Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Sunday said his party is ready to come together with anyone who will work to protect the interests of Maharashtra and Marathi manoos, reported the PTI. Aaditya Thackeray's statement comes amid the rapprochement buzz between the Uddhav Thackeray-led party and Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). Talking to reporters In Mumbai, Aaditya Thackeray accused the BJP of "swallowing" Mumbai and Maharashtra. He said injustice is being meted out to Maharashtra by the BJP. "We have been saying this consistently. We are ready to work with anyone, any party that is ready to work in the interests of Maharashtra and Marathi manoos," he said, according to the PTI. "Our responsibility is to bring in change. Any party that is working to protect the interests of Maharashtra needs to come together and fight," he said on a question on an alliance between the MNS and the Shiv Sena (UBT), the news agency reported. The Thackeray cousins have sparked speculation about a possible reconciliation with their recent statements indicating they could ignore "trivial issues" and join hands nearly two decades after a bitter parting of ways. While Raj Thackeray has said uniting in the interest of Marathi manoos (Marathi-speaking people) was not difficult, Uddhav Thackeray has insisted he was ready to put aside trivial fights, provided those working against Maharashtra's interests were not entertained. Earlier, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray had on Friday said that whatever people of Maharashtra wish will happen, amid talks of possibility of an alliance between his party and the MNS led by his estranged cousin Raj Thackeray. Talking to reporters in Mumbai, the former Maharashtra chief minister had said that there was no confusion in the minds of the workers of both the parties about this. "Whatever people of Maharashtra wish will happen," Uddhav Thackeray had said, according to the PTI. The Thackeray cousins have sparked speculation about a possible reconciliation with their recent statements indicating that they could ignore "trivial issues" and join hands nearly two decades after a bitter parting of ways. While Raj Thackeray has said uniting in the interest of Marathi manoos (Marathi-speaking people) was not difficult, Uddhav Thackeray has said he was ready to put aside trivial fights, provided those working against Maharashtra's interests were not entertained. (with PTI inputs)
08 June,2025 10:50 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra on Sunday reported 77 new Covid-19 cases, 25 of them in Mumbai alone, taking the number of infections to 607 in the state, the public health department said. According to the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP), a total of 16,750 Covid-19 tests have been carried out since January this year. Of these, 1,439 people tested positive, and 814 patients have recovered, resulting in a recovery rate of 56.56 per cent, a Covid-19 bulletin issued by the state public health department said on Sunday. Of the new cases, Mumbai reported 25 cases, Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC)-04, Pune-3, Pune Municipal Corporation-36, PCMC-2, Kolhapur -5, Kolhapur MC-1, Nagpur MC-1. Mumbai has seen a significant rise in cases, with 665 patients since January, most of whom tested positive in May (659 cases). The total number of active Covid-19 cases in the state is 607. The public health department's bulletin stated that most infections show only mild symptoms. The public health department has urged citizens to stay calm and not panic, as testing and treatment facilities are fully available across the state. The bulletin said that there has been 18 deaths so far this year, 17 of them in patients with comorbidities, such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, stroke, or chronic kidney issues. Only one death occurred in a person without known comorbidities - a 47-year-old woman with fever and shortness of breath. The following instructions have been given to all officers at Divisional level, District and Municipal Corporations in the state-level Covid-19 review meeting- - Regular surveillance of ILI (Influenza-Like Illness) and SARI (Severe Acute Respiratory Infections) patients. - At least 5 per cent of ILI and 100 per cent of SARI patients to be tested for Covid-19. - All positive samples must be sent for whole genome sequencing. - All government health institutions, medical colleges, and municipal hospitals must stay updated and prepared for testing and treatment. Meanwhile, last week, in view of the recent spike in Covid-19 cases in India, the Union Health Ministry on Wednesday said that it has asked states to ensure the availability of oxygen supplies, isolation beds, ventilators, essential medicines and hold preparedness drills. Several states in India has been witnessing a rise in Covid-19 cases.
08 June,2025 08:52 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentWestern Railway’s Mumbai Division organised a special edition of the “Sundays on Cycles” campaign as part of the Fit India Movement on Sunday, June 8, 2025. The event was aimed at promoting health and fitness among railway staff and the general public. The rally was flagged off from the Western Railway Headquarters at Churchgate, with senior railway officers and staff members joining the ride. More than 100 participants took part, including many women, making the event inclusive and energetic, officials said. The campaign supports the message given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi - “Fitness ka Dose, Aadha Ghanta Roz” - encouraging everyone to dedicate at least 30 minutes a day to physical activity. According to Vineet Abhishek, Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, the event was a great success. Organised in collaboration with the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and Western Railway Sports Association, the rally highlighted the importance of regular exercise like cycling to maintain good health. He said that a special edition of the “Sundays on Cycles” campaign was successfully organized on 8th June, 2025 for the Indian Railways. In this direction, Mumbai Central Division of Western Railway, in collaboration with the Sports Authority of India (SAI), organised the cycle rally in Mumbai which was flagged off from Western Railway Headquarters, Churchgate. "Cycling rally was a huge hit and witnessed an energetic response, especially from a large number of women participants, symbolizing inclusivity and collective commitment to health. Raising the slogan "Fitness Ka Dose – Aadha Ghanta Roz", participants cycled together through the city to promote daily physical activity as a lifestyle habit. The rally not only underlined the message of fitness but also strengthened the Railways' resolve to support national health campaigns. All participants appreciated the initiative and vowed to continue cycling regularly as part of their fitness routine. The campaign reinforced the message that a healthier nation begins with consistent small steps, like cycling for 30 minutes a day," Vineet Abhishek said on Sunday. Participants cycled through Mumbai, spreading the message that fitness can be simple, fun, and part of everyday life. Many attendees expressed their intention to continue cycling regularly to stay active.
08 June,2025 08:27 PM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentMaharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal on Sunday dubbed Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' rebuttal to Rahul Gandhi's claims on the fairness of the Maharashtra assembly elections 2024 an "evasive attempt to distract the public", reported the PTI. A day after Rahul Gandhi's write-up triggered a political slugfest between Congress and BJP, CM Fadnavis on Sunday debunked the electoral "match-fixing and rigging" allegations through a newspaper article, stating "Rahul Gandhi has dismissed mandate of people as they rejected him", according to the PTI. Addressing a press conference, Harshwardhan Sapkal demanded a narco test of Maharashtra's Chief Electoral Officer S. Chockalingam and the then Additional CEO Kiran Kulkarni to "expose the truth behind the alleged "vote theft" in the Maharashtra assembly polls. He demanded the Election Commission's reply to the questions raised by Rahul Gandhi in an article published in an English daily. "The BJP and Fadnavis were the prime beneficiaries of the vote theft. The Election Commission should respond," Sapkal said, as per the PTI. He said the counter-reply given by Fadnavis is laughable and an evasive attempt to distract the public. Sapkal said Fadnavis and the BJP alliance directly benefited from the vote manipulation and enjoying the spoils of power. "CM Devendra Fadnavis should stop acting like a judicial icon. His governance bears resemblance to that of a corrupt police chief. His responses are weak, superficial, and fail to address the actual questions," Sapkal claimed. Fadnavis has responded to Gandhi's claims through an article in The Indian Express, stating the Congress leader has been constantly "insulting" the democratic process and the people's mandate. "The people have rejected Rahul Gandhi, and in retaliation, he is rejecting the people and their mandate," the BJP leader charged. Hitting out at the Election Commission, Sapkal said the poll watchdog remains "silent" even though questions are being raised over its transparency and integrity. "These are questions of democratic survival, and the Commission must answer them. However, it remains silent, denies CCTV footage, and quietly changes the rules," Sapkal alleged. Sapkal said CM Fadnavis mentioned the appointments of election commissioners (during the Congress rule), but he conveniently forgot that CEC T.N. Seshan was appointed during the Congress era. "Seshan redefined the model code of conduct. But in Modi's BJP era, the Chief Justice was removed from the selection panel and replaced with a Union Minister. Fadnavis' article is a mere damage control exercise, probably written at the behest of his bosses in Delhi, reported the PTI. "His article doesn't deserve a written rebuttal," Sapkal added. A day after Gandhi sought the Election Commission's response, sources in the poll authority said Sunday the constitutional body would respond only if the Leader of the Opposition wrote to it directly. "Is the Election Commission denying that media is the fourth pillar of democracy? The questions raised by the Congress and Rahul Gandhi deserve factual and objective responses from the Commission," Sapkal said, the news agency reported. He alleged that Fadnavis made himself the guardian minister of Gadchiroli district due to a "lucrative mining racket" operating there. (with PTI inputs)
08 June,2025 07:36 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has launched a special Bharat Gaurav Train tour to mark the 351st coronation anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, an official statement said on Sunday. The tour has received an overwhelming response with 100 per cent of the seats booked. The train will depart from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Mumbai, on June 9, 2025. A total of 710 passengers will be part of this journey, including 480 in Economy (Sleeper), 190 in Comfort (3AC), and 40 in Superior (2AC) class, the statement said. It said that the six-day tour, jointly organised by the Indian Railways and the Government of Maharashtra, will cover important sites from the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. These include Raigad Fort, Shivneri Fort, Pratapgad Fort, Panhala Fort, Lal Mahal, Kasba Ganpati, and Shivsrushti. Tourists will also visit two spiritual sites - Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga and the Mahalaxmi Temple in Kolhapur. On the first day, the train will reach Mangaon station, which is nearest to Raigad Fort – the site of Shivaji Maharaj’s coronation and capital. The journey continues to Pune for an overnight stay. In Pune, tourists will explore Lal Mahal, Kasba Ganpati temple, and Shivsrushti – a 3D historical theme park. On the third day, the train will take passengers to Shivneri Fort – the birthplace of Shivaji Maharaj – and later to the Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga temple. On the fourth day, the group will visit Pratapgad Fort, known for the historic battle against Afzal Khan, before heading to Kolhapur. In Kolhapur, tourists will visit the famous Mahalaxmi Temple and Panhala Fort – where Shivaji Maharaj spent over 500 days. This fort is remembered for the bravery of Baji Prabhu Deshpande during a critical battle. The train will return to Mumbai on the sixth day. "The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Circuit is a specially curated tour showcasing the grand legacy and glorious history of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj over a span of five nights and six days. This tour is a joint collaboration between the Government of Maharashtra and Indian Railways. The train will cover historical sites such as Raigad Fort, Shivneri Fort, Pratapgad Fort, Panhala Fort, Lal Mahal, Kasba Ganpati, and Shivsrushti – locations that represent significant milestones in the life of the great Maratha ruler. Two additional attractions include the Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga and Mahalaxmi Temple in Kolhapur. With convenience and accessibility, the train offers passengers a smooth and enriching journey into Maharashtra’s proud past and vibrant cultural legacy," the official statement said. The all-inclusive package includes travel, hotel stays, vegetarian meals, transfers, sightseeing, insurance, and escort services. The IRCTC has promised a safe, smooth, and memorable experience celebrating Maharashtra’s rich history.
08 June,2025 06:14 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarHDFC Bank has denied Lilavati Trust's allegation that the bank's MD and CEO Sashidhar Jagdishan was involved in a series of financial frauds. The allegation levelled by Lilavati Kirtilal Mehta Medical Trust (LKMM Trust), its trustees and officials against the bank's MD and CEO are baseless and malicious, an HDFC Bank's spokesperson said. "The outrageous and preposterous allegations are strongly and categorically denied," the spokesperson said in a statement. The Trust, which oversees Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai, had called upon the board of HDFC Bank, the RBI, SEBI and the Finance Ministry to suspend Jagdishan from all executive and board roles with immediate effect. "An FIR...was registered under orders of the Bombay Magistrate Court after a seized cash diary revealed Rs 14.42 crore misappropriated by trustees, of which Rs 2.05 crore was received by Jagdishan, establishing his direct involvement," the Trust had alleged. According to the HDFC Bank spokesperson, Jagdishan is being targeted by unscrupulous persons who are abusing the legal process to thwart the recovery of the long outstanding loan due to the bank from recalcitrant defaulters. "The Trustee, Prashant Mehta and his family members owe substantial amounts to HDFC Bank which were never repaid. Recovery and enforcement actions have been taken by the bank over two decades and at every stage Prashant Mehta and his other family members have launched numerous vexatious legal actions," the statement said. Having consistently failed at all levels including the Supreme Court, they have now resorted to the recent mala fide personal attacks on the bank's MD & CEO with the sole objective of intimidating and bullying the bank from carrying out the mandate of recovering all outstanding loans in every possible manner permissible under law, it added. Additionally, the Trust has sought a bar on Jagdishan from holding office in any SEBI-regulated entity while investigations are ongoing. The Trust also alleged that the offer of Rs 1.5 crore disguised as CSR funds to hospital staff shows the intent to destroy evidence and obstruct justice. Despite judicial findings and multiple complaints, HDFC Bank failed to act, violating Section 166 of the Companies Act and SEBI governance mandates, the Trust alleged. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
08 June,2025 05:40 PM IST | Mumbai | PTIThe seven lakes that supply drinking water to Mumbai had a water stock of 10.72 per cent, or 1,55,125 million litres on June 8, in comparison to 11.06 per cent recorded on Saturday morning. At full capacity, the lakes hold a cumulative water content of 14,47,363 million litres. The catchment area of these lakes received a cumulative of 34 mm of rainfall from Saturday to Sunday morning. However, the water stock this year is higher in comparison to the water in these lakes on the same day in 2024, which was at 6.13 per cent, of 88,679 million litres. On the same day in 2023, the lakes held 10.90 per cent water. BMC supplies 3950 million litres of drinking water to the city every day, from Upper Vaitarna, Modak Sagar, Tansa, Middle Vaitarna, Bhatsa, Vehar, and Tulsi lakes. Rainfall received in 24 hours between 8 am on June 7 to 8 am on June 8 (Mumbai only): Island city - 25 mmEastern Suburbs - 13 mmWestern Suburbs - 6 mm Mumbai weather updates: Cloudy skies, light rainfall likely today Mumbaikars can expect a generally cloudy day with the possibility of light rain or thundershowers at isolated locations across the city and its suburbs, according to the latest Mumbai weather updates. The weather department has not issued any warnings, but there is a possibility of light rainfall across Mumbai and its suburban areas. The IMD's Santacruz observatory recorded a maximum temperature of 31.8 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 25.4 degrees Celsius on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Colaba observatory reported a high of 31 degrees Celsius and a low of 23.8 degrees Celsius, as per the latest Mumbai weather updates. The high tides are expected at 10:32 AM with a height of 3.83 meters, and again at 10:11 PM reaching 3.42 meters. Low tides are predicted at 4:22 PM with a height of 2.22 meters, and early the next day at 4:15 AM with a low of 0.97 meters. As the monsoon gradually approaches, the city may witness an increase in rainfall activity over the coming days. The IMD said that quantitatively, the southwest monsoon seasonal rainfall over the country as a whole is likely to be 106 per cent of the Long Period Average (LPA) with a model error of +-4 per cent, indicating that above-normal rainfall is most likely over the country as a whole during the monsoon season (June to September), 2025. "The southwest monsoon seasonal (June to September, 2025) rainfall is most likely to be above normal over Central India and South Peninsular India (>106% of LPA), normal over Northwest India (92-108% of LPA) and below normal over Northeast India (<94% of LPA)," the IMD said in a press release.
08 June,2025 04:05 PM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentAdopting an ideal lifestyle is necessary to avoid diabetes, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Saturday while asserting that traditional dietary habits developed through conventional lifestyles have undergone improper changes due to urbanisation, reported news agency PTI. He was speaking after inaugurating the the 12th International Conference 'Hello Diabetes' jointly organised by Diabetes Care and Research Centre and the Diabetes Care Foundation of India. Highlighting the serious and concerning spread of diabetes and obesity in India, Fadnavis said such conferences contribute significantly to ensuring India does not become the diabetes capital of the world, reported PTI. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched several initiatives such as Fit India Movement to address lifestyle-related diseases, prioritizing health awareness, he added. "Traditional dietary habits developed through conventional lifestyles have undergone improper changes due to urbanization. As a result, various diseases are affecting people at a younger age. By adopting an ideal lifestyle, it is possible to stay away from diabetes," Fadnavis said, reported PTI. Stressing the need for in-depth research on diabetes, the CM said public awareness about causes and remedies, and ideal lifestyle practices are essential to prevent diabetes. "Awareness is the first and most effective treatment against this disease that weakens human physical abilities. Preventing gestational diabetes in pregnant women and thereby reducing the risk to newborns is a major challenge before medical experts. If positive outcomes emerge from this conference, future generations can remain diabetes-free," he asserted, reported PTI. One of the biggest problems is the reluctance to accept the disease after its diagnosis, Fadnavis pointed out. Fadnavis steers clear of buzz over possible reunion of Thackerays, Pawars Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Saturday that he did not want to invite "trouble" by commenting on the speculation over potential tie-ups between the NCP factions as well as the estranged Thackeray cousins. "I don't subscribe to 'begani shaadi mein Abdullah diwana' (a person getting involved in someone else's affairs even though he has nothing to do with it)," he said in response to questions about the Thackerays and the Pawars. Over the past few weeks, there has been a growing buzz about a possible reunion between the NCP, headed by Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, and NCP (SP), led by his uncle Sharad Pawar. Speculation is also rife about an alliance between Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). "They are brothers (Thackerays) as well as uncle and nephew (Pawars). If they decide among themselves, then fine. You (media) are speculating. I don't even know if they are communicating with one another, but you have already grown impatient. I don't want to invite trouble by commenting on both families," said Fadnavis. When asked about surplus sugar stock in the state, Fadnavis said polylactic acid (biodegradable plastic) can be made from it. "This could also serve as a decent solution for times when we have excess stock," he added. (With inputs from PTI)
08 June,2025 03:38 PM IST | Nagpur | mid-day online correspondentThe civic officials said that a fire broke out at a 14-storey residential building in Mumbra area of Maharashtra's Thane district in the early hours of Sunday, reported news agency PTI. They said there was no report of any casualty. The Sheel Fire Station reported the blaze at 2.54 am to the disaster control room. The fire originated in an electric duct between the fourth and seventh floors of the A-wing of the S K Residency building located near Mumbra bypass, Thane Municipal Corporation's disaster management cell chief Yasin Tadvi said, reported PTI. "The fire was limited to the electrical cable duct and did not spread to any residential flat. No casualty was reported from the site," he said. The fire brigade personnel, regional disaster management cell team and police promptly reached the spot and launched the firefighting operation. Residents of the building also joined the effort using fire extinguishers available on the premises. "The fire was completely extinguished by 3.42 am," Tadvi said, reported PTI. The exact cause of the blaze was yet to be ascertained, though initial indications suggested an electrical fault within the duct system, the official said. The disaster management cell has urged housing societies to periodically review their fire safety measures and ensure strict compliance with safety protocols, particularly in high-rise structures, Tadvi added. Fire breaks out at cake shop in Mumbai's Churchgate station A fire broke out at a cake shop inside the busy Churchgate railway station in Mumbai on June 5 evening, triggering concerns among commuters during the peak hours. The Western Railway said nobody was injured in the fire, which was controlled within five minutes. Suburban services at the station remained unaffected, it said. A civic official said that the incident was reported around 5.25 pm by the Western Railway. The Mumbai fire brigade rushed its teams and firefighting equipment to the spot. Police and local civic staff were also mobilised to facilitate the firefighting operation, the official said. The fire at the shop was doused within a few minutes, he said, adding that efforts are being made to ascertain the cause of the fire and the extent of damage. However, daily commuters had a few anxious moments as the entire concourse of the busy suburban terminal station was smoke-clogged due to the fire. One of the busiest suburban stations of the Western Railway, thousands of commuters board local trains from the Churchgate terminus in the evening. Later, the Western Railway said in a statement that a "minor" fire incident was reported at one of the stalls at the concourse of the station. The alert staff used fire extinguishers and controlled it within five minutes, it said. While the fire was confined to the shop selling cakes and other bakery products, railway staffers on the first floor of the six-storey building vacated as a precautionary measure, the statement added. (With inputs from PTI)
08 June,2025 03:14 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentThe officials on Sunday said that the Maharashtra government as approved Rs 2.7 crore for immediate assistance to people who suffered damages due to unseasonal rains in Palghar district in the last two months, reported news agency PTI. The unseasonal weather events during April 4-6, May 6-7 and 23-25 resulted in widespread damage across the region. "A total of 38 houses were completely destroyed, while 3,852 homes suffered partial damage. Additionally, 10 huts and six cowsheds were damaged due to high winds and heavy rainfall," the district administration said in a release, reported PTI. In view of the extensive damage caused to houses, agriculture, fruit cultivation, fish products and livestock in Palghar during the unseasonal rains, district Guardian Minister Ganesh Naik raised the issue during a recent cabinet meeting and secured a sanction of Rs 2.70 crore for immediate relief efforts, it said, reported PTI. The approved amount was being disbursed to the affected families on a priority basis, the release said. "Many families were left homeless in the aftermath of the unseasonal rains and storms. This assistance will offer essential support for their rehabilitation," Palghar Collector Dr Indu Rani Jakhar said, reported PTI. (With inputs from PTI)
08 June,2025 02:54 PM IST | Palghar | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday said Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, instead of introspecting on the defeat in the 2024 state assembly polls, has been repudiating the mandate given by the people because they rejected him, reported news agency PTI. The leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha is preparing his excuses for future defeats in the upcoming assembly elections, including Bihar, Fadnavis said in his articles published in the leading daily newspapers. On Saturday, Gandhi, in an article published in several newspapers and in posts on X, claimed the 2024 Maharashtra assembly elections were a "blueprint for rigging democracy" and alleged this "match-fixing" would next happen in Bihar. In a post on X, Gandhi outlined the alleged electoral irregularities in a stepwise manner, fake voters are added, voter turnout is inflated, bogus voting is facilitated, and evidence is subsequently hidden. The Election Commission rejected the charge, saying defaming the poll panel after an unfavourable verdict is absolutely absurd. In response to Gandhi's claims, Fadnavis in his article said the Congress leader has been constantly "insulting" the democratic process and the people's mandate, reported PTI. "The people have rejected Rahul Gandhi, and in retaliation, he is rejecting the people and their mandate," the BJP leader charged, reported PTI. " It would be more prudent to accept defeat for once and introspect on where you are going wrong, where your connection with the people is lacking, and what you should do about it," he said, reported PTI. The Congress leader is preparing his excuses for future defeats in the upcoming assembly polls, including Bihar, he charged. The Mahayuti, comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP, won the 2024 Maharashtra polls with a thumping majority, defeating the Maha Vikas Aghadi, which includes the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP). Fadnavis said, "As far as the Maharashtra election is concerned, it was not fundamentally a contest between the Mahayuti and the Maha Vikas Aghadi. There was another factor: The Bharat Jodo Abhiyaan. What was this 'todo' (break) campaign, established under the name of "jodo" (unite), doing?," reported PTI. It was creating misconceptions among the public against all of the country's constitutional institutions, thereby inciting them to fight against the nation itself. This includes the judiciary and the Election Commission, he claimed. From 1950 until a new law was enacted, the (previous) Congress governments directly appointed the Chief Election Commissioner, Fadnavis said. Out of 26 commissioners to date, 25 were directly appointed by the central government. For the first time, Prime Minister Narendra Modi established a committee that includes the leader of the opposition or the leader of the largest political party (in the opposition), he noted. Referring to Gandhi's objection to an increase in the number of electors in the 2024 Maharashtra polls whom he called "bogus voters", Fadnavis said the number of young voters is constantly increasing. "Between 2014 and 2019, 63 lakh new voters were added; from 2009 to 2014, 75 lakh new voters were added; and from 2004 to 2009, 1 crore new voters were added. This means that nothing extraordinary happened in 2024," he said, reported PTI. In 2004, 5 per cent more in the assembly elections than in the Lok Sabha polls. In 2009, 4 per cent more; in 2014, 3 per cent more; in 2019, 1 per cent more; and in 2024, 4 per cent more. So again, nothing new happened in 2024, the CM said, reported PTI. "The claim that the voting percentage suddenly increased is a huge joke. Is Rahul Gandhi unaware that 5 pm to 6 pm is also a polling hour, and everyone present in the queue at the booth by 6 pm is allowed to cast their vote?" he asked, reported PTI. In the second phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the voter turnout figure given at 5 pm was 60.96 per cent, which was finalised at 66.71 per cent the next day. The increase was 5.75 per cent. "But are you going to hide that fact because you won that election?" Fadnavis said, reported PTI. Previously, the final voting figures would come late at night; now, the 5 pm figure is released, and the final figure comes the next day, he said. The claim that the NDA won where the voter percentage increased at the last moment is "even more laughable," Fadnavis said. "Rahul Gandhi gave the example of Kamthi (assembly seat in Maharashtra). But I will provide examples which he did not. In Madha, there was an 18 per cent increase, where the Sharad Pawar group's candidate won. In Wani, a 13 per cent increase, when the Uddhav Thackeray group's candidate won. In Shrirampur, a 12 per cent increase, where the Congress won," he said, reported PTI. Fadnavis said Rahul Gandhi has been constantly "insulting" the democratic process and the people's mandate. "The people have rejected Rahul Gandhi, and in retaliation, he is rejecting the people and their mandate," he said. "This will only push the Congress party further into a ditch. He needs to introspect on why his own party's MLAs make statements challenging anyone to get an appointment with him within a day. He must be mindful of which direction he is taking the country and what poison he is spreading by constantly raising doubts about the democratic process and constitutional institutions," the CM said, reported PTI. Fadnavis said the defeat in Maharashtra has hurt Gandhi and his allies. "But if you continue to insult the mandate of Maharashtra's farmers, Ladki Bahin (beloved sisters), common people, and all its citizens in this manner, the people of Maharashtra will never forgive you," he added. (With inputs from PTI)
08 June,2025 02:13 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
