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Sunni Waqf Board will not file review petition against Ayodhya Verdict, to decide on land offer later

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Sunni Waqf Board will not file review petition against Ayodhya Verdict, to decide on land offer later

The Sunni Waqf Board has decided to not file a review petition against the Ayodhya verdict pronounced by the Supreme Court earlier this month.

Finally putting an end to the decades-long dispute, the apex court had ordered in favour of the Hindu litigant parties, granting the Ram Janmabhoomi site to the trust to be appointed by the central government for the building of a Ram Temple.


The Sunni Waqf Board had held its meeting today at Lucknow to decide on important issues and future course of action after the verdict. The decision was reportedly taken after much deliberation and with a 6:1 majority.

Chairman Zafar Farooqi had earlier stated that he does not wish to file a review petition.

In a historic move, the Supreme Court had on November 9, 2019, given its verdict in the long-awaited title case of Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, ruling unanimously that a temple be constructed at the Ram Janmabhoomi site.

The Apex court had also ordered the union government to provide 5 acres of land at an alternate site at a prominent location in Ayodhya to the Sunni Waqf Board as a compensation.

The Sunni Central Waqf Board was also to discuss whether to accept the 5 acres land to be offered by the government or not. As per reports, the board has put off the discussion and has stated that they will deliberate it after the land options are provided by the government.

Following the verdict, many prominent Muslims welcomed the Supreme Court’s verdict, while several others expressed strong disapproval of the same. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi couldn’t stomach the fact that the court has finally ordered the construction of a Ram Temple at the Ram Janmabhoomi site where the Mughals had destroyed a previously existing temple.

With the aim of whipping up a frenzy among Muslims of India, Asaduddin Owaisi continued his harangue against the verdict saying, “I want my masjid back”. Many other ‘liberal-secular’ elements had also exhorted the principal litigant Sunni Waqf Board to file a review petition.

Bihar: Violent uproar over gang-rape of a minor girl, police arrest accused Arbaaz and Sonu while 2 others Kalam and Sikandar still on the run

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Bihar: Violent uproar over gang-rape of a minor girl, police arrest accused Arbaaz and Sonu while 2 others Kalam and Sikandar still on the run

A  viral video of a minor girl being raped by 4 men sparked off widespread protests on the streets of Bihar’s Kaimur on November 25, 2019. An angry mob of people frantically ransacked shops, threw stones and indulged in arson in the town of Mohini protesting against the gang-rape. A half a dozen bikes, a kiosk and two slum shops were engulfed in fire in the ensuing melee. The situation became so critical that within five minutes the shutters of all the shops in the market were closed.

As per the sources, the protesters hit the streets with the aim of burning down the house of the rape accused. However, police intervened and dispersed the crowd. Internet services were snapped in Kaimur in order to preclude the situation from sliding into further chaos. According to the order issued by the state Home Department, Internet services will remain closed in the district from 25 to 26 November.

Two arrests have been made in the case thus far. The police have arrested Arbaaz and Sonu while the other two accused-Kalam and Sikandar were still on the lam. The STF team from Patna is conducting raids in collaboration with the local police to identify their whereabouts and arrest them. The rumour that the victim has committed suicide after the gang-rape only served to increase public rage.

The accused Mohammad Arbaaz lured a minor girl on the pretext of marrying her and then raped her along with 3 of his friends. Not only this, the entire incident was recorded on mobile by the accused and later made it viral on social media.

The matter drew attention after the video of the gang-rape went viral on Sunday. In the viral video, it was seen that some boys in a car were brutally raping a minor girl. After this, on Sunday, the victim reached the women’s station located in Bhabua and lodged an FIR against the four boys of Mohania.

The girl told that Arbaaz met her on her daily commutation from coaching classes. She was reportedly entrapped by him. The girl asserted that she was being sexually assaulted by him from the last 5 months on the pretext of marriage. On Tuesday (November 19, 2019) the victim was called by Kalam near Mundeshwari Gate in Mohania. Arbaaz and his companions were already present there in a car. As soon as the girl arrived, she was pulled into the car. When the girl protested, she was gagged and tied and taken to the Ratwar river, where she was gang-raped by the accused.

Bangladeshi national arrested in Kolkata after stealing around Rs 2 crores from businessmen over several months

OpIndia Staff
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Bangladeshi national arrested in Kolkata after stealing around Rs 2 crores from businessmen over several months

A Bangladeshi national has been arrested in Kolkata after stealing money from businessmen in several markets of the city over the last several months. Salim Mohammad was finally arrested by Kolkata police after he was caught on CCTV exchanging a money-filled bag with a similar-looking bag. He was arrested on Sunday near the SS Hogg Market, popularly known as the New Market in Kolkata.

Kolkata police had received several complaints of bag-lifting from Burrabazar, New Market and other market areas in last several months, and it is suspected that Salim was behind them. After this, the police started monitoring the CCTV footage, and in two separate incidents of the person targeting unsuspecting businessmen was seen a few days ago. After that, he was tracked down to a hotel in Bowbazar area in Kolkata.

Also Read: Five convicted Bangladeshi nationals set to be deported to their country from Assam

According to police sources, Salim Mohammad has stolen around Rs 2 crores over the last six months from several busy market areas in Kolkata city. He used to monitor the movements of shopkeepers in the evening at the time of closing the shops for his operation. After identifying a target shopkeeper who carries the day’s cash collection in a bag, he would wait near the shop at the time of closing, and the moment shopkeeper gets distracted by some reason, he would immediately steal the bag. Sometimes he used to arrange a similar-looking bag to replace the money-filled bag so that the businessmen will not realise immediately that he has been robbed.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFhRhlRCHkQ]

Salim Mohammad is a resident of Narayanganj in Dhaka, and he had stayed in several hotels in Kolkata showing passport and visa. Despite having the documents, he had entered India illegally, although it is not clear whether his passport and visa are valid or not. He had sent the robbed money to Bangladesh using money transfer services. Several lakhs of rupees were recovered from Salim at the time of his arrest. According to police, Salim has stolen more than 40 bags filled with money in the last 6 months.

Salim Mohammad was produced at the Bankshall court in Kolkata on Monday, and the court sent him to police custody till 30th November. A police investigation is on to find out whether he worked alone or is he part of a larger gang.

Pakistan Supreme Court suspends notification extending General Bajwa’s tenure as COAS

OpIndia Staff
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Pakistan Supreme Court suspends notification extending General Bajwa’s tenure as COAS

Pakistan Supreme Court today suspended the notification which had confirmed the three-year extension of General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff (COAS). In August this year, a notification issued by Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s office had extended his tenure “in view of regional security environment”.

General Bajwa is due to retire on 29th November. The Court issued notices to Pakistan’s defence ministry, federal government as well as General Bajwa. The hearing will now take place on Wednesday, 27th November. The Pakistan Supreme Court said that the tenure of COAS can be extended only by the President and not the Prime Minister. While Pakistan’s Attorney General said that General Bajwa’s tenure was extended after President’s approval, Pakistan Supreme Court observed that only 11 out of 25 cabinet members had approved the extension.

Read: Meet General Bajwa: The Pakistani Army Chief who awarded himself a three-year extension at his job

Last week, a plea was filed against General Bajwa for serving the top post in Pakistan despite being an Ahmadi Muslim. Former Major Khalid Shah had filed a petition in Peshawar High Court alleging that Bajwa belonged to Qadiani community aka Ahmadi Muslims who are declared as ‘non-Muslims’ in Pakistan. The plea had also named former ISI DG Rizwan Akhtar for ‘failing his duty as a Muslim’ for not informing the government that Bajwa is ‘not a Muslim’.

Partying then, silent now: How Rahul Gandhi continues to insult the victims of 26/11 carnage

OpIndia Staff
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Partying then, silent now: How Rahul Gandhi continues to insult the victims of 26/11 carnage

On 26th November 2008, 10 terrorists from Pakistan had held the country to ransom for 4 long, un-ending days. Shooting and bombing several locations in the financial capital of India, Mumbai, the terrorists left a trail of blood. Between 26/11 and 29th November 2008, at least 174 people were killed (the numbers are suspected to be far more) and 300 people were injured. While the country remembers 26/11 in horror and mourns the trail of dead bodies, Rahul Gandhi has maintained a stoic silence.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembered the victims of the carnage while addressing both Houses of Parliament on Constitution Day, he said that while November 26 is a happy occasion as India celebrates Constitution Day, it is also a reminder of the Mumbai terror attacks of November 26, 2008. “I pay tributes to those killed in the Mumbai terror attacks,” he said.

In fact, even the Congress party Twitter handle tweeted remembering the terror attack. Congress tweeted, “Today as we pay our respects to the victims & martyrs of the deadly Mumbai attack on 26th November 2008, we remember the strength & unity of our people that helped our nation get through this difficult period. It is a true testament to what we can achieve when we come together”.

However, Rahul Gandhi, the part-time politician and the crowned prince of the Congress party has maintained silence. He is yet to make any statement too the media or on his Twitter handle, which is otherwise rather active, remembering the carnage that was unleashed by Pakistan or the victims that fell to the terror.

Read: ‘The party chose to pander to Muslim fears’: Wikileaks cable on Congress’ dangerous politics over 26/11 terror attack

The last tweet from Rahul Gandhi’s Twitter handle was at 10:40 AM where he wished the nation on Constitution Day.


So while his Twitter account is active, not one tweet or statement has been made by the part-time politician.

Rahul Gandhi’s conduct, however insensitive, is not surprising. While citizens of India were being slaughtered by Pakistani terrorists, Rahul Gandhi was partying.

India Today news

Rahul Gandhi was partying in the outskirts of Delhi at the ‘sangeet’ for the wedding of Samir Sharma, his childhood friend. They were at a sprawling farmhouse at Radhey Mohan Chowk.

Read: Tales of betrayal and Congress’ insensitivity as the 26/11 terror attack left 166 dead

According to India Today’s 2008 article, “Saturday night’s ‘sangeet’ was a lavish affair. It was hosted by Leena Musafir, sister of the woman with whom Samir is getting married, and her husband Inder. The party was attended by over 800 guests, including regulars at Page 3 dos. “When everyone is cancelling parties or just keeping them low-key, Rahul Gandhi had no business to be celebrating. His action makes us lose faith in future leaders,” said Ajay Bahl, a leading corporate lawyer who was trapped in the thick of the action on 26/11 at The Oberoi, Mumbai, but managed to escape with the help of the hotel staff. The Gandhis, including Sonia Gandhi’s mother Paola Maino, were present in strength at the 2004 wedding of Samir’s sister, Sarika, who is married to actor turned- TV producer Rahul Bhatt. Sarika and Rahul now manage a television production house”.

With the kind of insensitivity that Rahul Gandhi displayed even as the 26/11 siege was on-going, it is not surprising that 11 years on, he would pretend like the carnage did not even take place. That though he aspires to be a serious leader, he doesn’t really care about extending a word of support to the country while they remember the horror that Pakistan unleashed.

Uttar Pradesh: Congress party expels 11 senior leaders, including Indira Gandhi’s trusted aide, on charges of ‘indiscipline’

OpIndia Staff
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Uttar Pradesh: Congress party expels 11 senior leaders, including Indira Gandhi’s trusted aide, on charges of ‘indiscipline’

The internecine conflict within Uttar Pradesh Congress has come out in open as the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee(UPCC) on Sunday ousted 11 veteran leaders including former ministers. One of the expelled leaders, Ram Krishna Dwivedi, 87, once a trusted aide of former Indian PM Indira Gandhi, was unceremoniously suspended from the party for 6 years.

Reports say that the veterans have been expelled from the part under Priyanka Gandhi’s orders.

The expelled leaders have been accused of publicly lambasting the top leadership for its decisions concerning the overhaul of the UPCC, holding separate meetings and unilaterally interacting with media to tarnish the party’s image.

A statement issued by the Congress party announcing the expulsion of 11 leaders said that the concerned personalities indulged in anti-party activities, convening independent meetings and opposing the decisions taken by the party leadership.

The leaders who were expelled included Santosh Singh (former MP), Siraj Mehndi (former MLC), Ramakrishna Dwivedi (former home minister, UP), Satyadev Tripathi (former minister), Rajendra Singh Solanki (member AICC), Bhudhar Narayan Mishra (former MLA), Hafiz Mohammad Omar (former MLA), Vinod Chaudhary (former MLA), Nekchandra Pandey (former MLA), Swayam Prakash Goswami (former Speaker, Youth Congress), and Sanjeev Singh (former Congress district President Gorakhpur).

The leaders were earlier issued a notice by the UPCC over ‘indiscipline’. According to the sources, senior Congress leaders were upset with Priyanka Gandhi’s decision to replace old guards with young faces in the state organisation. Some veteran leaders have also objected to the appointment of Ajay Lallu as the state Congress chief.

Addressing a press conference, the senior leaders lamented that they are being sidelined while efforts are being made to sabotage the party’s organisation in UP. Former minister Ramkirshna Dwivedi said, “As per the party’s constitution, our suspension for 6 years is unlawful and condemning. We are AICC members and any decision regarding expelling us can only be taken by the central disciplinary committee. Priyanka is our leader but she even cannot order the UPCC for any action against us.”

Once amongst the most trusted men of Indira Gandhi when she served as Prime Minister, Dwivedi had pulled off a surprising victory by defeating the chief minister in a byelection in 1971. Against formidable odds, Dwivedi had scored an unlikely win against Tribhuvan Narain Singh in a byelection from Maniram Assembly constituency in Gorakhpur.

On the allegations that the senior Congress leaders are meeting separately and undermining the party, Dwivedi reasoned that the only reason they met separately because they were being ignored by the current crop of party leadership appointed by Priyanka Gandhi.

Read: Congress ‘Old Guard’ shunning Priyanka? Out of 350 invitees, only 40 tuned up

“We paid separate tributes to Jawaharlal Nehru on his birth anniversary in the Gomti Nagar area. The party had organised an event at the state headquarters. We met independently to discuss the strategy to strengthen the party because we were being ignored at the party office. We are not rebels but now it is obvious that some leaders want to sabotage the organisation for their personal interests. We have not received any notice to reply within 24 hours as claimed by the UPCC in a statement” said Dwivedi.

Read: ‘Congress should introspect’: UP leader who once worked closely with Rahul Gandhi refuses to be Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s adviser

Other expelled leaders too expressed their discontent with the party’s decision to oust veterans. Bhudhar Narayan Mishra said that there is a prevailing feeling among senior leaders in the party that they are being ignored by the new leadership and it is reflective in their abysmal participation in UPCC meetings.

Another expelled leader Santosh Singh rubbished the rumours of insecurity among senior leaders due to the inclusion of youth leaders in the organisation. The leaders have demanded immediate intervention from the interim Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

Constitution Day: Opposition parties boycott President Kovind’s address to joint houses, stage protest

OpIndia Staff
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Constitution Day: Opposition parties boycott President Kovind’s address to joint houses, stage protest

The winter session of the parliament is in progress. President Ramnath Kovind is to address the joint houses today on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Indian constitution.

As per reports, the opposition parties have boycotted the President’s address. Opposition parties are currently staging a protest outside the parliament house near the Ambedkar statue.


On the occasion of the 70th Constitution Day, President Kovind and PM Narendra Modi are attending a commemorative event at the parliament today. PM Modi, President Kovind, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu and all other members are commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Indian Constitution at the central hall of the Lok Sabha.


Parliamentary Affairs minister Prahlad Joshi initiated the event earlier with a welcome speech. PM Modi hailed the Indian constitution as a guiding light and added that dignity for Indians and ‘unity for India’ are two messages that our Constitution has propagated.

The Opposition parties are protesting outside the parliament house calling then developments in Maharashtra as ‘Murder of Democracy’. Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Manmohan Singh are also a part of the protests.

Rahul Gandhi had arrived in the Lok Sabha yesterday after missing it for several days due to his prolonged absence from the political scene after Maharashtra and Haryana elections.

Rajdeep ‘vulture’ Sardesai who thought Parliament attack was a ‘great day’, compares 26/11 carnage to Maharashtra politics

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Rajdeep ‘vulture’ Sardesai who thought Parliament attack was a ‘great day’, compares 26/11 carnage to Maharashtra politics

While the nation remembers in horror, the nights of terror unleashed by Pakistan on Mumbai for 4 days starting from 26th November 2008, Rajdeep Sardesai was up to his ‘vulture’ ways all over again. While the nation mourned the loss of over 174 lives in 2008, Rajdeep ‘vulture’ Sardesai compared the carnage of 26/11 to Maharashtra politics.


Rajdeep Sardesai tweeted “Today is also 26/11 anniversary.. brave men were ‘martyred’ to save citizens from terrorists in Mumbai’s 5-star hotels.. today, netas stay in 5-star hotels to ‘save’ themselves from a new form of terror: political poaching. Then it was about courage, now it’s about cash..”.

11 years ago, on 26th November 2008, Pakistani terrorists crossed the border and unleashed nights of carnage and terror on the financial capital of India – Mumbai. In a series of terror attacks on 26/11, 10 terrorists from Pakistan based Lashkar-e-Taiba carried out 12 coordinated shootings and bombings that held the city captive for 4 days.

The attacks occurred at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai Chabad House, The Oberoi Trident, The Taj Palace & Tower, Leopold Cafe, Cama Hospital, The Nariman House, the Metro Cinema, and in a lane behind the Times of India building and St. Xavier’s College. There was also an explosion at Mazagaon, in Mumbai’s port area, and in a taxi at Vile Parle.

Between 26th November and 29th November 2008, at least 174 people were killed (the numbers are suspected to be far more) and 300 people were injured.

Read: Media has no right to pontificate about 26/11 after SC’s observations on their irresponsible coverage

Rajdeep Sardesai compared a carnage of this level unleashed by Pakistan on India to Maharashtra politics where political parties are vying for power. To make the comparison, Rajdeep foolishly tries to say that in 2008, martyrs were fighting to save religions, while today, politicians are trying to save themselves in 5-star hotels. While then, it was about courage, now it’s about cash. The comparison itself is ridiculous where he compares the valour of soldiers during a terror attack to that of politicians vying for power.

For Rajdeep Sardesai, though, the insensitivity displayed while talking about a terror attack is not new. In 2018, Rajdeep Sardesai had admitted that when the Parliament was being attacked in 2001, he was ‘excited’ and that journalists are like vultures.

After severe backlash, Rajdeep had apologised for his remark and tried to insinute that it was a one-off slip of the tongue and a bad choice of words. In 2013 too, Rajdeep had expressed glee at the Parliament attacks.

Read: Rajdeep says sorry for calling Parliament attack a ‘great day’, but then, it WAS a great day for vultures

He reiterated that it was a “great day”. He said media persons are like vultures and in fact, he went as far as to say that for journalists, ‘terror is exciting’. This was not a one-off remark and Rajdeep implying so is him being dishonest.

What Rajdeep Sardesai tells us here is that what makes a journalist great is not merely doing his job, but to harbour that mindset that makes terror attacks seem exciting for the sake of TRPs. After all, that is what the 26/11 told us, as well. That is what the media’s conduct during those harrowing hours that left hundreds of people dead told the world, as evidenced by the Supreme Court’s observations. Today, that same mindset has got Rajdeep Sardesai to compare a terror attack with what is happening in Maharashtra.

Remembering the role Barkha Dutt played in endangering the lives of 100s of civilians during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack

OpIndia Staff
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Remembering the role Barkha Dutt played in endangering the lives of 100s of civilians during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack

On 26th November 2008, ten terrorists from Pakistan wrecked havoc in Mumbai. They held the country on ransom for almost three days as some of them holed up inside star hotels in Mumbai, holding hostages, many of them foreign nationals, as the ghastly scenes were telecast live in our living rooms.

The Supreme Court, in its judgement in Md. Ajmal Md. Amir Kasab vs the State Of Maharashtra on 29 August 2012, had dedicated an entire section and several pages to the conduct of the media and how it endangered operations during 26/11. In a 2012 interview with leftist media outlet Newslaundry, controversial journalist Barkha Dutt had admitted television channels’ role in endangering lives of civilians as well as security personnel by not restraining themselves during telecast.

Read: Book reveals that Army was spooked by Barkha Dutt’s reporting in Kargil

In the video, Newslaundry co-founder Madhu Trehan quizzes Barkha on the allegations levelled against her for the role she along with NDTV where she was associated with back then, played on endangering lives of people. Barkha is being asked about her bullying of blogger Chaitanya Kunte who had questioned her journalistic ethics. Barkha says she does not regret sending Kute a legal notice (following which he was strongarmed by the media house to apologise) as the blog accused her of being complicit in death of someone in Mumbai during that terror attack.

Trehan asks Dutt about allegations that the latter called up someone whose relative was held hostage who inadvertently ended up disclosing location which was used by the terrorists after it was telecast on TV. Barkha denies the allegations by saying that she wasn’t the one who reported it. Another allegation was about her calling up the Oberoi hotel management which was under siege by the terrorists who confirmed that there were hostages in the hotel the terrorists weren’t aware of.

Read: Meet the journalism student who almost lost his career for shouting anti-Barkha Dutt slogans

In her defence, Barkha says that like in Kargil war, during Mumbai attack, she became the ‘symbol’ for something every other journalist was doing. Barkha adds, “Chaitanya Kunte said I was responsible for Hemant Karkare’s death. Hemant Karkare died the first night, I was in Delhi. The Chambers’ conversation that you report, that happened with other set of journalists as well. There were other reporters. I know who they were, I am not going to name them. The Oberoi story, I do remember having said at some point… not the exact number but when they was confusion over the fact that the hotel has been cleared, I did say that no, we still have reasons to believe that there are people who are trapped as hostages. That I did say. I don’t believe I was the only one who said it. Journalists across the board said that.”

Barkha admits that perhaps in hindsight did journalists made mistakes during the Mumbai siege. However, she does add quickly that when they ‘realised’, from the second day they started deferring visuals of live coverage of the attacks by 15 minutes. She ups her defence by saying that media wasn’t aware that the handlers of the terrorists were monitoring news channels.

Maharashtra: SC orders floor test on 27th November, to be live telecast

OpIndia Staff
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Maharashtra: SC orders floor test on 27th November, to be live telecast

The Supreme Court has ordered the floor test of the Maharashtra assembly to be held tomorrow, on 27 November. As per reports, the 3 member bench of Justices has just pronounced its verdict on the petition filed jointly by NCP-Sena and Congress against the BJP-led government’s formation in Maharashtra.


A bench headed by Justice Justice NV Ramana and comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Ashok Bhushan has pronounced the verdict a short while ago. The floor test is to be live telecast.

It is notable here that the clear picture of Maharashtra assembly is yet to emerge. The Sena-NCP-Congress alliance had held a ‘parade’ of its MLAs in the Hyatt Hotel in Mumbai last evening. The Sena-led alliance claims that it has the support of 162 MLAs, a comfortable majority over the halfway mark of 145.

Read: Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress MLAs made to swear a pledge of loyalty for Sonia Gandhi, Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray

Sena-NCP and Congress had also submitted a letter to Maharashtra governor Bhagat Singh Koshiyari yesterday claiming that they have the numbers and they can form the government.

On Saturday, 23 November, BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis had taken oath as the CM of Maharashtra in a surprise development. NCP’s Ajit Pawar had also taken oath as the Deputy CM, claiming the support of a faction of NCP MLAs.

A confusion has since broken out in the state, with the Sena claiming that Ajit had backstabbed them, and NCP claiming that no MLAs are in support of Ajit Pawar.

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