Shiv Sena (UBT) praises CM Fadnavis in Saamana editorial, sparks speculation of alliance
Mumbai: In an unexpected move, Saamana, the mouthpiece of Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT), praised Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in its Friday editorial. Titled "Congratulations Deva Bhau," the piece commended Fadnavis for his efforts in Gadchiroli, a district known for Naxal activity, following the surrender of 11 Naxalites, including key leader Tarakka.
The editorial lauded Fadnavis’s vision to transform Gadchiroli into a “Steel City” and inaugurate development projects in the region on New Year's Day. It urged the government to prioritise the welfare of tribal communities over the interests of mining corporations.
“If the current Chief Minister wants to give Gadchiroli a new identity of 'Steel City' instead of 'Naxalite district,' then he should be welcomed,” the editorial read. It also drew comparisons to previous leadership, alleging past efforts favoured mining tycoons over tribal development.
Reacting to the editorial, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut supported the appreciation of Fadnavis’s efforts. “If a district like Gadchiroli is developed, it benefits the entire state. We have criticised PM Modi in the past, but we also appreciate good initiatives. Fadnavis’s focus on Gadchiroli deserves recognition,” Raut said.
This development follows Uddhav Thackeray’s recent meeting with Fadnavis, fuelling speculation about a possible alliance. Shiv Sena (UBT) had parted ways with the BJP after the 2019 assembly polls and allied with Congress and NCP. However, the party suffered a split in 2022 when Eknath Shinde, backed by 39 MLAs, joined the NDA, leading to Thackeray’s resignation as Chief Minister.
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Sunil Gavaskar upset after not being invited to present BGT with Allan Border
Sydney, Jan 5: The legendary Sunil Gavaskar on Sunday expressed his displeasure after not being invited to present the trophy, named after him and Allan Border, to Australia following their win over India in the high-voltage five-match rubber.
Australia reclaimed the Border-Gavaskar trophy after 10 years with a six-wicket win over India in the fifth and final Test.
Border presented the trophy to the home team but Gavaskar, despite being at the venue at the same time, was inexplicably ignored.
"I certainly would have loved to have been there for the presentation. After all it is the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and it is about Australia and India," Gavaskar was quoted as saying by Code Sports.
"I mean, I am here on the ground. To me it should not matter that Australia won when it comes to the presentation. They played better cricket so they won. That's fine."
"Just because I am an Indian. I would have been happy to present the trophy with my good friend Allan Border," he added.
Had the Indian team won the trophy, Gavaskar would have been invited to present it to the victorious side.
Cricket Australia (CA) later confirmed that Gavaskar was aware he would have presented the award to Indian captain Jasprit Bumrah if the tourists had won the Sydney Test and retained the trophy.
"We acknowledge it would have been preferable if both Allan Border and Sunil Gavaskar had been asked to go on stage," a CA spokesperson said in a statement.
Both India and Australia have been competing for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy since 1996-1997 and the rivalry has grown to become one of the biggest in Test cricket.
The five-match series that Australia won drew record crowds at multiple venues and broke an 87-year-old attendance record at the Melbourne Cricket Ground last week.
