More opposition MPs in touch with BJP; 'our tally will rise soon', claims Maharashtra minister
Mumbai, Jul 20 (PTI): Maharashtra Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan on Sunday claimed that some MPs in the opposition camp, particularly those belonging to Shiv Sena (UBT), are in contact with the BJP and hinted that the party's tally in Parliament will rise in the coming days.
"The number of MPs of the BJP will increase further. Earlier, four MPs were in touch with us; now three more are likely to join. These MPs belong to various parties, but a majority are from the UBT faction of Shiv Sena," Mahajan told reporters after taking darshan at the famous Pandharpur temple in Solapur district.
In a swipe at Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, the BJP leader said the "Thackeray brand" has lost its relevance in Maharashtra.
In an interview with "Saamana" executive editor Sanjay Raut, Uddhav has stated that Thackeray is not just a brand, but an identity of Maharashtra, Marathi manoos and Hindu pride.
"The Thackeray brand has lost relevance a log time ago. Balasaheb Thackeray was the leader of the real Shiv Sena, but the situation changed after Uddhav Thackeray allied with the Congress in 2019. He abandoned Balasaheb’s ideology. That’s when the Thackeray brand ceased to exist,” Mahajan said.
Reacting to claims made by some opposition leaders that the previous Eknath Shinde-led government was formed due to certain "CDs", Mahajan criticised the Congress leadership, particularly former state unit chief Nana Patole.
"There is a lot of random shooting in the air. They keep talking about some CD from Nashik, or some pen drive. If you have something concrete, submit it to the Speaker (of the Assembly). What is the use of making statements without showing evidence? Anyone can say anything,” he said.
Asked about the recent meeting between Uddhav Thackeray and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in the Assembly premises, Mahajan downplayed the political speculation around it.
"Two leaders met during the legislature session, had some light conversation, and that’s about it. There’s no need for bitterness all the time or making negative remarks,” he said.
Patole had alleged a "honeytrap" scandal involving state officials posted in Thane, Nashik and the Mantralaya (secretariat) in Mumbai.
Reacting to the charge, Fadnavis told the legislative assembly on Friday that no case of blackmailing through honeytraps has come to light in the state.
A woman had lodged a complaint in Nashik, but later it was withdrawn, said Fadnavis, who handles the home portfolio.
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Mamata visits Bhabanipur EVM strong room, warns against counting irregularities
Kolkata (PTI): West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee early Friday warned against any attempt to tamper with the counting process, hours after she visited an EVM strong room in Bhabanipur, alleging possible malpractice.
Banerjee, who emerged around 12:07 am after spending nearly four hours at the counting centre for her Bhabanipur constituency housed in Sakhawat Memorial School in south Kolkata, said only one person would be allowed inside the designated counting area.
"Either the candidate or one agent can stay upstairs. I have also suggested installation of a CCTV camera for the media," she told reporters.
Stressing the need for transparency, she said, "It is essential to maintain transparency. People’s votes must be protected. I rushed here after receiving complaints. The central forces initially did not allow me to enter."
Sounding a stern note ahead of the May 4 counting, she added, "If there is any plan to tamper with the counting process, it will not be tolerated."
On Thursday evening, Banerjee had reached the Bhabanipur Assembly segment counting centre, which houses the strong room for EVMs used in the April 29 polling, citing suspicion of tampering with the machines.
She entered the premises along with her election agent and remained inside for hours, even as Kolkata Mayor and TMC candidate from the Kolkata Port segment Firhad Hakim reached the spot but could not meet her.
"I reached here upon learning that the chief minister has arrived. But I couldn’t meet her since she was already inside the premises, exercising her right as a candidate to visit strong rooms. I wasn’t allowed there. I will not be able to confirm what exactly is transpiring inside," Hakim said.
The development coincided with protests by TMC candidates Kunal Ghosh and Shashi Panja outside the Khudiram Anushilan Kendra in north Kolkata, where they staged a sit-in alleging irregularities and possible tampering of EVMs stored in strong rooms, leading to face-offs between TMC and BJP supporters.
Earlier in a video message, Banerjee had urged party leaders, workers and polling agents to maintain a 24-hour vigil on EVM strong rooms, alleging that the BJP could attempt to tamper with the machines before counting begins.
Her remarks come amid heightened political tension in the state following a fiercely contested Assembly election, with parties closely monitoring arrangements and raising concerns over transparency.
