Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday unveiled his party’s manifesto for the Maharashtra Assembly elections, assuring free education for male students, stabilising prices of essential items and scrapping of the Dharavi redevelopment project.

Speaking on the occasion, Thackeray said he presented his party’s promises to the public about what will be done after the Maha Vikas Aghadi consists of the Congress, NCP (SP), and Shiv Sena (UBT) government comes to power and “how we will serve the people”.

“We do what we say. We have fulfilled many promises and even today whatever promises we have made, we will fulfill them after getting the blessings of the people,” he said.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) chief said most of the election promises are part of the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi’s (MVA) overall assurances, but there are some points that need special attention.

The MVA also launched its manifesto for the November 20 state Assembly polls, he said.

Thackeray assured that the way female students in the state were getting free education under a government policy, it would be implemented for male students as well if the MVA comes to power.

Thackeray said if the MVA comes to power, it will scrap cluster development of Koliwadas and Gaothans and it will be done after taking the residents into confidence. The Sena (UBT) head also said his party will work towards creating jobs. The MVA will also keep stable the prices of essential commodities, he said.

On the Dharavi redevelopment project, the former chief minister said it will be scrapped as the project will have ramifications on Mumbai.

Maharashtra and Mumbai will also have a housing policy keeping the rapid urbanisation in mind, he said.

A day after Donald Trump secured victory in the US election, PM Narendra Modi and the President elect have reaffirmed their commitment to working together to further boost ties across a range of sectors.

Issuing a statement on the phone conversation PM Modi had with US President elect Trump a day ago, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the Prime Minister highlighted that the US leader’s spectacular and resounding victory in the election reflected the deep trust of the American people in his leadership and vision.

The statement added that PM Modi warmly congratulated him on his re-election as the president of the United States of America as well as the Republican Party’s success in the Congressional elections. It further mentioned that both the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to working together to strengthen bilateral ties across technology, defence, energy, space and several other sectors.

The MEA said PM Modi and Donald Trump also echoed the importance of the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership for the benefit of the people of the two countries as well as for global peace and stability. It continued that reflecting on the positive momentum of the India-US partnership during President Trump’s first term, the Prime Minister recalled their memorable interactions, including the Howdy Modi event in Houston in September 2019 and the Namaste Trump event in Ahmedabad during President Trump’s visit to India in February 2020.

Earlier on Wednesday, PM Modi took to X to share that he had a great conversation with his friend Donald Trump. He added that they are looking forward to working closely together once again to further strengthen India-US relations across technology, defence, energy, space and multiple other sectors.

Donald Trump, 78, won the race to the White House to become the 47th President of the US, trouncing his Democratic rival Kamala Harris. He had earlier served as the 45th President of the US, after his first victory in the election in 2016.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday warned against borderless and invisible terror threats and stressed the need for cutting-edge technology to deal with them effectively.

Speaking at the inaugural session of the Anti-Terror Conference 2024, Shah said that while law and order are state subjects, terrorism doesn’t have any territorial boundary, and so all security agencies, including the central and state agencies, must work in close coordination, devise joint strategies, and share intelligence.

He added that security forces have to train young officers and use technology to combat terrorism.

“The terrorist attacks and their conspiracy are against us in a borderless and invisible manner. If we have to deal with it accurately, then our young officers will have to be equipped with the highest technology, they will have to be trained. We will make it an important part of the training in the coming days,” Shah said.

In order to combat terrorism, Shah said, the Ministry of Home Affairs is taking the next step in its proactive approach. He also said that the Ministry will come up with a National Counter Terrorism Policy and Strategy.

The Union Home Minister said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism is now accepted globally and the country has built a strong ecosystem to deal with it.

Since independence 36,468 police personnel have sacrificed their lives to maintain the internal security and security of the borders of the country, he said. “I want to pay tribute to all of them today for their spirit of making the supreme sacrifice and also thank their families on behalf of the country,” he added.

“Within 10 years after Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister of the country, the Government of India followed a solid strategy against terrorism. His slogan of zero tolerance against terrorism has been accepted not only by India but the entire world today. A strong ecosystem to fight against terrorism has been created within India,” Shah said.