Tanya Dsouza was added to a Whatsapp group named “Malhar Quartet 2023” last summer, with a one-liner telling her to check the college website. She soon realised that she was at the helm of the city’s biggest college festival. “It was absolutely surreal,” she told mid-day, “but the very next moment I remember feeling stressed.” In the coming months, she’d shift to South Bombay into a hostel from her home in Vashi, Navi Mumbai. “I was coming to college at 8 am and leaving around 10.30 pm—I figured this set up would be better.” For some, college festivals are the part of college life they look forward to the most. Euphoric musical shows, exclusive panel discussions, novel workshops and cut-throat competition—they have it all. Seeping in with this excitement each year is also the ever-present pressure of higher stakes, with each organising team wanting to outdo last year’s event, and bending backwards to fulfil the expectations of the impending tide of visitors—a 20,000 strong wave. Being a part of college festivals like Malhar, Sophia’s Kaleidoscope and Jai Hind’s Talaash is a badge of honour—thousands sign up voluntarily. A member of Jai Hind’s Detour team gives us an insight into the current atmosphere. “There’s definitely a little bit of peer pressure and fear of missing out involved. You can’t afford to be in your own shell. It was an okay experience. Physically taxing and quite demanding,” they say, on condition of anonymity. (From left) Malhar 2023 Chairperson Tanya Dsouza, and the three vice-chairpersons Speaking to mid-day, a senior member of this year’s Malhar team who wished to remain anonymous, says, “I’m more worried about my work at Malhar than I am about my internship.” Another Malhar team member added, “I have seen multiple breakdowns happen in a year because of college festivals. Some struggle with the decision to resign, while some actually do.” Psychiatrist Zirak Marker points out that teenagers are struggling to find stability, with pressure from parents and institutes. “When kids feel that pressure from their schools and parents to excel, and are not allowed flexibility, burnout is inevitable,” he says. The impression among students is that, if you were a festival chairperson from one of the top colleges in Mumbai, you are guaranteed a placement by the recruiters associated with the college’s placement cell. When we asked Tarini Pujar, Malhar Chairperson 2022, about it, she was amused. “It does help during the screening process, but it really depends on your profile as a whole,” she remarks. Pujar is currently working at ICICI bank. Neelakshi Singh, who headed the production team for Jashn-e-Fitoor, Xavier’s theatre festival, is of the opinion that working for a festival is in reality ungratifying and undignified, and jobs put less pressure on you. “I have seen people unable to complete a mundane task, while their coordinator screamed at them. You delude yourself that it might help you in the future. It doesn’t. College is a bubble.” Students across festival committees complain that these mega-events are built on backbreaking work, under the garb of experience and is after all, free labour. A former chairperson of RD National’s Cutting Chai, says, “Some of my department heads mentioned how for the same amount of work outside, they’d at least get paid for it.” So, does this experience help a student secure a job/internship or not? A senior member at this year’s Malhar team says if not skill, the ordeal has given them life experience, “It has taught me how to be more efficient. I am more patient and a better communicator,” they add. But the experience being given weightage for prestigious universities, especially abroad, is inescapable. Anuj Jain, a career counsellor, who specialises in university application, told mid-day, “Leadership and event management skills are amazing areas to develop during college festivals. Planned extracurriculars during low academic rigour is good. It’s important to stay relevant. Students must take up activities and internships accordingly.” Dsouza remarks, “When I think about how much we stressed about festivals back then, the worry wasn’t worth it. Now that I’ve passed college, I have to stress about getting a job, which is way more challenging than a festival. But I’d do it all over again.”
19 May,2024 06:48 AM IST | Mumbai | Tanya SyedAn Indonesian businessman, charged with sexual abuse in 2017, may soon be extradited from Jakarta to face trial in Mumbai. On April 15, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) responded to the extradition request made by Azad Maidan police, and handed them the guidelines and list of documents needed in Marathi, English and Indonesian languages for the process. The Governments of India and Indonesia have an Extradition Treaty. Ishwar Khemchand Daryanani, 59, allegedly molested, verbally abused and showed indecent gestures to a Bandra-based yoga teacher. A case was registered at Azad Maidan police station and they have initiated the extradition process through MHA and MEA (Ministry of External Affairs). The 32-year-old teacher had registered an FIR under Sections 354, 354A (1) of Indian Penal Code. Daryanani, who rented an apartment in Khar, soon fled the country. The extradition process began when he ignored one bailable and two non-bailable warrants issued against him. One of the non-bailable warrants, issued by Esplanade Court on December 13 2023, was sent to his Jakarta address. “I filed the FIR on July 10, 2017,” says the teacher, “Daryanani first flashed an indecent gesture at me within the High Court premises, then verbally abused me, and later pushed me on the road nearby.” The Esplanade Court issued a bailable warrant for him on September 26, 2018 and a non-bailable warrant on August 28, 2023,” she added. Daryanani filed a discharge application at Esplanade court in response, but it was rejected on March 31, 2021. He then moved Sessions Court to challenge the rejection, but on June 19, 2023, it too rejected his plea. Prior to the filing of this discharge application, the Mumbai police and his accuser were not aware of Daryanani’s location. “We got his Jakarta address from the discharge application,” she says. A second non-bailable warrant was issued via the Indian Embassy in December 2023. “He was summoned in court by January 25, 2024,” the teacher informs. But the court official requested the judge to allow him at least 90 days, as per guidelines. The next date for court appearance was set for April 15. Meanwhile, the Azad Maidan police wrote to the MHA and MEA to begin Daryanani’s extradition process from Jakarta. On April 15, MHA responded with a letter signed by its Deputy Legal Advisor. Mumbai police is now in the process of preparing the documents required by Delhi.
19 May,2024 06:45 AM IST | Mumbai | Diwakar SharmaDo you know what the stars hold for you in terms of love life, career, business and personal wellness? Well, read on to know your astrological predictions as per your zodiac sign. AriesMarch 21 – April 19Deal with situations as they are, rather than from a wishful perspective. Focus on making long term investments.Relationship tip: Create stability in relationships, and do not let any misunderstanding lead to stress. Appreciate the people who always have your back. TaurusApril 20 – May 20Dig deep and adapt to if you have to deal with an unexpected situation. Think about what you can do to take your career to the next level.Relationship tip: Be mindful about whom you trust with any personal information. Do not make promises you do not see yourself keeping, even if it is a small one. GeminiMay 21 – June 20Focus on what is in your control. Think of your next move carefully if you need to deal with a complicated situation.Relationship tip: Think before reacting to friend or family member—do not make assumptions. This is a hopeful time for singles. Be sure about what you are looking for. CancerJune 21 – July 22Think of where you would like to be ten years into the future, and act accordingly. This is a positive time for self-employed professionals.Relationship tip: Words can hurt, and you need to be mindful about what you say to loved ones. Keep your expectations realistic. Be caring. LeoJuly 23 – Aug 22 Make sure you understand a situation properly before rushing in to sort it out. Avoid eating food that does not agree with you.Relationship tip: Focus on being the mature one. Build strong bonds with people who matter. Be mindful while replying to any communication from a friend or relative abroad. VirgoAug 23 – Sept 22Any new idea would need a deeper understanding of what is required for it to be workable. Stick to office protocol while interacting with seniors and colleagues. Relationship tip: If things do not seem to be working out, reevaluate, and think of ways to reach a different outcome. Be open to change your views. LibraSept 23 – Oct 22Look at situations from a different perspective and be willing to change your approach when necessary.Relationship tip: Small gestures to show you care will go a long way. Be very mindful while interacting with elders and decision makers in the family. ScorpioOct 23 – Nov 21Approach life from a practical perspective. Be careful with your spending, even expenses that you consider necessary. Try and maintain a disciplined lifestyle.Relationship tip: Expections from others may lead to disappointment. Reach out to a friend or family member you have been thinking about recently. SagittariusNov 22 – Dec 21Create the right structure for the goals you’re pursuing. Be willing to take the lead as well as ask for guidance when you need it.Relationship tip: Those in a long distance relationships would need to effort to remain connected. Singles should leverage their social network to meet new people. CapricornDec 22 – Jan 19Focus on your strengths. Do not allow yourself to get distracted. Those with chronic health issues might need to take a little extra care of themselves.Relationship tip: Look at the other persons’ perspective if you need to sort out any issue. Those in a committed relationship may want to take it to the next level. AquariusJan 20 – Feb 18Handle legal situations promptly and efficeintly. Tricky work related negotiations should be taken very seriously—do not underestimate the other side.Relationship tip: Expecting too much from others may lead to disappointment. Reconnect with an old friend. PiscesFeb 19 – March 21Work steadily towards any career goal you have, and do not allow yourself to get distracted. Capitalise on all the opportunities that come your way.Relationship tip: Those in a relationship they can’t acknowledge should consider if it is worth it. Singles should avoid temporary situations.
19 May,2024 02:42 AM IST | Mumbai | Aparna BoseA 50-year-old man was arrested by Azad Maidan police for allegedly making a threat call, stating that a major incident would happen at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rally in Shivaji Park on Friday. The accused, identified as Kannappa Reddy, is a resident of Amboli in Andheri West. According to the police, Reddy saw the news about the upcoming rally of PM Modi and made a hoax call. On Friday evening, PM Narendra Modi held a rally at Shivaji Park in Dadar, where he delivered a speech of around 40 minutes at a public meeting. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, Ajit Pawar, and MNS Chief Raj Thackeray were present at the rally as part of the Mahayuti Alliance. According to police officials, the incident occurred on Friday ahead of PM Modi's event. The accused called the Mumbai police control room on emergency number 100, informing them that a major incident would happen at the Shivaji Park rally and advised them to increase security. He then disconnected the call. The police immediately alerted the PM's security team and beefed up the security. The Azad Maidan police registered an FIR after receiving the call from the Mumbai Police Control Room. During the investigation, the police discovered that the call had been received by a lady constable in the control room. The Azad Maidan police and the Crime Branch found that the accused's phone was switched off. They traced his last location to the Amboli area in Andheri, where they apprehended him. The accused told the police that he had been watching the news about the PM's rally on TV when he decided to call the control room and make the threat.
18 May,2024 07:34 PM IST | Mumbai | Shirish VaktaniaUttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath declared on Saturday that Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoK) will be integrated into India within six months of Prime Minister Modi's third term. Speaking at a rally in Mumbai, Chief Minister Yogi expressed confidence in India's ability to defend its borders and battle terrorism and Naxalism. He questioned the efficiency of the Congress-led UPA government's response to terrorism during the Mumbai attacks and stressed the importance of taking a firm position against foes, reported ANI. According to the news agency report, Adityanath praised PM Modi's actions for delivering free food to 80 crore people and bringing millions out of poverty. He chastised people who celebrate Pakistan while highlighting India's success under Modi's leadership. "In the last 10 years, we have seen a new India. Borders have been secured, terrorism and Naxalism have been curbed. When the Mumbai blasts took place, the Congress-led UPA government used to say that the terrorists were from across the border. So what was the use of your missile then," CM Yogi said and added, "A big British newspaper wrote that in the last three years, there were many terrorists in Pakistan who were killed and Indian agencies are behind it. We will not worship our enemy. If someone kills our people we will not worship them but give them an answer that they deserve. It has become difficult for Pakistan to save Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Let PM Modi become the Prime Minister for the third time and within six months PoK will become part of India. Courage is needed for such work." Furthermore, he emphasised the need to respect Indian leaders, safeguard the safety of women, protect businessmen, and create job opportunities for the youth in order to build a better India, the report stated. "Those who are praising Pakistan, I want to tell them that PM Modi has lifted more people out of poverty than the entire population of Pakistan. If they lived in India they would not have died of hunger and would have received free ration. Great men of India have to be respected. Every daughter will have to be given complete security. Every businessman will have to be protected and every youth will have to be provided employment," CM Yogi said. Per the ANI report, earlier, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed similar comments, implying that PoK might join India under Prime Minister Modi's leadership. He noted current protests in PoK and voiced hope for its integration into India if Modi wins a decisive victory in the Lok Sabha Elections 2024. "When the Congress government was in power, we were told that one Kashmir is in India and the other in Pakistan. It was never discussed in our Parliament that Pakistan has 'Occupied Kashmir,' it is actually ours. Right now, agitation is happening every day in PoK and people are protesting against Pakistan by holding the Indian tricolour in their hands. If Modi ji gets 400 seats, then PoK will also become India's part. It has already started," Himanta said.
18 May,2024 07:11 PM IST | Palghar | mid-day online correspondentMumbai Police have planned heavy security arrangements in the city for the Lok Sabha elections 2024 voting day on May 20. Thousands of police officials will be deputed in the city as part of security measures, the police said on Saturday. Mumbai Police said that senior police officials will also be present to review and monitor the security in Mumbai on voting day. The police said, "As part of the deputation of police security in Mumbai, five additional commissioners of police, 25 zonal deputy commissioners of police, 77 assistant commissioners of police will be present for election duty in city." Apart from the senior police officials, the police have also planned a deputation of 2475 police officials and 22,100 police constables, the police said. An official said, "Three companies of Riots Control Police (RCP) will also be stationed in Mumbai on the voting day. 36 Central Security Forces (CAPF and SAP) will also be deputed in city." The police said that additionally 6200 home guards, 120 Police Officials and 5,360 more cops will be present on the streets for security measures. Meanwhile, Mumbai Police have also planned for strong rooms to station election commission equipments in parts of city and have issued restrictions around strong rooms. Preparations have also been made in Mumbai's Bandra-Khar neighbourhood to ensure the seamless movement of election equipment, including Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). To ensure effective traffic management at this critical moment, authorities have issued temporary traffic laws and control measures. Starting May 19, 2024, at 06:00 am and ending May 21, 2024, at 24:00 am selected roads in Bandra-Khar vicinity will be classified as "No Parking" zones for all sorts of vehicles. "The polling for Loksabha Election-2024 will be held on 20/05/2024. A large no of vehicles are being used for the transportation of election materials & equipment including EVM. They will be transported from the strong room (R.V. Technical School, 18th Road, Khar West) to various election polling centres in Bandra & Khar. It is necessary to make changes in the traffic system to regulate the traffic. Following traffic regulation and control shall come into effect on 19/05/2024 at 06:00 hrs to 21/05/2024 at 24:00 hrs," the Mumbai Police said. No Parking zones in Bandra and Khar 18th Khar (w) Road: 18th Road shall be "No Parking" from Dhurandhar Marg junction to S.S. Sahani School for all types of Vehicles. 17th Road, Khar (w): 17th Road shall be "No Parking" from Dhurandhar Marg junction to R.K. Mission Road for all types of Vehicles.
18 May,2024 06:53 PM IST | Mumbai | Asif RizviHigh-energy campaigning ahead of fifth phase of Lok Sabha Elections 2024, including rallies and roadshows, ended at 6 pm on Saturday for 13 Lok Sabha seats in North Maharashtra and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Polling for these seats will take place on May 20, the final round of the state's general elections. In the fifth phase of Lok Sabha Elections 2024, 2.46 crore voters are eligible to vote for 264 candidates. Union ministers and BJP leaders Piyush Goyal (Mumbai North), Bharati Pawar (Dindori), and Kapil Patil (Bhiwandi) are among the leading candidates. Other noteworthy candidates include Shiv Sena leader Shrikant Shinde (Kalyan), Mumbai Congress chairman Varsha Gaikwad, and BJP advocate Ujjwal Nikam, who will run in Mumbai North Central. The constituencies up for votes in fifth phase of Lok Sabha Elections 2024 are Dhule, Nashik, Thane, Palghar, Mumbai North, Mumbai North West, Mumbai North East, Mumbai South Central, and Mumbai South. Thane, Palghar, and Mumbai, which account for ten of the 13 seats, are part of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), one of the country's most densely populated districts. Voting for the fifth phase of Lok Sabha Elections 2024 will take place from 7 am to 6 pm at 24,553 polling stations. There are 2,46,69,544 registered voters, including 1,31,38,526 men, 1,15,28,278 women, and 2,740 of the third gender. The race in Dhule is between the BJP and the Congress. In Dindori, the BJP is pitted against Sharad Pawar's NCP. In Nashik, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena and Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) are competing. Palghar's race is between the BJP and Sena (UBT), whereas Bhiwandi's primary challengers are the BJP and the NCP. Thane and Kalyan, both on Chief Minister Shinde's own turf, are prestige struggles for him. His close aide Naresh Mhaske and his son Shrikant Shinde are the Sena contenders for Thane and Kalyan, respectively. Thackeray's party has fielded candidates in Mumbai South, Mumbai South Central, Mumbai North East, and Mumbai North West as part of a seat-sharing deal with Maha Vikas Aghadi partners, the NCP and Congress. Congress candidates are running in both Mumbai North Central and Mumbai North. On Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi campaigned in Kalyan and Dindori for the candidates of the BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP 'Mahayuti' coalition, as well as holding a roadshow in northeast Mumbai. Modi returned to Mumbai on Friday to address a rally at Shivaji Park. On the same day, the opposition group INDIA organised a rally at the Bandra Kurla Complex, which was attended by Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, Uddhav Thackeray, Sharad Pawar, and Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal. On the final day of campaigning, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath hosted public rallies in Malegaon (Nashik district) and Palghar to support Mahayuti candidates.
18 May,2024 06:11 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIndustrialist and philanthropist Ratan Tata has urged Mumbaikars to vote responsibly in the upcoming polling on May 20 for the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections. The fifth phase of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 will cover various seats in Mumbai. In a post on X, Tata emphasised the importance of voting: "Monday is voting day in Mumbai. I urge all Mumbaikars to go out and vote responsibly." Monday is voting day in Mumbai. I urge all Mumbaikars to go out and vote responsibly. — Ratan N. Tata (@RNTata2000) May 18, 2024 Commissioner of Police, Mumbai, Vivek Phansalkar, also encouraged residents to vote. In his post on X, he remarked, "There are over 10 long weekends in 2024. But the opportunity to vote comes just once in 5 years! Food for thought?" There are over 10 long weekends in 2024.But the opportunity to vote comes just once in 5 years! Food for thought? #MumbaikarVoteKar#GeneralElections #LokSabhaElections2024 #ChunavKaParv #DeshKaGarv@ecisveep @CEO_Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/hCq2hrp2K5 — पोलीस आयुक्त, बृहन्मुंबई - CP Mumbai Police (@CPMumbaiPolice) May 18, 2024 Bollywood actor Salman Khan joined the call to action, highlighting the importance of exercising one's right to vote. "I exercise 365 days a year no matter what and now I'm going to exercise my right to vote on the 20th of May no matter what. So do whatever you want to do, man, but go and vote and don't trouble your Bharat Mata... Bharat Mata ki Jai," Khan said on X. The elections in Mumbai cover six Lok Sabha seats: Mumbai North, Mumbai North West, Mumbai North East, Mumbai North Central, Mumbai South, and Mumbai South Central. Other constituencies in Maharashtra participating in this phase include Dhule, Dindori, Nashik, Kalyan, Palghar, Bhiwandi, and Thane. Maharashtra, with 48 Lok Sabha seats, is the second-largest state in terms of representation after Uttar Pradesh. Voting for the first four phases has already concluded, and the fifth phase is set for May 20. The Lok Sabha Elections 2024 are being conducted in seven phases from April 19 to June 1. The counting of votes and declaration of results will take place on June 4.
18 May,2024 05:39 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMadhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav slammed Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, accusing him of siding with the Congress, which he alleges has a history of imprisoning opposition politicians. At a press conference, Yadav addressed Kejriwal's claims that if the BJP wins a third term in the forthcoming June 4 elections, it will imprison opposition leaders such as Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray, reported PTI. "The Congress has a record of putting the entire opposition in jail. Kejriwal is in alliance with the same people and is accusing the BJP. Show me one instance where opposition leaders have been arrested like at the time of Emergency," Yadav said. Yadav further attacked the Congress for supposedly never acknowledging Lord Ram's presence. "Congress leaders have not visited the Ram temple in Ayodhya and clicked photographs before the deity for fear of angering their vote bank," he said per the PTI report. He also criticised former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, saying the Shiv Sena (UBT) president was power-hungry and should apologise for his political decisions. The BJP leader accused the Congress of disrespecting Hindutva ideologue VD Savarkar and Dr BR Ambedkar. "The Congress has never allowed Dr Ambedkar to win elections, while Savarkar was sent Kalapani twice," he said. He also ridiculed the Congress' promise to distribute Rs 1 lakh per year to women from low-income families through its 'Mahalakshmi' scheme as impossible. "Ram Lalla has smiled in PM Modi's second term, and in his third term, Lord Krishna will smile. Why should we shy away from speaking about dharma (religion)? If not dharma, should we speak of adharma (unrighteousness)?" he asked. MP CM Mohan Yadav also launched an attack against Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal for alleged manhandling of senior Aam Aadmi Party leader and Rajya Sabha Swati Maliwal by his assistant Bibhav Kumar inside his official residence. Speaking about the same, Yadav said, "Whatever needs to be said should be said by Arvind Kejriwal as it all happened at his party and residence. An FIR has been lodged and an arrest has been made into the matter. People are watching all these things and they will not forgive him (Kejriwal)." With ANI inputs
18 May,2024 05:37 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray praised the Centre over construction of the grand Ram temple in Ayodhya and abrogation of Article 370, reported news agency PTI. The MNS chief was seen sharing the dais with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the election rally in Mumbai's Shivaji Park on Friday. Addressing the rally at the sprawling Shivaji Park ground in Dadar, Raj Thackeray, who has extended unconditional support to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ruling allies in Maharashtra in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, listed out his expectations from the PM in his third term in office. The MNS leader justified his decision to support a third term in office for Modi and referred to the Ram temple construction, removal of Article 370 (which provided special status to J&K) and banning of instant triple talaq by his government. "I consider these as courageous decisions. Now, I expect Modiji to accord classical language status to Marathi, include Maratha history in school curriculums in the country and preserve Shivaji-era forts," he said. The ongoing work on the Mumbai-Goa highway also needs to be expedited, said Raj Thackeray. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who was not been seen in public after the May 7 voting in the Baramati Lok Sabha seat in his home turf, was also present at the rally organised in support of Shiv Sena-BJP's Lok Sabha candidates in Mumbai. He took a jibe the opposition for not speaking about development issues and said only PM Modi can provide a strong leadership to the country. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis slammed Shiv Sena (UBT) president and former CM Uddhav Thackeray, saying he has stopped his earlier practice of using the word "Hindu" while addressing gatherings. "The Shivaji Park ground used to hear "my Hindu brothers and sisters" call by (Shiv Sena founder) Balasaheb Thackeray. Now, Uddhav Thackeray has stopped using the word Hindu. When Modi was giving vaccines against COVID-19, the Uddhav Thackeray regime saw khichdi scam...body bags scam ," the BJP leader said, hitting out at his former ally. Sena founder late Bal Thackeray used to address annual Dussehra rallies in the Shivaji Park ground. Fadnavis maintained Uddhav Thackeray's rallies are seeing Pakistan flags and glorification of medieval-era Mysore ruler Tipu Sultan. "The poor have the first right over country's resources irrespective of their religion," he said. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said his predecessor Uddhav Thackeray, who has allied with the Congress and the NCP (SP), cannot now dare to say "Garve se kaho hum Hindu hai" (say with pride that I am a Hindu). "Never before anyone has seen a chameleon change colours so fast," he remarked, slamming his political rival without naming him. "Balasaheb had asked his supporters to hit (Congress leader) Mani Shankar Aiyar's photo with chappals when he insulted (Hindutva icon Veer) Savarkar. But Uddhav Thackeray is keeping the Congress's shoes on his head," he opined. "We are going ahead with his (Balasaheb's) ideology. We don't want his property. True followers of Balasaheb will never vote for the Congress," said Shinde, who revolted against Uddhav Thackeray's leadership in June 2022. Shinde sought votes for Modi, saying he has kept India secure, improved its economy and leading the country towards becoming a super power. Thirteen Lok Sabha seats, including 6 in Mumbai, will vote on May 20 in the fifth and last phase of Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra. (With inputs from PTI)
18 May,2024 05:05 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentPrime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday evening paid floral tributes to Dr B R Ambedkar at 'Chaityabhoomi' and Hindutva ideologue V D Savarkar at his memorial in Mumbai before heading to Shivaji Park to address an election rally for the ruling 'Mahayuti' alliance, reported news agency PTI. Chaityabhoomi in Dadar, where Ambedkar was cremated, and Savarkar's memorial are located in close vicinity of the sprawling Shivaji Park Ground, the rally venue. PM Modi shared stage with Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray, a BJP ally. This was the 18th election election rally of PM Modi held in Maharashtra for Lok Sabha Elections 2024. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy CMs Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar and Union minister Ramdas Athawale also attended the rally. The campaign rally was held to seek votes for all the 6 Shiv Sena-BJP candidates in Mumbai which goes to polls on May 20 in the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections. Meanwhile, INDIA bloc leaders held a rally BKC's Pathaka Maidan on the same evening. The rally was attended by AAP leader and Delhi CM Kejriwal, Shiv Sena (UBT) Uddhav Thackeray, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, NCP (SP) founder Sharad Pawar and many others. (With inputs from PTI) Lok Sabha elections 2024: PM Modi wants to finish democracy, Kejriwal says at INDIA rally in Mumbai Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi wanted to finish off Indian democracy and was taking the country towards dictatorship, reported the PTI. Arvind Kejriwal was speaking at a rally of the opposition's INDIA bloc in Mumbai ahead of the May 20 voting for the six constituencies in the city for Lok Sabha elections 2024 and elsewhere in Maharashtra, the AAP leader claimed that Modi's policy was "if you can't defeat opponents, arrest them." Meanwhile, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said at the rally at the BKC ground in Mumbai that there was an undercurrent against the PM Modi-led government, and that is why the PM is afraid, as per the PTI. PM Modi was not paying attention to employment generation and controlling of inflation, he claimed.
18 May,2024 04:28 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
