Aim must be to win all 48

Maha LS seats, Shah tells BJP workers, slams Uddhav

First India Bureau

eties, urban banks and district cooperative banks are concerned, a lot needs to be done. We had a series of meetings with the Reserve Bank of India and I can say about the issues that were brought before me here on this platform, we will ensure all these institutions do not face any injustice,” he added.

Talking further about the ongoing ‘bow and arrow’ issue in Maharashtra, Sharad Pawar termed the matter a “separate topic”.

Mumbai: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday set the BJP and its allies a target of winning all 48 seats in Maharashtra in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

Addressing a gathering of BJP workers in Kolhapur, he also lashed out at Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray for “surrendering at the feet of (Nationalist Party Congress chief) Sharad Pawar” to become chief minister.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah —FILE PHOTO

“By deceit you can attain power for few days, but when it comes to the battlefield, you need courage to win,” Shah said without naming Thackeray dress during an event in Maharashtra where he had pointed to the drop in the number of cooperative sugar mills in Maharashtra and the rise in the number of private ones.

Yesterday, Amit Shah was in the Cooperative Council, which was inaugurated by me on the day before yesterday(Friday). We have no differences on the issues raised by him, our policy issues were discussed, and the ones raised by him (Amit Shah’s) seemed appropriate.

“I will talk about Maharashtra since I am in Maharashtra. There

Shinde praises Modi, Shah for standing by his government

First India Bureau

Pune: Maharashtra

Chief Minister Eknath

Shinde showered praises on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for supporting him in forming the government and said that the Prime Minister has helped in the development of everyone in this country.

“At the time of the establishment of the government, PM Modi and Amit Shah said that we are with you. I remember the words of Amit bhai, who said, Shindeji, you move ahead, we are behind you like a rock,” said Eknath Shinde.

“Narendra Modi is the number one leader not only in the country but also in the world. I am fortunate that PM Modi’s blessings are with the state government,” added Shinde.

Speaking about the coalition with the BJP in the state, “What we did was right. We campaigned and fought the election together. However, the government was formed with someone else. Was it correct? No. That’s why we came back with the BJP.”

Talking about Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray, he said, “Balasaheb used to say that if he becomes the Prime Minister he would get Article 370 removed and would build the Ram temple.”

At the time of the establishment of the government, PM Modi and Amit Shah said that we are with you. I remember the words of Amit bhai, who said, Shindeji, you move ahead, we are behind you like a rock,” said Eknath Shinde. “Earlier, the poor were kept poor. Now Modiji has helped in the development of all.

—Eknath Shinde, Maharashtra Chief Minister

“His dreams are being fulfilled by Amit Shah under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he added.

“This country runs on the Constitution drafted by Babasaheb Ambedkar. We formed our government on the basis of that Constitution. The EC order that came today is on the basis of merit. I express my gratitude to the Election Commission,” he said.

were 202 cooperative sugar mills in Maharashtra. Today, the number is down to 101. There were 22 private sugar mills in the state, but this has now gone up to 93. They ate up our (cooperative) space.

The cooperative sector needs to introspect on

—Sharad Pawar, NCP chief why this is happening,” Shah said. Shah had further assured full support to the cooperative sector in the country from the Central government asserting that the former needs to introspect to improve its systems.

“As far as credit soci-

“I do not want to say anything about the issue of bow and arrow that is going on at present, that is a separate topic. I had already put my views on that the day before yesterday,” Pawar said today.

The day before yesterday on Friday, Sharad Pawar remarked on the loss of the “bow and arrow” symbol of his ally Uddhav Thackeray’s faction stating that it would not have any major impact.

Thackeray had broken the alliance with BJP after the 2019 Assembly poll results were declared claiming the latter had reneged on its promise to share the chief ministerial tenure with the Shiv Sena.

“In 2019, the BJP and its allies won 42 out of 48 seats. This time, we should win all 48 seats,” Shah told his party workers.

Attacking Thackeray, Shah said, “Hinduhriday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray’s Shiv Sena was surrendered at the feet of Sharad Pawar.

(Thackeray) contested Assembly elections with us with the largest cut-outs being that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. But after the results were out, he (Thackeray) surrendered at the feet of Pawar.”

“We are not greedy for power nor have we ever sacrificed our principles. The last Maharashtra assembly election was contested under the leadership of then chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. PM Modi and I had openly said this during our rallies. Despite this, (Thackeray) joined hands with the opposition,” he added. “By deceit you can attain power for few days, but when it comes to the battlefield, you need courage to win,” Shah said without naming Thackeray.

Nagpur: Devkinandan

Thakur Maharaj has made a statement that every Sanatani family should give birth to five to six children until the Population Control Act comes into effect in our country. Thakur Maharaj visited Nagpur to narrate the story of Shri Krishna. He also said that the population explosion in India is so big that no one can even think about it. No one talks about four wives and forty children, he said.

“My point is that until the Population Control Act is enforced, every Sanatani family should have more children. There used to be 5-6 children. For this, boys and girls should get married on time and also give birth to 5 to 6 children,” said Thakur Maharaj.

“Don’t you know if our country does not become a Hindu nation and follow orthodox religion in the next 10 years, what will happen in 25 years? Will this country remain secular after 25 years? What I have said will be understood only if you know the truth behind it. Do we have to think for the next generation or not?”, commented Thakur Maharaj. Devkinandan Thakur Maharaj has also demanded establishment

Maharaj has also demanded the establishment of Sanatan Mandal of Sanatan Mandal. “Today, there are Waqf Boards in many places. Therefore, Sanatan Board should be established. The central government should keep it under its supervision.

We are a minority in at least 9 states, but nobody calls us that,” he added.

“Our country believes in eternal traditions. We became secular 75 years ago, but Sanatan culture is not over. I had demanded that Sanatan Boards should be established 5 years ago. The board needs to ensure that Sanatan tradition is passed on,” he said.

Thackeray Throws The Gauntlet

First India Bureau Mumbai: NCP state president Jayant Patil commented on the decision of the Shinde faction getting the name and symbol of Shiv Sena. While speaking in Sangli during the inauguration of development works in various wards of the Municipal Corporation, Patil said that Uddhav Thackeray submitted documents to the EC, but still, the decision was given in favour of Shinde.

Patil said, “Times have changed, justice has changed. People are saying that those who are expected to give justice are blindfolded. Now, justice will have to go to the people’s court. The EC has given the verdict in favour of CM Shinde. Tomorrow, the

First India Bureau Mumbai: The Election Commission has decided to give Shiv Sena’s name and bow and arrow symbol to Eknath Shinde. After this, Uddhav Thackeray and his leaders are making strong accusations against BJP and Eknath Shinde. Due to this, the political atmosphere has become more heated in the state. In con- nection with the same, Uddhav Thackeray has given an open challenge to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and BJP on Sunday. While speaking at a gathering of North Indians, Uddhav said, “Yesterday they snatched my bow and arrow, now Prabhu Ramchandra himself has come with me. I don’t know whether to call this coincidence, but sometimes such things happen. I challenge those who have stolen my party’s name and bow and arrow that if you have the courage, face me with my stolen bow and arrow, let me come forward with my torch, and see what happens.”

“Today, I say that I am a Hindu, I have never left Hinduism and will never leave. I left BJP not Hindutva. BJP is

Supreme Court may say that since the party belongs to Shinde, there is no question of suspension.” not Hindutva, and their Hindutva is not our Hindutva. I say openly that it is not acceptable to us. What my father taught me is not Hinduism. In my father’s language, nationalism is our Hindutva. Our Hinduism is connected with the country, but their Hindutva says to fight among yourselves, fight in a family, fight in a party, and get power,” added Uddhav.

“The IT department took action against the office of the BBC channel as a videotape about Godhra massacre was shown by BBC. That means the action will be taken against those who speak against it. Citizens of India should be careful now,” urged Patil.