Pro-Gaza candidates secure key victories in UK Elections
In a surprising turn of events, several independent candidates campaigning on pro-Gaza platforms have won significant victories in the recent UK elections, taking over several former Labour strongholds.
One of the most notable upsets occurred in Leicester South, where Shockat Adam unseated shadow minister Jonathan Ashworth. Adam secured his win by 979 votes and dedicated his victory to Gaza, emphasizing the influence of pro-Gaza sentiment in his constituency, where around 30% of the electorate are Muslim.
In Ilford North, shadow health secretary Wes Streeting saw his majority drastically reduced from over 9,000 to just 528 votes, nearly losing to independent candidate Leanne Mohamad, who is the granddaughter of Palestinian refugees.
Labour's performance was notably poor in areas with large Muslim populations. In Birmingham Perry Barr, Khalid Mahmood was defeated by independent Ayoub Khan by 507 votes. Dewsbury, Batley, and Blackburn, all previously held by Labour with substantial majorities, were also taken by independent candidates focusing on the Gaza issue.
In Leicester East, the Conservatives benefited from votes drawn by independent candidates, including the area's former Labour MP Claudia Webbe, an outspoken pro-Palestinian campaigner. The Tories won her former seat by 4,426 votes, with Webbe's vote count exceeding the margin of victory.
In other areas with significant Muslim populations, senior Labour figures narrowly retained their seats. Coventry South's newly elected Labour MP Zarah Sultana criticized her party's stance on Gaza, calling it a "stain on its record" and acknowledging the need for improvement.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer faced heckles of "Free Palestine" at his own count, where his majority was reduced, and pro-Gaza independent Andrew Feinstein came in second with 7,312 votes.
In Birmingham Ladywood, shadow justice secretary Shabana Mahmood held off independent candidate Akhmed Yakoob, though her majority fell from over 32,000 to 3,421. Similarly, Jess Phillips saw her majority slashed from 13,141 to 693 votes in a campaign she described as "the worst election I have ever stood in," citing intimidation against her activists.
In Bethnal Green and Stepney, shadow small business minister Rushnara Ali narrowly defeated independent Ajmal Masroor by 1,689 votes.
Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn retained his Islington North seat as an independent, beating the Labour candidate by more than 7,000 votes. Corbyn was suspended from the party over his response to a report on antisemitism within Labour.
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Have requested Amit Shah for CBI probe into Ajit Pawar's plane crash: Fadnavis
Mumbai (PTI): The Maharashtra government has requested Union Home Minister Amit Shah to order a CBI investigation into the plane crash that killed Deputy CM Ajit Pawar last month, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said.
The Mahayuti government will ensure that all doubts regarding the plane crash are cleared, Fadnavis said at a press conference on Sunday on the eve of the budget session of the Maharashtra legislature.
"I had received a letter from the NCP (an ally of the BJP) seeking a CBI probe into the air crash and spoke with Home Minister Amit Shah. Along with investigations by DGCA and state CID, there will be a probe by the CBI," he added.
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Ajit Pawar and four others onboard a chartered plane were killed when it crashed while attempting to land near Baramati in Pune district on January 28.
The late NCP chief's nephew and NCP (SP) leader Rohit Pawar has raised several allegations regarding the plane crash circumstances and suspected foul play.
On Saturday, Rohit Pawar wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding that Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu be asked to resign till the inquiry into the incident is completed.
He has also raised questions regarding the company VSR that owned the ill-fated Learjet 45 aircraft and its purported links with Naidu.
Fadnavis, meanwhile, added that the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) was conducting an audit of the VSR Company and all its logbooks were being checked.
"We have to wait for the probe report and avoid speculation. There may be doubts that have to be referred to the appropriate authority. We will also ensure a regular follow-up of the investigation. I feel the DGCA and civil aviation ministry have nothing to hide," he said.
Noting the probe is important for the safety of all political leaders, Fadnavis recalled that he had travelled on the VSR plane several times.
Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar, who was also present at the presser with Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, said, "We have requested a CBI probe into the air crash and the chief minister has assured a thorough investigation."
Fadnavis also took a swipe at the Opposition after leaders of the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) skipped the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) meeting on the eve of the state Budget session, which is likely to witness intense debates on Ajit Pawar's plane crash and other issues.
The Opposition boycotted the customary tea party hosted by Fadnavis, claiming the state government had not expressed any regret over the potential impact of the Indo-US trade deal on cotton growers and fisherfolk from Maharashtra.
