for the Mahayuti alliance to sweep polls? What is your take about this?

Elections are always tough. We will give a tough fight to Congress and NCP and will emerge victorious.

Earlier the Shiv Sena and BJP have protested against the illegal MCA club in Kandivali. But now both the parties are silent about this issue. Has this issue been put on the backburner?

No. I am planning to file a petition about this issue in the court. The common man must be offered membership of the club at nominal rates. I will continue to fight until justice is done to the common man.

What message would you like to give to the voters of North Mumbai constituency?

People have already seen me working for the development of my constituency. I have successfully implemented the developmental work undertaken by me. I will continue to work for the welfare of the common man.

Divorce postponed
But work against BJP

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Afternoon Voice

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March 12, 2014

The Shiv Sena might be miffed with the BJP after Nitin Gadkari had met MNS chief Raj Thackeray to desist from contesting the Lok Sabha polls but Sena won’t be severing ties with NDA. Earlier Sena had threatened to call off its alliance with the BJP as it questioned the motive behind Gadkari and Raj Thackeray meeting as it would only divide the Marathi votes. On Tuesday, several BJP leaders lined up to meet Uddhav Thackeray in an attempt to pacify him after he threatened to withdraw from the alliance with BJP over Gadkari’s meet with Raj. These included Maharashtra BJP chief Devendra Fadnavis and Rajiv Pratap Rudy. Inspite of having an alliance with BJP, Shiv Sena party workers won’t assist the BJP candidates in the upcoming Lok Sabha election.

Highly reliable sources from Shiv Sena party said, “Although we have not quit the NDA, but we are really hurt that BJP has shaken hands with MNS without our consent. Our party worker will not campaign in those constituencies where BJP candidates are contesting election.”

Attacking the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray said the party must clarify its stand on its alliance with the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, led by Uddhav’s cousin and rival Raj Thackeray.

“BJP should clarify who is authorized in Maharashtra BJP to take decisions?” Uddhav asked in the aftermath of former BJP chief Nitin Gadkari’s recent meeting with the MNS leader.

Uddhav Thackeray said, “In the past whatever important decision has been taken through a consensus between both the parties. We had good equation with Gopinath Munde and other leaders from the BJP. A question arises who is the authorized person to speak on behalf of the BJP?.

Senior party leaders, including Rajnath Singh and its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi spoke to Thackeray and attempted to reassure him on its alliance with Shiv Sena.

Devendra Fadnavis, BJP state President said, “I cleared the version of BJP to Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray. Shiv Sena is in alliance with us from last two decades and the party supported us every time and even now they are with us. Shiv Sena is our natural friend and they will keep supporting us.”
MNS Chief Raj Thackeray has played his card well after BJP Leader Nitin Gadkari wooed him to support Modi after which he didn’t declare his candidate against BJP candidate. On the other hand, he declared an open war against Shiv Sena by fielding candidates from those constituency where Shiv Sena candidates will contest election.

Arvind Kejriwal to commute by auto, train

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Afternoon Voice

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March 11, 2014

Living up to his common man image, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal will kickstart his Lok Sabha campaign on Wednesday by using public transport to reach out to voters, the party said on Tuesday.

After landing at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Kejriwal will catch an auto-rickshaw to go to Andheri station.

There, the former Delhi chief minister will take a suburban train to Churchgate and interact with commuters on board during the 40-minute ride.

Around noon, he will be at Churchgate for a formal welcome by Mumbai South Lok Sabha candidate Meera Sanyal and other party workers. He will be closeted with them for about half hour.

After a media conference, Kejriwal will take part in a two-hour road show, from the historic August Kranti Maidan to Khilafat House, an equally historic venue.

These areas fall in Mumbai South constituency from where the Sanyal, a former corporate chief, is contesting as an Aam Aadmi Party candidate.

Later, Kejriwal will proceed via the Eastern Freeway to take part in another road show in the eastern suburbs in the Mumbai North-East constituency where social activist Medha Patkar is the AAP candidate.

IT searches Hiranandani group in Mumbai, other places

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Afternoon Voice

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March 11, 2014

The Income Tax department conducted searches at 20 locations of real estate major Hiranandani group in Mumbai and other cities in connection with alleged tax evasion.

“We have conducted simultaneous searches at many locations of the group in Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad,” an Income Tax source said.

Searches were also conducted at the residential premises of top company officials, the source said.

The source said some documents of accounts and transactions have been seized in the operation that was underway several hours after it started.

When contacted, a spokesperson of the Mumbai-based Hiranandani Group refused to comment on the matter.
Sources said some alleged mismatch on Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) receipts related to payments made were also being verified during the operations.

Hiranandani group is a major real estate player in Mumbai with its flagship post project located in Powai.
Recently, the group’s co-founder Niranjan Hiranandani had filed a suit against his daughter Priya seeking to restrain the usage of name ‘Hiranandani’ in her business.

Some years back, the CBI had also raided the offices and other premises of Hiranandani Builders for alleged provident fund evasion of to the tune of Rs. 168 crore.

HC seeks report on action against teachers who failed to take

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Afternoon Voice

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March 11, 2014

The Bombay High Court sought to know what action has been initiated against the 89 teachers who have failed to take up their posting in primary schools in tribal areas of neighbouring Thane district.

A division bench of Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice M S Sanklecha directed the Thane Zilla Parishad to submit a report by March 25 on what action has been taken against those teachers who have failed to take up their new posts.

The High Court was hearing a public interest litigation filed by social activist Nitin Borade highlighting the issue of non-availability of teachers in primary schools in tribal areas.

The Maharashtra government had in May last year issued orders to 244 teachers transferring them to primary schools in seven tribal areas in Thane. However, the teachers refused to take up the posting and went on strike.

The High Court had last time directed the government to ensure that its transfer order is implemented and the teachers take up their jobs.

The court was today informed that out of 244 teachers, only 155 have taken up their posts in primary schools.

The court had, during the last hearing in January this year, also directed the state government to issue advertisements for 1,000 teachers and headmasters by February 15 and initiate and complete recruitment process by June 30.

The court today asked the government to submit a report on March 25 asking if the advertisements have been issued and the process has begun.

The PIL contends that it is the duty of the state to ensure that every child is given primary education, which is a fundamental right.

Flyer arrested for attempting to smuggle in gold

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Afternoon Voice

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March 11, 2014

Gold worth a cumulative Rs. 1.72 crore was seized from four different Indian passengers at the Mumbai International Airport with one of them having been placed under arrest, a senior Customs official said.

According to the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of Customs, Abdul Hammeed Mahshook Bedira, who arrived from Dubai on an Emirates flight was intercepted and found to be carrying a total of 5.13kg gold, valued at Rs. 1.38 crore.

The yellow metal was cut into 134 pieces and concealed inside a synthesiser and solar lanterns, the official said, adding that the accused was subsequently arrested.

In the second case, passenger Samsher Moidin, who arrived from Riyadh on a Jet Airways flight, was intercepted and five gold bars valued at Rs. 12.34 lakh found hidden in his wallet, which he was carrying inside his jeans pants.

A third passenger, identified as Shereefu Kunhi, who arrived from Abu Dhabi on a Jet Airways flight, was found to have concealed 350gm gold, valued at Rs. 9.39 lakh, in a trolley bag.

The fourth case involves one Ashraf Hameed, who arrived from Saudi Arabia on a Saudia flight. Gold worth Rs. 12.45 lakh was seized from him.

As per norms, air passengers who try to smuggle in gold worth Rs. 20 lakh or above, are usually arrested.

However, the last three passengers were detained for a while following seizure of the gold found in their possession. They were later allowed to go after a warning, the official said.

The trio would be called in for questioning as and when required, the official added.

House catches fire; man chokes to death

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Afternoon Voice

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March 11, 2014

A 42 year-old man died of asphyxiation in the wee hours after fire broke out in his sixth floor flat in a residential building here, fire officials said.

The incident took place around 1.30 AM when the fire station here got a call informing about the blaze in the building near Nitin company, said Fire Officer G S Patil of Wagle Estate Fire Station.

When firemen reached the spot and broke into the house, they found victim Sandesh Raje Bhosale lying on the drawing room floor in an unconscious condition.

He was immediately rushed to Kaushalya Medical Hospital in the vicinity, where he died while undergoing treatment.

His body was later sent to the Civil Hospital for postmortem, police said. The cause of the fire is not known yet. Wagle Estate police have registered a case of accidental death.

At the time of the incident, the man was alone in the house, they added.

Sena MLA gets anticipatory bail in indecent behaviour case

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Afternoon Voice

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March 11, 2014

A sessions court granted anticipatory bail to a Shiv Sena legislator for allegedly behaving indecently with a woman corporator of the same party.

“Court granted pre-arrest bail to MLA Vinod Ghosalkar on the bond of Rs. 15,000,” public prosecutor Nileema Kasture said.

Ghosalkar, who had moved a pre-arrest bail application on February 13, had told the court through his counsel that he has been booked only under bailable offences and he is co-operating with the police for investigation and sought anticipatory bail.

On February 5, Dahisar police in suburban Mumbai had registered a case against Ghosalkar under section 501 (printing or engraving matter known to be defamatory), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 509 (outraging the modesty of a woman).

According to the woman corporator, Ghosalkar was threatening her after she complained against a builder, who had dumped debris in mangroves.

Later, she started getting obscene calls from unknown number as, according to her, her phone number was scribbled on the walls of a roadside public toilet.

After this incident, she had approached the Dahisar police.

HC asks Maha to have permanent mechanism to monitor wetlands

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Afternoon Voice

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March 11, 2014

The Bombay High Court suggested that the Maharashtra Government should constitute a permanent mechanism to monitor wetlands in the state so that encroachments do not take place in such areas.

The suggestion was made by a bench headed by Justice V M Kanade on a PIL filed by Vanashakti, an NGO, which alleged destruction of wetlands in suburban Malwani, Dahisar, Vasai, Esselworld, Oshiwara, Kanakia Nagar in Mira Road, Kasheli in Thane and Palm Beach Road area in Navi Mumbai.

“It is a shocking state of affairs to note that no action is being taken against those who are reclaiming land in wetland areas,” said the bench.

Government pleader G W Mattos said that the state had issued a circular warning that construction or reclamation in the areas of wetlands was strictly prohibited and warned that action would be taken against the guilty.

However, counsel for Vanashakti, Gayatri Singh, said the circular was not enough to check encroachments in wetland areas. She said there should be a permanent mechanism to monitor such areas in which wetlands fall, to which the court agreed and suggested the state to consider this aspect.

The government had told the court earlier that an authority for monitoring wetlands in the state would be constituted soon.

However, Singh argued that the state had not come out with a time-bound programme as to when such an authority would be formed.

The government pleader said Mumbai suburban areas such as Navghar, Vasai and those near Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway, where wetlands were located, had been surveyed. Six other sites, where wetlands were found, are yet to be surveyed.