MSRTC suffered losses and its workers lost lives

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January 11, 2022

msrtc, msrtc bus, st workers, strike, bus strike, anil parab, parab, st workers strike, st employees — MSRTC suffered losses and its workers lost lives 2

While the MSRTC suffered losses over the past few years, it had never faced any issue in paying the salaries of staffers on time. But after the Covid-19 induced lockdown, salaries were delayed for months, and these allegedly triggered suicides of a few staffers due to debts and financial strain.

The state government has so far provided financial assistance of Rs 3,549 crore to MSRTC in different instalments in the past one and half years to pay salaries. Despite this capital inflow, the corporation is facing a loss of nearly Rs 9,000 crore and had difficulty in paying salaries after the pandemic struck.

Post-pandemic, nearly 40 of its staffers are reported to have committed suicide due to financial woes. The workers say that they feel “betrayed” as the main demand of merging the corporation with the state government was not put forward by the unions and not accepted by the minister but still some unknown unions called off the strike.

There was antipathy among the staffers and a belief that since the major unions in the joint action committee, which withdrew the strike, were associated with the political parties like Shiv Sena, Congress and Nationalist Congress Party hence, their demand for the merger was not put forward and the strike was allegedly called off after some kind of ‘deal’, though the government is not openly commenting on the merger demand, stating that the matter is in the court. Some ministers believe that the government has indicated that the merger is not possible as it may set a model for all the loss-making corporations, and it would also put a lot of financial burden on the government.

Earlier, during the BJP-Shiv Sena government, the demand for the merger was raised, but the then state Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar was seen saying that the merger is not possible as there is no such provision in the “law”. However, during the present strike, several BJP leaders including former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Pravin Darekar and other MLCs like Sadabhau Khot and Gopichand Padalkar have openly supported the strike. Padalkar and Khot actively participated in the strike to press for the workers’ demands but withdrew later after a meeting with state Transport Minister Anil Parab when the pay hike was announced. MSRTC workers believe that there was some mutual settlement between these leaders.

In 1950, a Road Transport Corporation Act was passed by the Union government, which delegated powers to states to form their road transport corporations with the Centre contributing one-third of the capital. Thus, the Bombay State Road Transport Corporation (BSRTC) was formed and later changed its name to MSRTC with the reorganization of the state.

From its initial fleet of 30 Bedford buses having wooden bodies and coir seats, the MSRTC fleet has now expanded to 16,000 buses and 96,000 employees and runs inter-city and inter-state buses. While the transport corporation has been successful in providing low-cost travel options to lakhs of people in the state, it has not been able to remain profitable.

According to the records, the MSRTC was running in profit till the financial year 2011-12, however, it started accumulating losses from the financial year 2012-13, which went up to Rs 1,299 crore in 2014-15 and by 2019-2020 it ballooned to Rs 5,319 crore. According to official statistics, during the pre-Covid period (till March 2020) the corporation was earning around Rs 600 crore per month from ticket sales. Employee salaries, fuel and other related expenses would amount to around Rs 700-750 crore but there had been no issues in releasing salaries of the staffers. Till March 2020, the corporation was getting revenue of around Rs 20 to 22 crore per day. From the end of March 2020, due to the lockdown transport service was completely shut and as a result, daily income was lost. In these eight months, the corporation lost Rs 5,280 crore in revenue, however, the expense in terms of salaries was there and it was paying around Rs 220-290 crore in salaries.

In the eight months, Rs 2,200 crore of expense was incurred for the payment of salaries. The bus services slowly resumed in December 2020. While they were trying to return to normal at the end of February 2021, the services were shut owing to the second wave of Covid-19. The services restarted after the second wave, but due to poor response from passengers, daily income went down to Rs 10 crore daily from Rs 22 crore earlier. The corporation claims that due to all these reasons, the accumulated loss at the end of the financial year 2021-22 was expected to be around Rs 12,000 crore.

More than 90000 employees of Maharashtra State Transport Corporation, one of the largest inter-city bus systems in the country, have been on strike for more than two months, affecting thousands of travellers. The iconic red and yellow buses of the MSRTC were the queens of the state’s roads (locally known as ‘Lal Pari’), assuring low-budget travellers a safe trip from cities to far-flung interiors of the state. The intervention of Sharad Pawar and Anil Parab took a new turn; the agitating workers said they were again bullied by falling promises. Some union leaders who had met Pawar appealed for calling off the strike. It’s high time that the government and unions should come to terms and resolve this issue.

“I may end up like Datta Samant”: Gunaratna Sadavarte; accuses NCP chief Pawar of chasing him to death

By

Afternoon Voice

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January 11, 2022

gunaratna sadavarte, sharad pawar, pawar, sadavarte, sharad, datta samant, samant, st workers, st workers employee, workers — "I may end up like Datta Samant": Gunaratna Sadavarte; accuses NCP chief Pawar of chasing him to death 4

Recently an important meeting was held at Sahyadri Guest House regarding the settlement of the ST workers’ strike. During the meeting, representatives of ST workers held discussions with NCP President Sharad Pawar and Transport Minister Anil Parab. A press conference was held after a long discussion.

Representatives of the ST workers’ union have appealed to the ST workers to join the duties immediately, assuring the needful from the government. At the same time, the representatives of ST Employees Union embattled Adv. Gunaratna Sadavarte and told the media that they are planning to disown him. Meanwhile, ST Kamgar Kriti Sangh announced that they are withdrawing Gunaratna Sadavarte as their lawyer.

By questioning Anil Parab, the transport minister, Gunaratna Sadavarte said, “Anil Parab was supposed to hold talks with Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray to find a solution to the ST strike in the state. So why did he go to Sharad Pawar? Is NCP President Sharad Pawar the caretaker Chief Minister of the state?”

He further stated that “the Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Anil Parab and Sharad Pawar will be accountable for the deaths of ST employees. The meeting of ST union office bearers with Sharad Pawar and Anil Parab was awkward. Non-employee unions were called for the meeting. The workers, on the other hand, have called for a strike. So, this meeting was a staged drama and ST workers are not going to fall for this trap.”

BJP MLA Ram Kadam told Afternoon Voice, “Regarding Datta Samant and Bukhari, these are extremely dangerous allegations made by Advocate Sadavarte, So Pawar and government should reply back. Moreover, when the advocate is saying he has a threat to his life, why is the government not providing him security? In what capacity Sharad Pawar is holding press conferences and intervening in ST workers issues? CM has given him any charge? people should know in what capacity he is conducting meetings with the ministers and officers. In our constitution, it is a violation of rules and regulations. Maha Vikas Aghadi leaders are just doing time-pass; they are not at all intending to do anything for ST workers. If they really wanted to do something, they would have done it in the past.”

When asked, why is the opposition mute on this issue? Ram Kadam said “We are not silent. We are aggressive on this issue. Our two leaders and several party workers were there in Azad maidan and we are raising our voices, but the government is silent as they don’t want to do anything. This is the fact.”

Dhananjay Shinde leader of Aam Aadmi Party said, “There are two aspects of this ST workers movement. One is to submerge the State Transport Commission as an undertaking of the State transport Ministry; this is physically insurmountable for the Maharashtra government as per legislature. Leader Sadabhau Khot exited the agitating campaign and Adv Sadavarte stepped in. But the way Sadavarte speaks about the secretarial and ministry is objectionable. His foul mouth on Sharad Pawar and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar is unacceptable. Good that senior Pawar has stepped in he shall handle this rural manpower with care and confidence.”

Priyanka slams UP CM’s ’80 vs 20 pc’ remark, urges youth to make polls about their issues

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PTI

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January 11, 2022

priyanka gandhi, priyanka gandhi vadra, gst, covid-19, exemption from gst, congress priyanka, congress — Priyanka slams UP CM's '80 vs 20 pc' remark, urges youth to make polls about their issues 6

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday hit out at Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath over his remarks that the assembly polls in the state will be about ’80 per cent vs 20 per cent’, and urged the youth to make the elections about issues such as employment and education.

The Congress general secretary said remarks such as “80-20” were aimed at diverting attention from real issues of the youth.

At an event on Saturday, Adityanath had said it will be an “80 per cent versus 20 per cent” election in Uttar Pradesh and the BJP will retain power in the state.

Several Opposition leaders have attacked the chief minister over his comments, alleging that it was an attempt at polarisation by the “80-20” reference which they said was aimed at pointing to the ratio of Hindus to Muslims in Uttar Pradesh.

Making remarks like ’80-20′ is a way to fraudulently divert attention from the issues of the youth, Priyanka Gandhi said.

The reality is that under the BJP government, out of every 100 people, 68 have no work, she said.

“My young friends, with your power, make the UP polls, an election of issues such as employment and education,” Priyanka Gandhi said in a tweet in Hindi. Voting for the high-stakes assembly elections will be held in seven phases, starting from the western part of the politically crucial state on February 10 and moving eastwards, with the final phase on March 7. Counting of votes would take place on March 10.

Airstrike in Ethiopia’s Tigray kills at least 17, injuring dozens

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Afternoon Voice

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January 11, 2022

ethiopia, airstrike, us, us army, rebel forces, tigrayan forces — Image: AFP

An airstrike in Ethiopia’s northern region of Tigray on Monday killed at least 17 people, mostly women, and wounded dozens in the town of Mai Tsebri, two aid workers told Reuters, citing local authorities and eyewitnesses.

This followed an airstrike that killed 56 people and injured 30, including children, in a camp for displaced people in Tigray on Friday. US President Joe Biden raised concerns with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Monday about civilian casualties and suffering caused by airstrikes. Ethiopian military spokesperson Colonel Getnet Adane and government spokesperson Legesse Tulu did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the Mai Tsebri strike.

The government has previously denied targeting civilians in the 14-month conflict, which pits Abiy’s federal forces and their regional allies, backed by Eritrea, against rebellious forces of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). Abiy’s appointment as prime minister in 2018 ended 27 years of TPLF dominance over Ethiopia’s central government. But the party stayed in power in its home region of Tigray, where fighting erupted in November 2020.

Each side blames the other. The TPLF accuses Abiy of centralising power at the expense of the regions, which he denies, while Abiy accuses the TPLF of seeking to return to power at the national level, which it rejects.

Sir Sir Sarla… A timeless act by Makarand Deshpande

By

Vaidehi Taman

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January 10, 2022

Sir Sir Sarla, Theatre, Play, Makrand Deshpande, Makarand Deshpande, Makarand, Prithvi Theatre, Theater Artist, Ninad Limaye, Ahana Kumra — Sir Sir Sarla… A timeless act by Makarand Deshpande 9

That standing ovation, those loud claps, and happy faces in the theatre by audiences, waiting for the artists to come out after the play, spoke volumes. I was also standing right there, just to convey how happy I was to see this timeless drama, but left abruptly and quietly because that happiness in me needed isolation to reason myself. I was in a different zone.

It was all about Professor Palekar (Makrand Deshpande) who has written and directed the drama and played the role of the Professor. While Sarla (Aahana Kumra) is passionately in love with the professor and she crazily reminds him about her inclination, there is another student called Phanidhar (Ninad Limaye) who is the second-best who shares a love-hate relationship with the Professor and is madly in love with Sarla. The lives of the three are consequently mingled. Throughout the play, we see each of the characters deal with their individual conflict, subduing it and then letting it out sometimes calmly, and sometimes intensely.

Even though the Professor let down internal conflict himself, he is always a role model of wisdom for his two favourite students. However, if the play were just that, it would be quite simple and straightforward. The interest lies in Phanidhar questioning his teacher, again and again, even accusing him of ruining all their lives by manipulations, and as a teacher, he gives monotonous explanations. The play would have been long-winded had it not been for Phanidhar, who is very endearing with his utter lack of grace and simple character. Phanidhar stole the entire show; he takes out emotions on a roller-coaster ride, inquisitive, hilarious, and bringing one down quite suddenly from idealistic theories to a reality where jealousies and self-interests lie.

The situation becomes interesting midway when Sarla’s insecure husband, Keshav, enters. Keshav (Mr Mane) is a businessman with little understanding of Sarla’s romantic view of life, even though he tries. Keshav brings a new layer of depth and wholesomeness to the play with his unpretentious simplicity and honest demeanour. As he rendered his performance with honesty to his character’s personality, was actually the showstopper of the play. His entry in the play tickles your ribs and at the same time calms your brains. As the story unfolds, unkind allegations are made; life-altering decisions are anticipated and then re-considered. With all its ‘grand’ ideals, the play also provides prurient satisfaction as the plot is about the love of a young girl for her elderly teacher and mentor.

Initially, the play was slow, maybe it was to create the premise but as the storyline progressed, every character got the audience involved in their personalities and performance. The guys were constantly in character and had distinct personalities. Every character is relatable and each one connects to them in some form of life experience.

The professor subtly conveys how life does not give as much grief as your perspective and how a simple shift in that line of thought changes the direction of your life. Knowing or unknowingly he nudges them towards the right path which comes to be questioned down the line. In spite of their inner turbulence and conflict, he is constantly aware of their nature and patiently nudges their entwined lives and leads them from confusion to clarity and then purpose.

Sarla is inspired by the intellect and her love for poetry is the reason for her to fall in love with her mentor. Ahana Kumra as Sarla flitted through various timelines easily with her performance of bubbly youthful candour to a married young lady. At some point, she was a little over the top and can level it out further.

Makarand Deshpande as an actor, director and writer knows his craft and generously gives space for all the artists to perform. He leaves that open canvas for them to improvise, there were many such prompt cute moments in the play. Makarand is a mentor all the way and as he evolved as an artist and mentoring people is second nature. Perhaps this performance of his was a perfect example of how sometimes you begin to play this role but eventually somewhere actually becomes the role.

It’s intriguing to see how much our thoughts encompass us and how the right mentoring shifts your perceptions. Love is perceived with a formula where you tick all the boxes, but the fundamental confusion lies between what you want and what you get and further what you can accept. So locked we are in our world and perceptions, that invisible or variant expressions don’t seem to register on the horse-blinkered psyche. Compelling people to express and finding that middle ground in the equations seems to be the ultimate need of life and ultimately determines success. Love does come with its complexities and inner conflicts.

Love is a universal language, and as the characters sift through their complex layers of expression, you can relate to each one of them in some way or the other. What I found fascinating about this play is how immensely relatable it was. You can connect to every character at some point or the other as somewhere we have either been one of them or frankly speaking, perhaps at different points of life even been all of them.

The play is brilliantly written and the dialogues are well-timed, it was wonderful to see them play with both minutes of silence with words. I would consider this play as a timeless creation that can be viewed in any language, performed by any artist, and still will always be applauded as a great example of theatrical art. Music, sound, lights, makeup, costumes, stage, everything was in order.

Must watch play.

BJP’s old guard Vinod Tawde’s influence can’t be clipped

By

Vaidehi Taman

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January 10, 2022

vinod tawde, tawde, vinod, bjp, devendra fadnavis, fadnavis, bharatiya janata party, bjp maharashtra, chandigarh, maharashtra bjp — BJP's old guard Vinod Tawde's influence can't be clipped 11

Recently Vinod Tawde was instrumental in winning municipal elections in Chandigarh. In the abnormal epoch of Punjab politics against BJP, Tawde made it possible. He is one of the old guards of BJP. Throughout his political career, he was persistent with his temperament and approach towards the party and party men. He is one of those leaders who can’t be clipped for long or ignored. Tawde may also play a crucial role in the Punjab Legislative Assembly election, 2022. A Marathi manoos not only caught the nerves of Punjabi people but he could instil faith in them.

Tawde, a simple and subtle man, born in Mumbai’s Girgaon, was a member of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) since his student days and active karyakarta of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. He was groomed by grassroots leaders. Throughout his four-decade-long political career, Tawde has worked in various positions for BJP, making cadre-building and organization his strength. Within the ABVP, Tawde rose from karyakarta (worker) to the organizing secretary of the Mumbai Central Zone, and eventually the All-India General Secretary of the outfit.

In 1995, Tawde took charge as general secretary of the Maharashtra BJP, and in 1999, became the president of the Mumbai BJP. He was the leader of the opposition in Maharashtra’s Legislative Council from 2011 to 2014 and then became an MLA from Mumbai’s Borivali constituency.

Tawde was a cabinet minister in the Fadnavis-led cabinet, in charge of school, higher and technical education and medical education, as well as cultural affairs. In spite of combating various allegations, he maintained his calm and rendered needed explanations.

In 2016, Tawde was also beleaguered by the opposition for being allegedly associated with a for-profit company despite being a minister.

No doubt then the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis defended Tawde out and out when allegations were hurled at him. But in 2016, Devendra trimmed Tawde’s power by replacing the medical education portfolio with Girish Mahajan, a leader said to be close to him. From that time Vinod Tawde maintained peace and quietly remained isolated. He was dropped from the 2019 assembly polls. When all old guards of BJP were side-lined, BJP as a Party could not stand its ground and lost to power against the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance. This was the time even BJP’s war-lords realized their mistakes of ignoring core leaders, who are the basics of the state party. Perhaps by rectifying their mistakes Tawde was made the BJP’s national general secretary. After a long pause, Tawde was suitably rewarded.

No one can deny the fact that he was disheartened but still maintained calm. He is a seasoned politician and hard-core worker; the beauty is that he never puts the party of its leaders in any sort of embrace. His appointment as national general secretary only means that the party needs this in the national scheme of things ahead of elections in major states. He was sent to Punjab and I am sure he proved to be the best at his craft.

After the Late Pramod Mahajan a former Union minister and Gopinath Mundhe also a former Union minister this was the first time that Maharashtra has got a general secretary’s post to its state minister. Mahajan and Munde were appointed BJP national general secretary in 1993 and 1999 respectively. Elevating Vinod Tawde to the post of national general secretary, and nominating Chandrashekhar Bawankule as its candidate for the legislative council, BJP did great damage control because many BJP leaders those days felt ignored and hurt.

Tawde and Bawankule appointments can help the BJP to get caste equations right, with Tawde being from the Maratha community and Bawankule being from the Teli community among the Other Backward Classes (OBC). This was also an indication to Fadnavis that the party wants to keep his power in check.

Moreover, it being unlikely that the Shiv Sena and BJP will align again, it is clear that the party has to travel the distance from 105 to 145 MLAs on its own, and needs the organizational strength of old as well as new faces in the party.

Vinod Tawde was the first leader to demand a separate budget for agriculture and he consistently proposed measures that the government should implement to enhance agriculture productivity and prevent farmer suicides. From mill workers to farmers, he stood strong for their demands and that is the reason he has mass appeal when it comes to rural and urban Maharashtra. He also demanded an SIT probe into wakf land allotments.

He used various legislative devices to compel the government to establish an enquiry committee under the chairmanship of Madhavrao Chitale for the investigation of corruption in the irrigation sector. Vinod Tawde condemned the government’s decision to start a textile park in Baramati; in his opinion, the government should have selected a cotton-producing district to set up the facility. He also opposed the textile policy announced by the government as it was non-beneficial for farmers.

He is one of those working politicians who gave access to the common public by solving their water, gutter, and meter problems. He sponsored many toilets, open gardens, religious places, and community welfare programs from his MLA funds. In his constituency, you will find something or the other thing contributed by him towards the wellbeing of people. BJP is one big national party in the ocean like Indian politics and leaders like Tawde are the anchors, it’s better late than never party holds its guards equally strong.

Any suggestions, comments or disputes with regards to this article send us at feedback@www.afternoonvoice.com

Vinod Tawde: BJP leader who charmed Chandigarh MC elections

By

Afternoon Voice

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January 10, 2022

vinod tawde, tawde, chandigarh, chandigarh election, bjp, bjp win, mayor, congress, aap, aam aadmi party, bjp chandigarh, punjab, vinod tawde bjp, election, municipal elections, chandigarh municipal elections — Vinod Tawde: BJP leader who charmed Chandigarh MC elections 13

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation elections by defeating local traditional political parties. When asked national general secretary Vinod Tawde, who was also in charge of Chandigarh Municipal Corporation elections, the motivation behind this success, he said, “Due to corruption and policy failure Punjab government has failed on various fronts. People were fed up and they voted for BJP for the development and welfare of the people.”

“There might be some perceptions created but in reality, Punjab loves BJP and Modi. Local dedicated BJP workers of Chandigarh functioned efficiently. I am always committed to the party and people,” Tawde further stated.

When asked about the challenges in the present scenario in Punjab, Tawde said, “There were no major challenges, AAP got 14 seats, BJP got 12 seats and Congress got 8 seats, Akalis got 1 seat and the Congress and the SAD abstained from the election. This is how we got maximum numbers to elect our Mayor.”

Whereas local Congress workers said, “AAP played well. They contested for the first time and became SLP. BJP has a government in the centre so it can easily attract councillors. Look at the results, no political party got a clear majority. Congress and Akalis did not support AAP but one of the Congress seats supported BJP.”

Bharatiya Janata Party’s Sarabjit Kaur Dhillon was elected the new Chandigarh mayor after she defeated Aam Aadmi Party’s Anju Katyal by one vote. Seven councillors of the Congress and the lone member of the Shiromani Akali Dal in the 35-member House abstained from voting in the Chandigarh municipal corporation (MC) mayoral election. Sarabjit Kaur got 14 votes, while Katyal got 13 votes and one vote was declared invalid. Both the BJP and the AAP had 14 votes each in the House.

Sarabjit Kaur Dhillon, a councillor from ward number 6 is the wife of Jagtar Singh Dhillon, a former councillor and lives in Mani Majra. She has studied till BA second year. She entered politics after her husband’s ward was reserved for a woman candidate. BJP’s Dalip Sharma won the senior deputy mayor election, defeating AAP’s Prem Lata. Sharma got 15 votes and Lata 13 out of the 28 votes cast. BJP candidate Anup Gupta won the deputy mayor’s election. He was declared the winner by a draw of lots. Earlier, Gupta and Ram Chander Yadav of the AAP were tied with 14 votes each in the House with the strength of 28 members.

“BJP once again looted the deal. We were the single largest party with 14 councillors. Our elected members of the Municipal body were overpowered and got out from the electoral process venue. This was purely a horse-trading that BJP and Congress are always into. Their one vote was even torn by the electoral officer inside,” said Aman Arora an MLA from AAP.

Manoj Lubana, Chandigarh Territorial Youth Congress said, “Our calculation and planning was to keep AAP away from the power of Chandigarh municipal corporation. We cast our one vote in the favour of a national level party. Our intelligence had briefed up that AAP Mayor can be an anarchist. As one councillor’s vote was declared void, we understood the result and gave powerplay to be the kingmaker in Chandigarh. Our one vote got a lady to be the Mayor.”

“Their very own corporators were not happy with the Congress party. The people on the other hand were not satisfied with the state government and its policies, which led to the votes against Congress and in favour of BJP. The people of Chandigarh have shown Congress their place, and given a message that they choose BJP for governance and betterment of the state,” said Atul Moreshwar Save an MLA of BJP.

Amanjit Singh, a Chandigarh resident said, “The entry of the AAP, in a traditionally two-pronged battle, has particularly disturbed the Congress party’s election strategy. In many wards, Congress and SAD were competing for the same anti-BJP votes. Unlike BJP and AAP, which spent heavily on advertisements, the party was focusing more on individual contacts with voters and social media.”

BJP fought anti-incumbency by exhibiting more than 50 achievements and its key message was put across different media platforms and door-to-door campaigns. Known for its cadre strength, the party took every advantage. A three-cornered fight between Congress, BJP and AAP made its attempt at a win that much more complex and harder.

Is Narayan Rane aspiring to be CM again? Think Tanks predict it is only Devendra Fadnavis again

By

Vaidehi Taman

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January 9, 2022

chief minister of maharashtra, cm maharashtra, fadnavis, devendra fadnavis, narayan rane, rane, narayan, bjp, bharatiya janata party, bjp in maharashtra — Is Narayan Rane aspiring to be CM again? Think Tanks predict it is only Devendra Fadnavis again 15

There are some sections of Narayan Rane supporters on social media seeding the thought that Rane can be the next Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Narayan Rane and his veiled ambitions to become Chief Minister of Maharashtra is not a hidden secret anymore. Rane switched his loyalties to various political parties to try his fortune for the CM post. Rane was Chief Minister for a shorter period than Uddhav Thackeray, for only six months.

Soon after Rane joined BJP, he made a statement that Maharashtra would have a new, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government by March next year, adding that things should be kept ‘secret’ to trigger the collapse of an incumbent government. There were nonstop attacks made by Rane on Chief Minister Uddhav Thackrey and Shiv Sena. Whereas Devendra Fadnavis always presented his dignified side, with indispensable mannerism in his speeches, media statements and conduct.

Madhav Bhandari, spokesperson of BJP, Maharashtra State unit said, “Right now our entire focus is on Assembly Elections In 5 States. Maharashtra has two and half years to make any such guesses or assumptions. We are a cadre-based political party, let the elections take place our Party will decide about the rest.”

Narayan Rane said, “These are all the news made by the media, I never made any statement that I want to be Chief Minister of Maharashtra again. I was already a chief minister and now a union minister. I will work hard to bring the BJP government in the state but that does not mean I am putting my candidature for the CM post.”

BJP supporter on social media Nayan Chandra said, “These are just rumours and a thought that is propagated by the social media supporters of Rane, I strongly believe that there is no other leader in BJP who can replace Devendra Fadnavis. Rane has already joined the central ministry and he should stick there.”

Shaina NC, the State Spokesperson of BJP said, “Let us not get hypothetical. Devendra Fadnavis is an outstanding persona for the Chief Ministerial position. He has experience running the Government for 5 years in Maharashtra. He has been the opposition leader of the Vidhan Sabha and has a lengthy diplomatic career as a member of the Legislative Assembly. He has consequently been elected by the people and in the Bharatiya Janata Party, Devendra Fadnavis is known as a very intelligent and upgraded Personality. As an option to him, the CM’s Chair candidature is decided by the Party leadership and the Core Committee and not by cadres.”

Prakash Joshi, Senior Political Analyst said, “No, I don’t think so. It does not work like that in the Sangh Parivar. BJP has different Criteria for the Chief Ministerial position, they do not like this difference. In politics, anything can happen as he has been the CM in the past during ‘Yuti Government’ still I think this Party will go for someone else or may get somebody else in option.”

Aatish Patil, a political banners maker said, “There is no doubt that people love to see only Devendra Fadnavis as Chief Minister of Maharashtra. I don’t think people will ever favour leaders like Narayan Rane over Devendra Saheb. I have been making political banners for the past ten years, never witnessing so much craze for any politician other than Devendra. He was betrayed but never mind he will come again.”

Rajendra Shebadkar, an academician and political analyst said, “In the race for the post of Chief Minister Narayan Rane, this gossip is circulated by NCP. I do not think that Pawar’s policy will create such a rift between Maratha and Brahmins. This government of Mahavikas Aghadi has failed miserably. That’s why they come up with this kind of chewing news rumours, the general public should ignore it completely. The Maha Vikas Aghadi is united for power. The day before the Lok Sabha / Vidhan Sabha elections, their bubble will burst or they will fight separately.”

Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi said, “We do not think so. If Congress, NCP, and Shiv Sena Alliance continue then BJP cannot come to the throne. As far as the State Powered Chair is concerned my opinion is that Fadnavis is apt for the post, but in politics, anything can happen anytime and even if BJP Shiv Sena come together the Shiv Sena will never accept Narayan Rane as the CM.”

Mahesh Upadeo, Senior Journalist (Nagpur) said, “Devendra Fadnavis has been the Karyakarta of Rashtriya SwayamSevak Sangh. He is popular at the Party and quite famous in India at large. He is known as an intellectual MLA. Narayan Rane is brought in only to perturb the ShivSena and dethrone them in the BMC. Devendra Fadnavis is currently the opposition leader of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly so he is the best name for them. Only if Brahman and non-Brahmin politics jump up then an option can be thought of. Anyhow Sudhir Mungantiar who was the State President is desperate and ready to be the Chief Minister of Maharashtra.”

Eknath Khadse, NCP leader said, “Devendra Fadnavis is the only priority of the BJP. They have no other option till he is in the State. I have seen the Workflow of BJP for over 40 years. I have witnessed Sangh Parivar’s style of working. In my personal opinion, they cannot think of any name besides Devendra Fadnavis in Maharashtra for the CM chair.”

A BJP veteran told Afternoon Voice, “certainly Narayan Rane is a fearless speaker, he has his pluses but is not fit for the post of Chief Minister of Maharashtra. No one can replace Devendra Fadnavis. Rane hails from the Konkan region, heavyweight influences the voters through his speech. During 2009 Congress – NCP, combined could get 133 seats against the requirement of 145. The combine formed the government with the help not smaller b parties and such alliance is always vulnerable. At an opportune moment, he was about to go in for a kill to bring down the government. Seeing Uddhav canvassing for his candidacy for CM, he discarded the idea. He is an astute politician.”

Brand maker social media agency told Afternoon Voice, “There are these traits and methods of soft hammering. Rane has already started his campaign sowing this thought in people’s minds. Nowadays people are seeing him as the strongest Maratha face in BJP, he is capable enough to take on Shiv Sena and Uddav. Rational speaker and very dominant in his behaviour. In two and half years, this thought will take concert shape and the narrative will be established. In this social media era, anything can be possible.”

The ruling MVA coalition in Maharashtra comprises the Shiv Sena, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Congress. Now-former allies, the BJP and Sena, which governed the western state together between 2014 and 2019, won re-election two years ago. However, differences over several issues, including who gets the chief minister’s chair, led to a split between the two, with the Uddhav Thackeray-led party joining hands with the NCP and the Congress.

While Thackeray heads the alliance as the chief minister, the BJP is still the single-largest as well as a principal opposition party in Maharashtra. Devendra Fadnavis, Thackeray’s predecessor, is the Leader of Opposition. The Aghadi allies have frequently accused the BJP of trying to bring down their government though they also assert that the ruling dispensation will complete its full five-year term.

Devendra Fadnavis – The most acceptable leader of Maharashtra

By

Vaidehi Taman

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January 9, 2022

devendra fadnavis, fadnavis, fadnavis cm, chief minister, bjp, maharashtra elections, maharashtra cm, maha, maharashtra, devendra, uddhav thackeray, thackeray — Devendra Fadnavis – The most acceptable leader of Maharashtra 17

Today I won’t be making any report card or getting in analysis, just writing the political scenario in Maharashtra. The name Devendra Fadnavis is known to me from a very young age, being a Nagpurkar for some decades (my maternal uncle resides in Nagpur) I am seeing his steady growth. And now as a journalist, my connection is even stronger. After Vilas Rao Deshmukh and R R Patil, he is one of the Chief Ministers who never hesitated to meet people. Even if you leave a miscall his office reverts back. Communication is the biggest strength of this leader of masses.

Devendra Fadnavis is a pragmatic, forward-looking and solution-oriented working politician. Perception may vary from person to person and politician to politician, but he is one of the leaders who is liked by grassroots. One has to be a neutral observer and go beyond what is apparent. Here I shall try to give my opinion about him. The people of Maharashtra have rejected all other political parties to form the government but the majority of people have preferred Devendra Fadnavis as CM.

The people of India highly regard him as the most youthful, accountable, and clean leader of Maharashtra. After the Narendra Modi wave that rocked the entire nation in 2014 including Maharashtra, there was a power shuffle in the State. With a clear majority in Assembly elections, BJP decided to form a government. BJP’s Party President Amit Shah quickly went through all probable candidates for the post of Chief Minister and declared the name of dynamic Devendra Fadnavis.

It was expected that Fadnavis will be declared as the Chief Minister in the State as political experts from the state had predicted the same. There was a strong reason for it. His honesty, clean image and also his tenure as Leader of Opposition in the State assembly was marvellous. After he was chosen as leader of opposition in 2010, Fadnavis proved himself through his speeches and work. With qualities like studious nature, vision and to take any question to a logical conclusion, he literally kept then the ruling Congress-NCP led government on its toes. Many times, he made them beached and put in defensive mode. He was the key person to create an anti-environment image of the Congress-NCP government.

After being chosen as Chief Minister Fadnavis did not waste his time and quickly swung into action as the state was facing many serious problems like drought, farmers suicides, labour issues, law and order, and most importantly the empty treasury of the State. Sensing the urgency to address those issues, he first took control over administration and on the other side made several teams of young and experienced senior ministers. Once his cabinet was settled, he started to take quick decisions related to the development of the state. He was holding most of the crucial portfolios and somewhat that has overburdened him.

A man who successfully faced so many political challenges with his government which has external support and not the complete majority. A man who can get electoral success for BJP across the State including in the strongholds of other parties. Lastly and most importantly, the most popular leader in Maharashtra in terms of approval rating is way ahead of all others. Despite having all merits, a few things strongly went against him.

Maharashtra was ruled mostly by the Marathas and Fadnavis is a Brahmin. This was actually a good chance for diversity but the egos of tall leaders became a hindrance. He also had hidden enemies within the party. He is a young and hardworking person against most politicians who are old. As far as corruption or governance is concerned, he has not been able to hold good control over bureaucrats & administration. The alliance Shiv Sena was another jolt. This is where he needed huge improvement. But the best thing is that he could remain non-controversial, non-corrupt which is always been his strength. There were many allegations made against him but he successfully sailed through them.

Another big trouble he created for himself is cutting other BJP state leaders to size and centralizing all decision-making to CMO instead of individual ministries. BJP has recruited local leaders from other parties, so corruption at local levels has not changed even a bit. Only the party taking the cut has changed. Here I don’t blame Devendra because managing all such outside infiltration was tricky.

Another big mistake of BJP that has cost Devendra is instead of contesting all the 288 seats, the BJP contested only 160 seats and gave away 120 seats to Shiv Sena expecting the alliance in order. Out of 160 seats contested, BJP got 105 elected, that is 2 out of 3. If BJP had contested all the seats, it might have scored 180 to 200 seats getting almost 2/3 majority. Devendra Fadnavis made some incorrect assumptions while contesting these elections. Some of his moves like picking up MPs from INC and NCP was damaging. More than 50% of such candidates lost their seats. At the same time, the BJP worker, who were neglected or sidelined due to these imported leaders started silently revolting. Looking statistically, BJP may not have considerably lost ground in terms of vote percentage to a large extent, but they lost to the power politics of opposition.

Looking at the current picture, BJP is still not in a bad position, as they seem to have maintained a moral high ground. Even though INC, NCP and Shiv Sena alliance formed bargained government, BJP seems to gain in long term. BJP got the opportunity to observe everything from the opposition benches and waiting their opportunity to form the government on their own for the next time. In such a scenario many senior BJP leaders need to tame their egos and mind their tongues; these loose cannons are causing damage to Devendra as a leader and BJP as a party. This is an appropriate time, that BJP needs to come up with a strong strategy and project Devendra as their prominent and permeant face in the state.

Any suggestions, comments or disputes with regards to this article send us at feedback@www.afternoonvoice.com

Election Commission bans physical political rallies, roadshows till Jan 15 in 5 poll-bound states

By

ANI

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January 8, 2022

election commission, election, eci, ec, uttar pradesh, manipur, goa, election, political rally — Election Commission bans physical political rallies, roadshows till Jan 15 in 5 poll-bound states 19

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday directed that no physical political rallies and roadshows will be allowed till January 15 for the Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Goa, Manipur and Uttarakhand in wake of the COVID-19 surge.

“No physical rally of political parties or probably candidates or any other group related to elections shall be allowed till January 15. The Election Commission will subsequently review the situation and issue further instructions accordingly,” Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sushil Chandra said while addressing a press conference.

“No roadshows, padayatras, cycle or bike rallies and processions shall be allowed till January 15. Situation to be reviewed and fresh instructions to be issued later,” the CEC said. “Our civil application should be used by voters to report any incident of violation of the Model Code of Conduct, distribution of money and freebies. Within 100 minutes of complaint, ECI officials will reach the place of the offence,” Chandra added.

Uttar Pradesh will go to the polls in seven phases from Feb 10 to March 7; Punjab, Uttarakhand and Goa to vote on February 14th and Manipur to vote on Feb 27 and March 3. Counting of votes for the five poll-bound states will take place on March 10.

A total of 18.34 crore electors including service voters will take part in the upcoming Assembly elections in Goa, Punjab, Manipur, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh. Goa, Punjab, Manipur, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh are slated to go for Assembly elections this year. 403 Assembly seats are slated to go to polls in Uttar Pradesh, 70 seats are up for grabs in Uttarakhand, 117 seats in Punjab, 40 seats in Goa and 60 seats in Manipur.

Out of these 5 poll-bound states, the BJP is in power in 4 states including Goa, Manipur, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh. Leaders from all the political parties are campaigning aggressively for months to register their win in the upcoming polls.