Ajit Pawar-led NCP faces major setback in Maharashtra as four key leaders resign
Pimpri-Chinchwad: In a significant setback to the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), four prominent leaders from its Pimpri-Chinchwad unit have resigned, signaling a potential shift towards the rival Sharad Pawar faction. The resignations come amidst the party's poor performance in the recent Lok Sabha elections and ahead of the crucial Maharashtra Assembly polls.
The resigning leaders include Ajit Gavahane, the unit chief of Pimpri-Chinchwad, along with Yash Sane, chief of the students' wing, and former corporators Rahul Bhosale and Pankaj Bhalekar. Sources indicate dissatisfaction over ticket allocations, particularly in the BJP-dominated Bhosari Assembly constituency.
Pimpri-Chinchwad, traditionally an NCP stronghold, adds significance to this development. In the Lok Sabha polls, the NCP, led by Ajit Pawar, managed only one seat, while the Sharad Pawar faction secured eight as part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition.
Speculation mounts about further defections from Ajit Pawar's camp to Sharad Pawar's faction, with reports suggesting discussions between NCP MLAs and senior leaders of the latter. This internal turbulence is compounded by indications that senior leader Chhagan Bhujbal may also consider leaving, following disagreements over recent party decisions.
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4 workers die after being buried under coal slurry in Jharkhand's Dhanbad
Dhanbad (Jharkhand) (PTI): At least four workers died after being buried under coal slurry in Jharkhand's Dhanbad district on Saturday, a police official said.
The incident took place at Moonidih coal washery in the command area of Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL).
"Bodies of all four workers were dug out of debris during a rescue operation," Putki police station in-charge Waqar Hussain told PTI.
The incident took place when coal slurry was being loaded into trucks by workers, during which a large chunk of slurry fell and trapped several workers underneath, officials said.
The deceased have been identified as Manik Bauri, Dinesh Bauri, Deepak Bauri, and Hemlal Gope.
Meanwhile, the family members of the deceased and local villagers placed the bodies in front of the washery gate and began a protest.
They demanded compensation, jobs for dependents and action against those responsible for the incident.
Police and administration officials are trying to pacify the protesters, an official said.
