BJP minister Ganesh Naik to hold 'janata darbar' in Shinde's stronghold Thane
Thane, Feb 23 (PTI): Maharashtra Forest Minister and BJP leader Ganesh Naik will on Monday hold a 'janata darbar' in Thane, a stronghold of Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena president Eknath Shinde.
Naik, guardian minister for neighbouring Palghar district, last month said he would be holding public grievance meetings in Thane too, triggering speculation that the BJP was preparing to challenge the dominance of ally Shinde's party in the area.
Notably, the BJP leader had initiated the 'janata darbar' (public hearing) concept in the state in 1990s, connecting people with the administration to address grievances.
On February 3, Naik addressed a 'janata darbar' at Vashi in Navi Mumbai township of Thane district and on February 21 in Palghar district.
Large hoardings have now been put up for Naik's janata darbar to be held near the collector's office in Thane city on Monday, which is being seen in some political circles as a direct challenge to the Shiv Sena's influence in the area.
Earlier, when asked about political implications of such an event, Naik had said the sole purpose of the 'janata darbar' was to resolve public's grievances.
Ganesh Naik's son and former MP Sanjeev Naik, has held multiple meetings with Thane BJP leaders to oversee preparations for the event.
During his visit to the venue on Saturday, Sanjeev Naik dismissed the speculation of his father's event challenging the dominance of ally Shiv Sena, and said such "baseless rumours" were being spread by opponents.
He reiterated that the ruling Mahayuti alliance, comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar's NCP, remains strong and united.
Sanjeev Naik emphasised that the event is being held under the directions of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to all ministers in the state to hold 'janata darbar' at different places.
"The idea is to bring governance closer to the people. Instead of 5,000 persons travelling to Mantralaya (state secretariat) to get their grievances addressed, the minister will meet them locally and resolve their issues," he told reporters.
On the issue issue of illegal constructions in Thane, the former MP blamed the administrative negligence for the proliferation of unauthorised buildings and said the government would take necessary legal action to address the issue while ensuring people's concerns are taken into account.
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Bengal police examining CCTV footage, multiple teams set up to trace killers of Suvendu's aide
Kolkata (PTI): West Bengal Police are examining CCTV footage and have formed multiple teams to trace the men involved in the killing of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari’s close aide Chandranath Rath, a senior officer said on Thursday.
Police are also probing whether contract killers were engaged in the murder of Rath, who was shot dead in North 24 Parganas district on Wednesday night.
A forensic team visited the spot on Thursday morning and collected samples, while officers of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) also joined the probe, he said.
"Going by the circumstantial evidence, it seems that the murder was pre-planned. Investigators are examining CCTV footage from the crime spot and nearby areas, while multiple police teams have been formed to trace the assailants," the officer said.
Police, however, are yet to make any arrests in connection with the crime.
According to preliminary information, Rath's car was intercepted near Doharia between Doltala and Madhyamgram Chowmatha around 10.15 pm on Wednesday by motorcycle-borne men who opened fire before fleeing.
"A detailed investigation has begun. We are pursuing several leads," the officer said.
Rath, 42, was returning to his residence in Madhyamgram from Kolkata when the incident occurred, he said. The deceased is survived by his son and wife.
The vehicle was being driven by Buddhadeb Bera, who also sustained bullet injuries and is undergoing treatment at a hospital in Kolkata, another officer said.
Bera, who underwent a couple of surgeries, remained "very critical", sources in the hospital said.
Preliminary findings suggested that the assailants intercepted Rath's vehicle in a coordinated manner before firing multiple rounds from close range, the officer said.
Investigators claimed the vehicle carrying Rath was first blocked near Doharia junction by a small four-wheeler, after which a motorcycle rider approached Rath's car and started firing from close range.
"Rath’s car was intercepted around 100 metres from the housing complex where he lived. The small car came in front of his vehicle, slowing down its pace, and it seems that was when the killers shot him," the officer said.
The occupants of the small four-wheeler later abandoned the vehicle and escaped on motorcycles, police said.
Police suspected that the killers fled on two motorcycles in two directions.
"One probably took the main road towards Jessore Road, while the other took a narrow street on the left leading to Rajarhat," the officer said.
Another police officer said CCTV footage showed the car travelling towards Madhyamgram before the attack.
Investigators said they are taking help from both Kolkata Police and Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate to check CCTV footage installed under their respective jurisdictions and study the movement of the killers.
"The number plate attached to the small car left by the assailants was found to be fake. It belongs to a person based in Siliguri, who works in a tea estate. The chassis number and engine number of the small car have been erased. It indicates that they had planned the murder," he said.
The person, in Siliguri, is being interrogated by Mothabari police, he added.
"He is claiming to have uploaded a photograph of his vehicle on an online platform with the intention of selling it. We are verifying his claims and rechecking them," the officer said.
"We have recovered empty cartridges and live ammunition from the crime spot. At this stage, the motive behind the attack is not clear," the DGP said.
Police suspect the use of sophisticated firearms during the attack.
On Thursday, police recovered a bullet shell from the streets approaching Rath's residence, the sleuth said.
According to preliminary forensic inputs, the assailants might have used Glock 47X pistols, he said.
"A weapon of this nature is generally not used by ordinary criminals. We are examining whether professional shooters were involved," a senior West Bengal Police officer said on condition of anonymity.
Meanwhile, one of the locals claimed to have seen three people on a bike "waiting" on the streets last night.
He also said that they had little clue about Rath's association with Adhikari.
"We did not know much about Rath. Whether he was an aide of Adhikari was not known to us. He used to return home in the same car with a West Bengal Assembly sticker at the same time everyday," the local resident claimed.
