Political tensions rise in Maharashtra over Shivaji Jayanti celebrations
Mumbai: The Maharashtra government, backed by the NDA at the Centre, has planned large-scale celebrations for the 395th birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on February 19. The move is seen as an attempt to consolidate Maratha votes ahead of upcoming elections.
The BJP, which had earlier launched the campaign ‘Lenge Chhatrapati Shivaji Ka Ashirwad, Denge Modi Ko Saath’ after its split from Shiv Sena in 2014, is now organising ‘Jai Shivaji – Jai Bharat’ padayatra across the state. The main event in Pune will be attended by Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya, who has invited Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to join him at Shaniwar Wada.
A letter from the Union ministry has directed district collectors and sports department officers to ensure full participation of government officials, MPs, and MLAs. The event will begin at 7:30 am with a virtual address by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, followed by a 6km-long padayatra starting at 8 am. MYBharat volunteers, NSS, Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan units, and students have also been asked to participate, with an 11-page SOP issued for the event’s execution and promotion.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's faction of the NCP has announced ‘Swarajya Week’ from February 19-27. A grand rally from Dadar to Chembur will be led by party leaders, while Pawar will visit Shivneri Fort, state president Sunil Tatkare will be at Padmadurg Fort, and minister Aditi Tatkare will be at Raigad Fort.
The exclusion of Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena from the BJP’s plans has raised political eyebrows, with shifting alliances adding to the ongoing power struggle over Shivaji Maharaj’s legacy.
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Marxism will remain relevant despite Left electoral's losses, says general secretary M A Baby
New Delhi (PTI): CPI(M) General Secretary M A Baby on Thursday asserted that the Left movement would remain relevant despite not being in power in any state, saying the ideology would continue to endure as long as social and economic inequalities persist.
Hitting back at BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar over his reported remarks that Marxism had become irrelevant, Baby, in an interview with PTI Videos, said, "So long as there is division in society, so long as there is exploitation of the majority of workers, peasants and ordinary masses by a handful of billionaires, Marxism will remain relevant."
"That perhaps Mr Rajeev Chandrasekhar may not be able to understand, but this is the fact of the matter," he said.
Baby acknowledged that the CPI(M)-led Left was currently without an elected government in any state, but maintained that electoral setbacks would not diminish the movement's role.
"We may not have an elected government in any state. There were occasions when we didn't have a government. But the red flag and the commitment to organise and struggle for the rights of the dispossessed, marginalised and exploited will always be upheld by CPI(M) and the Left movement," he said.
He said the Left continued to enjoy support among workers, peasants, agricultural labourers, youth, students and women, and argued that the movement remained necessary because "oppression and assault" continued in society.
"So long as such problems exist in society, the red flag and the working class movement will continue to work among the masses," the Left leader said.
Exuding confidence on the Left's revival, Baby said the party would reflect on the reasons behind its electoral loss.
"We may be rejected in one election, but we will stage our comeback by understanding what went wrong with us," he said, adding, "We will listen to people and we will come back with higher strength."
Baby also criticised the Congress over reported factional tensions in Kerala after the Congress-led United Democratic Front's victory in the state.
"The way they are behaving is being watched by the people of Kerala," he said, referring to infighting within the Congress.
"Those who have given a massive majority to Congress and UDF would be watching all this," he added, while urging party leaders to "settle the problem in an amicable, democratic manner".
Referring to West Bengal, Baby alleged that violence had escalated following the BJP's victory in the state assembly polls.
"It is quite unfortunate that the moment BJP snatched a massive victory in West Bengal, violence has also started on a big scale," he said.
He also accused the Trinamool Congress of being "notorious for violent activities" and alleged that the "RSS-controlled BJP" had "unleashed violence in many places" after the election results.
"This is not good for Bengal, not good for the country. We wish and hope that normalcy would be restored as soon as possible," he said.
Baby said the CPI(M) and the Left in West Bengal would continue efforts to "pacify people" and avoid violence and confrontation.
Asked about former Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan not reacting publicly to the election results, Baby said Vijayan would respond "at an appropriate time".
