Asian Lite News Archive

Category: Maharashtra

  • Mumbai limps back to normalcy

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    A day after being ravaged by torrential rains, Mumbai limped back to normalcy  amidst forecast of heavy rains for the weekend. There have been around eight rain-related casualties, including three in Mumbai and the rest in other parts of Maharashtra so far. The city’s lifelines — Western Railway (WR), Central Railway (CR) and the Harbour…

  • Mumbai moonshine tragedy toll climbing

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    The toll in the illicit liquor tragedy in a suburban bar here has shot up to 20 with the death of seven more people, police said….reports Asian Lite News. At least five victims are critical and are battling for life at various hospitals. Two people, identified as Raju Langada and Shankar, have been arrested. They…

  • Mumbai Coastal Road gets nod

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    The union environment ministry has given the ‘green’ signal for the proposed coastal road for Mumbai, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said. Fadnavis made the announcement after a meeting with union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar in New Delhi. “It’s a dream come true…Best gift to Mumbai by Modi government,” Fadnavis tweeted on what could be most…

  • Mumbai marks Aruna Shanbaug’s birthday

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    Nurses of the KEM Hospital fondly remembered Aruna Ramchandra Shanbaug, who remained in coma for 42 years after sexual assault when she was 25 and died here on May 18. Since morning, scores of nurses visited the tiny room No.4 in the hospital which was Shanbaug’s home as she lay there for over four decades…

  • Shiv Sena targets judiciary

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    Apparently peeved by a recent Supreme Court ruling restricting the use of pictures of politicians in government advertisements, the Shiv Sena trained guns on the judiciary, terming the latest move as ‘unjust’ here. Referring to the ruling which allows only the pictures of president, prime minister or the chief justice in government advertisements, the Sena…

  • Sena demands ‘ghar wapsi’ of Kashmiri Pandits

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    The Shiv Sena has demanded proper and honourable rehabilitation of the displaced Kashmiri Pandits of Jammu and Kashmir who were forced to flee their home-state over 25 years ago. “Jammu and Kashmir now has a stable government of the BJP and the PDP, and a strong administration led by Narendra Modi at the centre. Since…

  • Revoke Muslims’ voting right: Shiv Sena

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      Voting rights of Muslims should be revoked to stop vote-bank politics, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut has said in an article slamming AIMIM leaders Asaduddin and Akbaruddin Owaisi for polarising the community. In the article published in the lastest issue of the Shiv Sena’s mouthpeice Saamna, Raut, also a Rajya Sabha member, addressed All…

  • Sena protests outside Shobhaa De home

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    The Shiv Sena staged a noisy protest  outside celebrity author Shobhaa De’s residence, after she attacked a move to force multiplexes to show Marathi movies in the prime time slot. Carrying banners as well as ‘vada-pav’ and ‘misal’, the Sainkis shouted slogans against De. The protesters condemned De’s comments opposing the Bharatiya Janata Party-Sena government’s…

  • SC rejects Memon’s plea

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    The Supreme Court dismissed the plea by 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blast mastermind Yaqub Abdul Razak Memon for a review of his death sentence. Memon had sought the recall of March 21, 2013, apex court order upholding his death sentence by the special court. The apex court bench of Justice Anil R. Dave, Justice J.…

  • Maharashtra goes beefless

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    Beef, the popular red meat, was on banned in Maharashtra with presidential assent being accorded to the relevant legislation — two decades after the assembly had passed it during the former Shiv Sena-BJP government in the state. Presidential assent was accorded to the Maharashtra Animal Prevention (Amendment Bill), 1995, which bans even the slaughter of…

  • Mothers day order on Valentines day backfires

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      A directive asking schools and colleges in Maharashtra’s Satara district to celebrate St. Valentine’s Day as “Mother’s Day” was withdrawn , an official said. Maharashtra Education Minister Vinod Tawde said of the Feb 11 circular: “It was wrong to issue such a circular.” Shortly after  the story, a top state education department official called…

  • Maharashtra to buy Ambedkar’s London home

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    Maharashtra is to buy the residential property in London where Dr B R Ambedkar lived while studying at the London School of Economics in 1921-22. The Maharashtra government has written to the Centre expressing its wish to acquire a residential property at 10 King Henry Road, Chalk Farm, London. The Maharashtra government has decided to buy…

  • India celebrates Pongal

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    The harvest festival of Pongal was celebrated by people of Tamil Nadu in the traditional manner – by getting up early, donning new clothes and visiting temples. The Pongal festival is celebrated to thank the sun, rain and farm animals. The aroma of ghee-fried cashews, almonds and cardamom wafted through from homes as the traditional…

  • All clear for Navi Mumbai Airport

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    The central government has cleared a major hurdle in the development of the country’s largest greenfield airport coming up here, an official said. The ministry of civil aviation has approved the regulatory regime of “Shared Till” for the upcoming Rs.15,000-crore Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), in adjoining Raigad district. This followed intervention by Chief Minister…

  • Sena formally joins Fadnavis govt

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    The Shiv Sena  formally joined the BJP government in Maharashtra led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Ten Shiv Sena ministers, including five of cabinet rank and five of minister of state rank, were took oath in the first expansion of the Fadnavis ministry this afternoon. Ten Bharatiya Janata Party ministers – five of cabinet rank…

  • Shiv Sena makes an U-turn

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      Burying the bitterness of the recent past, the opposition Shiv Sena has decided to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Maharashtra, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced here Thursday. The state cabinet will be expanded Friday to include 10 Shiv Sena ministers, he said. This is the first instance in Maharashtra where an…

  • A.R. Antulay 1929-2014

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    Congress veteran Abdul Rahman Antulay, Maharashtra’s first Muslim chief minister and a former central minister, died here Tuesday following prolonged illness, his nephew said. He was 85. Antulay passed away at the Breach Candy Hospital where he was admitted a few days ago. He is survived by his wife Nargis, son Naved and daughters Neelam,…

  • Fadnavis announces memorial to Thackeray

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      For the first time in nearly three months, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis met Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray amidst protests by some Sena activists at Bal Thackeray’s memorial here. Fadnavis with over half a dozen of his cabinet ministers and several Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders arrived at the Thackeray memorial in Shivaji Park…

  • BJP lost peoples trust: Shiv Sena

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      The Shiv Sena  said that the BJP government in Maharashtra won the vote of confidence in the assembly , but lost the trust of the people. The Shiv Sena rejected the vote of confidence won by the government in a voice vote without division of votes in the Maharashtra assembly Wednesday and said the…

  • Fadnavis wins trust vote, Sena in opposition

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      Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ minority government  won the vote of confidence of the state assembly by a voice vote, while the Shiv Sena opted for the role of opposition here. The development was preceded by the unanimous election of BJP leader Haribhau Bagde as the new Speaker of the Maharashtra assembly. The Congress…

  • Sena still hopes for a date with BJP

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      A day after it decided to sit in the opposition in the Maharashtra assembly, the Shiv Sena still harboured hopes of an amicable settlement with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) here  – and a share in power in the state. Sena spokesperson Neelam Gorhe said Tuesday that talks with the BJP have been suspended,…

  • Sena to sit in opposition in Maharashtra

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    In a sudden move, the Shiv Sena  announced its decision to sit in the opposition in Maharashtra assembly and not join the minority BJP government headed by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. “We have sent a letter signed by Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray to this effect to the legislature secretariat. In the letter we have…

  • Shiv Sena sulks and recall nominee

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    In a last-minute turnaround, Shiv Sena abstained from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cabinet expansion, asking its nominee Anil Y. Desai to return to Mumbai. Desai’s name was suggested for a berth in the union ministry and he rushed to New Delhi for the swearing-in ceremony Sunday afternoon. Senior Sena MP Anandrao Adsul said in Mumbai…

  • Shiv Sena cool with Modi’s offer

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      The Shiv Sena is cool with the offer of two central berths in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s proposed expansion of his ministry in the next couple of days. Confirming the developments, a senior Sena leader said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was merely implementing its promise to induct two more (Sena) nominees in the…

  • Fadnavis takes charge of Maharashtra

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    Devendra Fadnavis was sworn in  as chief minister of Maharashtra’s first BJP government along with nine ministers, cheered by some 30,000 supporters at the Wankhede stadium and watched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, VIPs and celebrities. Governor C.V. Rao administered the oath of office and secrecy to Fadnavis, 44, and the ministers, including two women,…

  • Fadnavis to enter Mantralaya as CM

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    Devendra Fadnavis to be Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will be Maharashtra’s new chief minister following his election as the leader of the BJP legislature party. Home Minister Rajnath Singh and party leaders Rajiv Pratap Rudy, O.P. Mathur and J.P. Nadda were at the meeting where the newly elected 121 BJP legislators chose Fadnavis at…

  • Sena ready to back BJP-led coalition

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    The Shiv Sena may support a Bharatiya Janata Party-led government in Maharashtra, a top Sena leader said here . “The election results indicate that no single party can form the government. However, both (Shiv Sena, BJP) can come together for the purpose. This is the people’s mandate,” Shiv Sena parliamentarian and emissary Anil Desai told…

  • BJP pondering options in Maharashtra

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      The Bharatiya Janata Party appears in no hurry to form the next government in Maharashtra and the process may be initiated only early next week after the Diwali festival is over, party sources said here Tuesday. Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who as and party observer was expected to arrive in Mumbai along with senior…

  • Phone scheme financed Mumbai attack: NYT

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      Phone hackers in the US are bilking unsuspecting customers of billions of dollars every year through a scheme that was used to finance the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks, according to the New York Times. In 2011, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and police in the Philippines arrested four men who used the scheme to…

  • Maharashtra leaves BJP in a limbo

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      The BJP is caught in a cleft-stick, thanks to a fractured mandate in the Maharashtra assembly elections. With no political party securing clear majority, a period of political instability looms ahead in Maharashtra. Hectic politicking has started in the Shiv Sena and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the possibility of cobbling up a workable…

  • BJP short of majority in Maharashtra

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      The BJP asserted  that it was confident of forming a government in Maharashtra — for the first time. We will get the required majority” in the 288-member assembly, Bharatiya Janata Party leader and possible chief minister Devendra Fadnavis told the media. “We will form the government.” His comments came as the BJP and its…

  • Brisk polling in Maharashtra

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     Brisk polling was under way across Maharashtra, with people queuing at many polling stations since early . Voting started for the 288 Maharashtra assembly constituencies and the lone Lok Sabha by-elections for Beed parliamentary seat at 7 a.m. Wednesday amidst tight security. Among the early voters were former deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar and his…

  • Uddhav spills tea and end campaign

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    In the sharpest attack yet on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and erstwhile ally BJP, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray wondered if a “chaiwala” (tea-vendor) can become prime minister, why couldn’t he become the chief minister of Maharashtra. “If a ‘chaiwala’ can become the prime minister, I can definitely become the state chief minister,” Uddhav said…

  • Sena threatens to expose BJP ‘fraud’

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    A day ahead of the Maharashtra assembly elections, the Shiv Sena  threatened that it will expose the one-time close ally BJP’s “fraud” before the people of the state. “They (BJP) want to know who is our real enemy? The Congress and Nationalist Congress Party are like dead snakes and pose no threat to us. It…

  • Maharashtra will go BJP

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    By Quaid Najmi  A day before Maharashtra votes, BJP state president Devendra G. Fadnavis is supremely confident, saying his party is all set to capture power in the state for the first time. “There is no doubt in my mind that the BJP will form the next government in Maharashtra. We are 100 percent certain…

  • Bad and the ugly in Maharashtra polls

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    By Quaid Najmi  Criminals and moneybags account for a large chunk of the candidates fielded by the top five mainstream parties in the Oct 15 Maharashtra assembly elections, a survey by watchdog bodies has said. Of the 4,119 candidates, the Maharashtra Election Watch and Association for Democratic Reforms (MEW-ADR) analysed affidavits of 2,336 nominees –…

  • Rahul fires salvo at Modi

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    Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi entered the Maharashtra poll campaign Wednesday, targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP for their silence on China, Pakistan issues and anti-poor and anti-farmer stand. Addressing public rallies in Raigad and Latur districts, Gandhi lashed out at Modi for “sitting on swings” with Chinese President Xi Jingping when Chinese soldiers…

  • Modi praises Anil Ambani

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    Prime Minister Narendra Modi  praised Reliance Group chairman Anil Ambani for joining the “Swachh Bharat” campaign and hoped it will be an inspiration for others to emulate. “Wonderful effort by Shri Anil Ambani, who cleaned the area around Churchgate station in Mumbai along with his friends,” Modi tweeted. The prime minister said said Ambani had…

  • Mumbai will not be separated: Modi

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    Flatly rejecting allegations by various opposition parties, including former ally Shiv Sena, Prime Minister Narendra Modi  categorically ruled out separating Mumbai from Maharashtra or dividing the state. “I can assure you that till I am in Delhi, no power on earth can split Maharashtra or separate Mumbai from the state,” Modi asserted amidst a loud…

  • Sena attacks PM over remarks

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     A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he won’t criticise the Shiv Sena out of respect for its founder Bal Thackeray, the Sena Monday hit back, saying the “real tribute” to the late Thackeray would have been to continue with the BJP-Sena alliance. “We are happy to learn that he (Modi) has respect for…

  • SPECIAL REPORT: Maharashtra Elections

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    Amulya Ganguli says bitter battle on the cards in Maharashtra  This month’s assembly elections in Maharashtra may well prove to be one of the most acrimonious contests in recent memory.Since the parting of close associates invariably arouses considerable antagonism, there is nothing surprising about the present hostility between the Shiv Sena and the Bharatiya Janata…

  • Modi refuse to attack Sena in Mumbai

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      Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday attacked the Congress and NCP in Maharashtra but said he would not utter a word against estranged ally Shiv Sena. “Some newspapers have reported that the prime minister has criticized the Shiv Sena,” Modi told an election rally here. “This is the first election in the absence of Balasaheb…

  • President’s rule in Maharashtra

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      President’s rule was Sunday imposed in poll-bound Maharashtra. President’s rule has been imposed and the state assembly has been kept under suspended animation in Maharashtra, an official release said here. Elections to the 288-member Maharashtra assembly are slated for Oct 15. The decision to impose President’s rule was cleared by the union cabinet in…

  • Chavan quits as Maharashtra CM

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    A day after the NCP called off its alliance with the Congress in Maharashtra and withdrew from the government, Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan submitted his resignation to Governor C.V. Rao. The Nationalist Congress Party’s (NCP) move, which came weeks before the assembly elections slated Oct 15, had reduced the Congress-led Democratic Front government to…

  • Two political splits in one day

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    In a day of fast political developments, Maharashtra’s two main alliances – the BJP-Shiv Sena and the Congress-NCP – Thursday broke up over differences in seat sharing, setting the stage for multi-cornered contests in the Oct 15 assembly elections. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) called off its 15-year-old alliance with the Congress in the state,…

  • BJP-Sena marriage end in divorce

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      The Shiv Sena, in an edit in party mouthpiece ‘Saamana’ called its former ally of 25 years Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) a ‘crow’. In the edit, the Sena proclaimed itself as “the real protector of Maharasthra” through its army of Shiv Sainiks. “The alliance based on common Hindutva ideology has sadly collapsed… We tried…

  • BJP- Sena heading for divorce?

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      The BJP-Shiv Sena alliance in Maharashtra Monday again seemed to be headed for collapse as both sides stuck to hardened positions on seat-sharing and the chief ministerial candidate and BJP leaders indicated the party was prepared to go it alone for the Oct 15 assembly poll. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah asked…

  • Amit Shah calls Uddhav on seat sharing

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    BJP president Amit Shah Monday called Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and urged him to reconsider his stand on seat sharing in upcoming Maharashtra poll. The two parties, which have been alliance partners for nearly 25 years, hit a rough patch over seat sharing for Oct 15 Maharashtra assembly polls. Sources within the BJP said…

  • Sena tells Muslims not to let PM down

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      The Shiv Sena Monday urged Indian Muslims “not to let down” Prime Minister Narendra Modi after he praised the community for its patriotism and love for the country in an interview. “Modi has lauded Indian Muslims for their patriotism…He has initiated a new chapter by giving a guarantee of the community’s love for its motherland.…

  • BJP- Sena alliance on verge of collapse

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    The 25-year-old alliance between the BJP and the Shiv Sena was on the verge of collapse Friday with both parties adopting a tough stance on the issue of seat-sharing for the Oct 15 state assembly elections, party officials said. Both the warring partners are holding a series of crucial meetings during the day to take…