Congress veteran and ex-Union Minister Shivraj Patil’s daughter-in-law Archana Patil Chakurkar joined BJP on Saturday. Archana said she had made up her mind after the Central government brought women’s reservation bill. She was inducted in the presence of Maharashtra deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and other BJP workers in Mumbai. This comes after the exit of Basavraj Patil, a close aid of her father-in-law. The exits come as a fresh blow to Congress in Latur.

With Basavraj and Archana’s inductions, BJP aims to attract a large number of Lingayat votes in the Lok Sabha constituency. Archana Patil Chakurkar said Prime minister Narendra Modi has given due respect to women of this country through Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. She said the prime minister is working for welfare of people at bottom of the pyramid and she has decided to join him.

State BJP Chashekhar Bawankule was also present at Chakurkar’s induction into the party. Archana Patil is the chairperson of the Lifecare hospital and Research Centre in Udgir, and her husband, Shailesh Patil Chandurkar, is the Congress’s state secretary. Chakurkar had met Fadnavis at his official residence Sagar in south Mumbai on Friday.

 Shivraj Patil served as Union Home Minister under the Congress-led UPA government from 2004 to 2008. Meanwhile independent member of Parliament (MP) Navneet Rana joined the BJP in the presence of BJP state president Chandrashekhar Bawankule, in Nagpur. Naveneet Rana said for the last 5 years, she was working on the ideas of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, she said her ideology is no different.

She said MLA Ravi Rana also supported the BJP government in Maharashtra. She said Prime Minister Narendra Modi supported those working at the ground level and gave her a ticket. She said the BJP had honored her hard work and they will fulfill their resolve of crossing 400 by winning the election. Rana said she will work as a dedicated worker for the BJP.

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Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday asked Union Minister Nitin Gadkari to leave BJP if he was being insulted. He said the opposition in Maharashtra would ensure his victory in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Thackeray was speaking at the rally at Pusad in eastern Maharshtra’s Yavatmal district. He said people like Kripashankar Singh who were being targeted by BJP over alleged corruption was seen in BJP’s first list of candidates along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said Gadkari’s name was missing from the list.

Thackeray said he had told Gadkari 2 days ago to leave BJP and join Maha Vikas Aghadi if he is being insulted. He said the opposition in Maharashtra will ensure his victory. He added that Gadkari will be made a minister when Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP(SP) and Congress alliance comes to power in the state.

Earlier Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis responded to Thackeray’s offer to Nitin Gadkari to contest as a candidate of the opposition and said it was like a man on the street offering someone to make US President. Fadnavis added that Gadkari is a prominent leader of the BJP but the first list did not have his name from Maharashtra as seat sharing discussions between the BJP and its allies are not over.

Thackeray further added the notification of rules under the Citizenship Amendment Act is an election jumla. He said Parsis, Sikhs, Hindus and others coming to India from neighbouring countries are welcome but the timing of the notification comes just before the Lok Sabha elections.

He added it has been 4 years since Article 370 has been removed , but no elections have taken place in Jammu and Kashmir and the Kashmiri Pandits have not yet returned to their homes in the state. Thackeray added the BJP should bring back Kashmiri Pandits to the state and them move forward on the implementation of CAA.

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The Maharashtra Assembly unanimously passed a bill for separate 10% quota for the Maratha community on Tuesday. A bill that guarantees 10 % reservation in jobs and educational institutions to the Maratha community was passed. The Eknath Shinde government convened a one-day special session of the state legislature. The bill for 10% Maratha quota that the state government has approved today is similar to the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes Act, 2018, introduced by the then Devendra Fadnavis government.

This is the third time legislation has been introduced by the state government for Maratha quota. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said he is the chief minister of the state and he works with the blessings of all. He said his government does not differentiate on the basis of caste and religion. He said if such a situation arises with any other community his stand as CM will remain the same to what his stand is for the Maratha community.

He said India’s Prime Minister always says Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas. The Chief Minister said everyone has similar views here on Maratha reservation so he did not make any political statement there. He thanked everyone for their co-operation to pass the bill in the Maharashtra assembly. The Chief Minister said he had kept his promise which he made to the Maratha community.

He thanked all his colleagues and his deputy chief ministers. He said today is a day of fulfillment of promises. The decision to call a special session was instigated by Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil who is currently undertaking a hunger strike in Antarwaali Saarati village in Jalna district.

He has demanded Kunbi certificates for all Marathas and free education from kindergarten to postgraduate levels.His demands also include reservation of seats for Marathas in government jobs as well. The Maharshtra Backward Class Commission (MBCC) has presented a report to the Eknath Shinde government which is led by Chairman Justice (Retired) Sunil Shukre.

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Maharshtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde along with deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar paid tribute to Chhatrapathi Shivaji on his birth anniversary on Monday at Shivneri Fort in Pune. Maharastra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and two deputy CMs attended various programmes to mark the occasion, which also included the cradle ceremony at the fort. This day is celebrated as Shivaji Jayanti all over Maharashtra on two different dates every year- third day of Phalgun in the Samvat Hindu calendar, and February 19.

This day marks the birthday of the great Maratha Leader Shivaji I. He established Hindavi Swarajya. The warrior King Shivaji I was born at the Shivneri fort on the third day of the Krishna Paksha of the Phalgun month in the year 1551 of the Shalivahan Shaka. Chhatrapathi Shivaji, a great warrior King and was the founder of the Maratha Empire in the 17^th century.

He was born on Februray 19, 1630. He is remembered for his valour, military tactics, and administrative skills. He established a sovereign Maratha Kingdom in the face of the Mughal and Adil Shahi Sultanate empire. The celebration of Chhatrapathi Shivaji Jayanti marks as a reminder of the impact of the Maratha Empire on Indian society and culture.

Emperor Shivaji’s principles of leadership, courage and social justice continue to inspire generations of Indians. On Chhatrapathi Shivaji Jayanti various events and processions are organised which include cultural programs, exhibitions and seminars, where people gather to pay homage to his legacy and learn about his contribution to Indian history. This year India is celebrating the 394^th birth anniversary of the great Maratha ruler. The first celebrations of this festival started with the Maratha ruler Mahatma Phule in 1870 in Pune. These celebrations were taken forward by Bal Gangadhar Tilak.

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Former Congress leaders Ashok Chavan and Milind Deora as well as Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Praful Patel on Thursday filed nominations for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections from Maharashtra.

Earlier this week, the former Maharashtra CM Chavan joined the BJP, a day after quitting the Congress. Speaking after the nomination, Chavan extended his thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP president JP Nadda, and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis for their faith in him.

Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena leader Deora also filed his nomination papers in Mumbai today in the presence of Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde, Fadnavis and other party leaders.

Earlier, Deora also ended his 55-year-old relationship with Congress and joined Shinde Sena. Deora, the son of late Congress veteran leader Murli Deora, resigned from the party on January 14, alleging that it had deviated from its ideological and organisational roots.

Meanwhile, Deputy CM Ajit Pawar-led NCP leader Praful Patel filed his nomination papers for the Rajya Sabha elections. After filling the nomination, he praised Pawar for his leadership and other party leaders as well. He also expressed his confidence in the BJP-led NDA government returning to power.

Six Rajya Sabha seats from Maharashtra are up for elections as the terms of the sitting MPs will be expiring. The elections, which have been scheduled for February 27, are likely to go unopposed considering the strength of the ruling allies and the opposition Congress in the state assembly.

The BJP, which is part of the ruling Mahayuti coalition in Maharashtra, also fielded former MLA from Pune Medha Kulkarni, and Kar Sevak and RSS worker Ajit Gopchade, who has been associated with the party for the past several years.

On Wednesday, the former Congress president Sonia Gandhi filed her nomination papers for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections from Rajasthan.

In April, a total of 56 members of Rajya Sabha from 15 states, will be retiring. As per the official notice, the election to the seats will be held on February 27 and the last date for filing nominations is February 15.

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Former Maharashtra CM Ashok Chavan, who quit the Congress on Monday, became a member of the BJP on Tuesday at the party’s state headquarters in Mumbai. In the presence of Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrakant Bawankule and Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, Chavan joined the saffron party. 

Chavan might submit his nomination tomorrow and is expected to receive a Rajya Sabha ticket. The BJP is probably going to make an announcement this evening, a source said.

While taking the oath, Chavan said, today, he is going to join the BJP at its Mumbai office. He is starting a new political career today, he added.

When asked if he had heard from senior Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi or Rahul Gandhi, Chavan avoided answering.

The former chief minister insisted that he hasn’t asked any Congress leaders or supporters to accompany him on his BJP induction.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis said at a press conference that it is a matter of happiness that a senior Maharashtra leader, who has been elected to the Maharashtra Assembly and the Lok Sabha and has worked twice as CM, has joined the BJP.

However, the Opposition reacted sharply to Chavan’s departure as well. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray, claimed that the BJP is changing into a Congress occupied BJP. Thackeray expressed shock at Chavan’s resignation and emphasised the possible fallout for the welfare of state farmers should leaders put their own interests ahead of their constituents.

Ashok Chavan, the son of former Home Minister Shankarrao Chavan, was recently added to the Congress Working Committee (CWC). He served as the Lok Sabha representative for Nanded in 1987 and 2014. BJP’s Prataprao Patil Chikhalikar defeated him in the 2019 election. In 1999 and 2004, Mudkhed Assembly constituency went to Chavan, and later he won Bhokar in 2009 and 2019.

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Former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Congress leader Ashok Chavan resigned from the party on Monday, in another setback to the INDI alliance, months ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. This development comes days after senior Mumbai Congress Leaders Baba Siddiqui and Milind Deora quit the party.

Chavan handed his one-line resignation to Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee chief Nana Patole. He said he submitted his resignation from primary membership of the Indian National Congress Party with effect from noon on 12/02/2024. Chavan also sent his resignation as MLA to the Speaker.

Speaking to the media, Chavan said he tendered his resignation as MLA as well as from all posts in the Congress. He said he will decide what is to be done ahead in a couple of days. He said he had worked for the Congress all his life but now he is looking for options.

Reports suggest the BJP is likely to offer a Rajya Sabha seat to Chavan. Around 10-12 MLAs are also in touch with Chavan and are expected to switch sides shortly. BJP leader and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said in his reaction to the reaction to the resignation that one has to wait and watch what will happen next.

Fadnavis said he had heard about Ashok Chavan from the media. He said the only thing that he can say now is that many good leaders from Congress are in touch with the BJP. Fadnavis said those leaders who are connected with the masses are feeling an urge to leave the party.

Ashok Chavan served as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra from December 2008 to November 2010. He was considered an influential leader of the Congress in Maharashtra. He stepped down in 2010 over the Adarsh Society housing scam in Mumbai. Chavan was replaced by Prithviraj Chavan.

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After Maharashtra assembly speaker gave his verdict on Wednesday that the Eknath Shinde-led faction of the Shiv Sena was the real political party when rival groups emerged in June 2022. The Maharstra CM took to X (Formerly Twitter) and congratulated all the Shiv Sainiks of the state. He wrote democracy had once again won. He said all the voters who had voted for Shiv Sena-BJP alliance candidates in 2019 have won today.

Shinde said this was the victory of all the Shiv Sainiks who worked with the thoughts of the Hindu Emperor Balasaheb Thackeray. He wrote it has been proved once again that Dharamveer Anand Dighe’s Hindutva views. He said today’s victory is the victory of truth. Shinde hailed the victory as the victory of the Indian constitution and democracy. He said majority is always important in democracy.

He said the Election Commision has officially handed over the parent body of the Shiv Sena to them. The Maharshtra CM said the bow and arrows had been handed over to them. He said today’s victory has broken dynasty and dictatorship.

He said the judgement also holds that a party is not a private property. Shinde added that in a democracy political parties should be run democratically. The Chief Minister said this result is very progressive and holds political leaders accountable.

He said this decision respects the vote of the electorate. He said it also preserves its discretion in a democracy. Hs added this judgement has taught a lesson to leaders who commit the heinous crime of breaking ideas for power and those who make unnatural alliances and breaking the trust of the people.

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also took to X (Formerly Twitter) praised the chief minister and congratulated him on the judgement. He said under the leadership of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde legal and constitutional procedures were completely followed during the formation of the government.

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Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar said on Wednesday that Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena section was lawful since it had the backing of MLAs from the ruling party, which was a significant victory for Shinde.

Additionally, he decided that the Shinde faction MLAs cannot be removed from office since Sunil Prabhu, the Shiv Sena chief whip at the time, lacked the authority to call the legislature meeting.

The Speaker was deliberating over the 34 disqualification petitions from the opposing Shiv Sena groups, which he had separated into six categories.

Speaker Rahul Narwekar issued an order stating that the Shiv Sena’s 1999 constitution must be regarded as the Election Commission was not presented with the updated 2018 constitution. The Shiv Sena’s 1999 constitution eliminated the party chief’s ability to concentrate power. But the 2018 amendment to the constitution returned authority to the party leader.

Taking everything into consideration, the Speaker declared that Uddhav Thackrey, as the Shiv Sena pramukh (president), lacked the authority to remove Eknath Shinde as the head of the legislative party.

The verdict came out 18 months after the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government—which included the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Congress—was overthrown by Eknath Shinde and more than

After that, Eknath Shinde teamed up with the BJP to take over as Chief Minister, with Devendra Fadnavis serving as his deputy.

The Maharashtra Assembly Speaker received cross-petitions from the Shinde and Thackeray groups requesting legal action against one another under anti-defection statutes.

Speaker Rahul Narwekar was instructed by the Supreme Court in May 2023 to decide the pleas as soon as possible.

The division led by Thackeray was named the Shiv Sena (UBT) and had a burning torch as its symbol; the Shinde-led party was granted the name Shiv Sena and the symbol of a bow and arrow by the Election Commission.forty Shiv Sena MLAs following their rebellion against then-Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.

The NCP’s Ajit Pawar faction joined the Shinde-led government in July of last year. Ajit Pawar succeeded Devendra Fadnavis as the Deputy Chief Minister.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra will have assembly elections in the second half of 2024.

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Today is Ratan Tata’s 86th birthday as Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons. The philanthropist is renowned for having led the company to unprecedented heights after assuming the position of Chairman of the Tata Group in 1991. On social media, a number of people wished Tata a happy birthday.

Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis posted on X, the former Twitter platform, saying, Happy birthday to the legendary Shri Ratan Tata. He further said, may this day be a celebration of his remarkable journey, filled with cherished moments. “With utmost admiration for your invaluable contributions, wishing you a long life and good health,” Devendra Fadnavis said.

Another person remarked, he execute and think about it later if thats a right decision or not- Ratan Tata, happy birthday legend. A third person said, man with zero haters.

A fourth user took a long note to wish Ratan Tata to wish him on his birthday. He said, Happy birthday to the real son of the soil, Ratan Tata, sir.  Numerous people all throughout the world have been inspired by your extraordinary leadership, vision, and dedication to having a great influence.

The user also said, his legacy is proof of the strength of will, creativity, and kindness. He also wished for Ratan Tata a day full of happiness, introspection, and the warmth of people’s appreciation and gratitude for the amazing accomplishments you’ve made. “I’m wishing you well, joy, and more success in everything you do. To a living legend, cheers,” the user continued.

Ratan Tata, meantime, attended Cornell University at the age of seventeen to study engineering and architecture. In 1962, he joined the Tata group as an assistant in Tata Industries, where he completed a six-month training programme at the Tata Engineering and Locomotive Company’s Jamshedpur plant—now known as Tata Motors.

Later on, he worked at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Tisco, and Air India, where he held the position of Chairman from 1986 until 1989.

During the period of the Indian economy’s liberalisation, he started to restructure the Tata group. He was crucial to the commercial success of well-known automobiles like the Tata Nano and Tata Indica. In 2004, he facilitated the acquisition of Tetley by Tata Tea, Jaguar Land Rover by Tata Motors, and Corus by Tata Steel.

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