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Maharashtra: 17 MLAs miss meeting called by Sharad Pawar, NCP says ‘they couldn’t make it in time but are in touch’

OpIndia Staff
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Maharashtra: 17 MLAs miss meeting called by Sharad Pawar, NCP says ‘they couldn’t make it in time but are in touch’

The political drama in Maharashtra is becoming more and more intriguing ever since BJP along with Ajit Pawar of NCP threw a curve in the wee hours of the morning to end the Maharashtra impasse. Devendra Fadnavis was sworn-in as the CM whereas NCP’ Ajit Pawar as his deputy.

NCP and Shiv Sena strongly voiced their resentment over Ajit Pawar switching sides and giving his support to BJP.

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar had earlier in the day alleged that the list of supporting MLAs submitted to Governor B.S. Koshyari by ‘rebel’ Ajit Pawar was not an official list of the party.

It was reported that at least seven legislators who were seen in at the swearing-in of Ajit Pawar in the morning have returned to the party fold and pledged their loyalty to Sharad Pawar. If sources are to be believed, 50 MLAs out of the total of 54 have arrived at a meeting being convened at YV Chavan Centre by the party supremo Sharad Pawar. It was also reported that Ajit Pawar along with 4 rebel MLAs might attend the meeting too and might be set to make an appearance.

Dilip Bankar and Manikrao Kokate, the MLAs from Nashik district, tweeted separately saying they were kept in dark about the oath-taking ceremony. Both the MLAs said they were with the NCP and expressed solidarity with its president.

Earlier, five NCP MLAs Rajendra Shingne (Buldhana), Sandeep Kshirsagar (Beed), Sunil Shelke (Maval), Sunil Bhusara (Vikramgad), Narhari Zirwal (Dindori) and Sunil Tingre (Wadgaon-Sheri) returned to the NCP fold after attending the oath-taking ceremony. Parli MLA Dhananjay Munde, who also is said to have attended the function at Raj Bhavan, turned up at the ongoing meeting of NCP MLAs convened by the Pawar senior.

However, it is now being reported that 17 MLAs were not present at the meeting called by NCP supremo Sharad Pawar. When asked about these MLAs, NCP said that they couldn’t make it to the venue by 4:30 PM, but all are in touch with the party.


Meanwhile, failing to form the government NCP-Congress-Shiv Sena submitted a writ petition in the Supreme Court against Bhagat Singh Koshyari, the Governor of Maharashtra. They are demanding that the governor’s actions in the morning should be declared illegal and Sena-NCP and Congress should be invited to form the government in Maharashtra.

Reports are also emerging wherein it is being said that Sena represented by Congress’ Abhishek Manu Singhvi, will approach the SC asking for a floor test within 24 hours to prevent horse-trading.

According to sources, the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress are expecting the Supreme Court hearing tonight. If that happens, we are in for yet another dramatic night ahead.

Supreme Court judgment in Ayodhya case against the Shariah: Sunni Waqf Board Lawyer beats a dead horse yet again

OpIndia Staff
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Supreme Court judgment in Ayodhya case against the Shariah: Sunni Waqf Board Lawyer beats a dead horse yet again

Sunni Waqf Board Lawyer Zafaryab Jilani has issued another controversial statement on the Ayodhya Verdict. He said that the verdict delivered by the five-judge bench was not final and that he was not satisfied with the verdict and was planning to file a review petition.

“The Supreme Court has already overruled more than a dozen decisions of these five judges,” he told IANS in an interview. He added, “A bench of 13 judges has been formed. The Supreme Court never says that the decision of the five judges is final and has to be accepted. Those who do not know the history of the law must be surprised to file a review petition.”

Jilani said further, “My written statement is we will accept the final decision of the Supreme Court. Whatever has come, is not the final decision. Article 137 allows that one who is not satisfied with the verdict can file a review petition.” He stated, “Others do not need to give their opinion on the matter. The proposal to replace five acres of land for the mosque is against the Sharia… Islamic Sharia does not allow this. The Waqf Act also says the same. The Supreme Court cannot change the mosque land. According to Article 142, it cannot go against any institution.”

Read: Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind takes a u-turn, decides not to file review petition against Ayodhya verdict of Supreme Court

The Sunni Waqf Board Lawyer also said that it didn’t matter if the party he represented was not willing to file a review petition. He said, “Whether or not it can file a reconsideration petition, doesn”t matter in our case. The Muslim community does not approve this decision. If the Sunni Waqf Board has to go against the reconsideration petition, go. A party cannot do anything in it.” Jilani also said that there are 200 million Muslims in this country, it didn’t matter if two laks were satisfied with the verdict.

Jilani has been issuing controversial statements ever since the verdict was delivered. Even on the day the verdict was delivered, Jilani said that he wasn’t happy with the verdict. This was when the litigant himself was happy that the verdict was delivered and said that he respected it.

On its part, the Sunni Waqf Board itself has been flip-flopping on the matter. The day the verdict was delivered, they had rejected their lawyer’s assertion and said that they will not be filing any review petition on the matter. Later, while they made it clear that they will not challenge the verdict, they said that will take a decision on whether to accept the 5-acre land by the 26th of November.

Read: Evidences prove that Hindus have always believed Ram Janmasthan is the place where Babri Mosque was built: Addendum to Ayodhya Verdict

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) meanwhile said on the 17th of November that it will file a review petition against the verdict and decided to reject the 5-acre land offered by the Supreme Court. The Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, a key litigant in the matter backtracked on its decision to file a review petition.

Thus, ever since the verdict was delivered, there has been continuous efforts to keep the Ayodhya verdict in the news. Asaduddin Owaisi, on the other hand, has been on a tirade against the verdict and quite blatantly attempting to invoke communal passions. At a time when the country welcome the verdict, a deliberate attempt appears to be underway to vitiate communal harmony.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Muslim community of the country has accepted the verdict and even if not of all them liked it, they have made peace with it and want to move ahead with their lives. However, a sinister agenda appears to be underway to keep alive the conflicts of the past so that mistrust between the communities can be milked to retain their power.

The Ram Janmabhoomi has been a volatile issue ever since independence. The centuries old dispute finally received a closure after the Supreme Court paved the way for a Bhavya Ram Mandir at the sacred site. However, it appears that some people do not seek a closure on the matter. They wish to keep the nation embroiled in the conflict so that they continue to benefit at the country’s expense.

After being checkmated, Shiv Sena files a writ petition in SC against the swearing in of Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar

OpIndia Staff
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After being checkmated, Shiv Sena files a writ petition in SC against the swearing in of Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar

The country woke up to a shocking development in the now bizarre bubble of Maharashtra politics. After weeks of speculations and talks between Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress over government formation in Maharashtra, a little after 8 AM, Devendra Fadnavis of BJP was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra and Ajit Pawar of NCP being sworn in as the Deputy CM.

Jilted Shiv Sena has now approached the Supreme Court against the swearing-in of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar.

Read: BJP’s votes helped Sena win seats, we have ‘electoral and moral’ mandate to form govt in Maharashtra: RS Prasad

According to ANI, Shiv Sena has now approached the Supreme Court and filed a writ petition against the swearing-in of Devendra Fadnavis as the Chief Minister and Ajit Pawar as the Deputy CM.

Up until yesterday, media had reported that the Common Minimum Program was almost decided between Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP.

Read: BJP and Ajit Pawar acted as Duryodhan and Shakuni of Maharashtra politics: Randeep Surjewala after being checkmated

In fact, many newspapers ran the front page news today that Uddhav Thackeray was all set to be the Chief Minister. After the Maharashtra elections, Shiv Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray had broken their alliance with BJP as the former was set on getting the CM position for Aditya Thackeray. However, after marathon meetings with NCP supremo Sharad Pawar and Sonia Gandhi, it was reportedly decided that Uddhav Thackeray would be the Chief Minister. That plan was upset when today morning, in a shocking turn of events, Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar were sworn in as CM and Deputy CM.

Read: Shiv Sena shocked: Sanjay Raut calls Ajit Pawar ‘backstabber’, says ‘woh zindagi bhar tadapte rahenge’

The Governor has given BJP and Ajit Pawar time till 30th November to prove their majority on the floor of the house. Earlier, Sharad Pawar had distanced himself from this decision of Ajit Pawar and called it his ‘personal decision’.

BHU protests: Students of SVDV submit their demand to the PMO, want Firoz Khan’s appointment rescinded

OpIndia Staff
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BHU protests: Students of SVDV submit their demand to the PMO, want Firoz Khan’s appointment rescinded

The BHU has been grappling with protests ever since Dr Firzo Khan was appointed to teach Hindu Theology at the University. The students of the Sanskrit Vidya Dharma Vidgyan at Banaras Hindu University continued their movement today even though they called off their demonstrations yesterday over the appointment of a Muslim professor to the faculty.

To that effect, they submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister’s Office located near the University and demanded that the appointment of Dr Firoz Khan be rescinded.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiG6_E98swk]

Hundreds of students participated in the march to the Prime Minister’s office and raised slogans. Chakrapani Ojha, one of the leaders of the student’s protests, told reporters that the appointment was made in violation of the vision that Madan Mohan Malviya had of the University. “Our protests against the movement continue and as a part of this, we came to the Prime Minister’s Office to submit a memorandum,” he said.

Read: SVDV BHU students end their protest temporarily, to boycott classes till admin gives answers, to meet PMO tomorrow

Ojha reiterated that the students have no personal enmity with the professor and said that they only wish that the vision with which the University was founded is respected and the rules to that end are followed.

Meanwhile, Dr Firoz Khan has applied at the Ayurveda Department at the University. His interview is due to occur on the 29th of November. There is no vacancy for the post of a Sanskrit teacher in the Arts Faculty’s Sanskrit department, but there is one in the Ayurveda department where Firoz Khan can apply and be selected. Then, he will resign from SVDV as he has already joined through the office of VC, formally. It is seen as a move to end the whole fiasco which has escalated and reached even the PMO.

Read: BHU researcher’s detailed interview: 26 OBC Hindus disqualified to favour Firoze Khan, corruption should be investigated

This development comes after yesterday, the BHU SVDV students had said that they were temporarily ending their ‘dharna’ but will continue to boycott classes and examinations till the administration responds to their questions. The students had forwarded certain questions to the administration and the BHU administration, in turn, had asked for 10 days to respond. It was also reported yesterday that the Prime Minister’s Office had got involved in trying to smooth tensions.

BJP’s votes helped Sena win seats, we have ‘electoral and moral’ mandate to form govt in Maharashtra: RS Prasad

OpIndia Staff
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BJP’s votes helped Sena win seats, we have ‘electoral and moral’ mandate to form govt in Maharashtra: RS Prasad

As Bharatiya Janata Party formed the government in alliance with Ajit Pawar of the NCP, senior BJP leader and Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad hit out at the Congress-NCP and the Shiv Sena, saying those who were ‘dead opposed’ to each other joined hands to ‘grab’ power, despite the BJP winning the popular mandate to form the government.

Addressing the press conference, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that before the Maharashtra assembly election, Devendra Fadnavis had been the chief ministerial candidate of an alliance between the BJP and the Shiv Sena.

Ravi Shankar Prasad added that it was BJP’s votes which had helped the Shiv Sena MLAs to secure victory. The coalition’s victory was both a moral and electoral win for the BJP, Prasad added.

On Saturday, following the formation of a coalition government between the BJP and a faction of NCP MLAs led by Ajit Pawar, Prasad asserted that it had the “electoral and moral” mandate to form government in Maharashtra and rejected criticism, saying the tie-up was guided by current circumstances.

Attacking the Shiv Sena-Congress alliance, Prasad said that there was an attempt to take over the financial capital of the country through unfair means. Prasad also went on to target Shiv Sena by saying that the party had forgotten the principals of Balasaheb Thackeray.

“I don’t want to say anything about those who couldn’t stay true to Balasaheb’s ideals. Their opposition to Congress was well-known. Those who dump their entire legacy, are teaching us. Those who are willing to compromise for power, shouldn’t talk about Shivaji,” said Ravi Shankar Prasad.

Taking a dig at the Congress, the BJP leader said that it was clear on whose ‘direction’ the Shiv Sena became ‘hostile’. “Those who compromise in pursuit of power should not talk about Chhatrapati Shivaji,” the Telecom Minister said.

In a massive political development on Saturday morning, BJP and some NCP MLAs led by Ajit Pawar came together to form the Maharashtra government. BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis was sworn in as the CM early morning at the Raj Bhawan by Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari. NCP leader Ajit Pawar also took oath as the Deputy CM of the state.

The BJP and Sena, which fought the Assembly polls in the alliance, had secured a comfortable majority by winning 105 and 56 seats, respectively, in the 288-member Assembly. The Congress and the NCP, pre-poll allies, had won 44 and 54 seats respectively.

BJP and Ajit Pawar acted as Duryodhan and Shakuni of Maharashtra politics: Randeep Surjewala after being checkmated

OpIndia Staff
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BJP and Ajit Pawar acted as Duryodhan and Shakuni of Maharashtra politics: Randeep Surjewala after being checkmated

After Devendra Fadnavis was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra early morning on the 23rd of November. The Congress party is dumbfounded by the development and they are having some difficulty coming to terms with it. Randeep Surjewala addressed a press conference on the matter as a spokesperson of the Congress party.

Randeep Surjewala said that it was a black chapter in the history of Indian democracy. He further claimed that the Governor acted acted like a ‘hitman’ of Amit Shah. He also claimed that Ajit Pawar was threatened with jail and that a ‘power-hungry’ BJP has ‘murdered Democracy’.


The Congress party also posed ten questions to the BJP on the matter. Among them were questions such as “Who presented the proposal for government formation?” and “Were the signatures of support verified by the Governor?” Another question that was asked was, “Why has the governor not spelt out by when the Fadnavis government has to prove majority?”


Randeep Surjewala also said that the BJP constituted an ‘illegitimate government’ and acted as a ‘contract killer’ for Democracy. He also claimed that the BJP and Ajit Pawar have acted as the Duryodhana and Shakuni of Maharashtra politics. Conspicuously enough, Surjewala and the Congress party appears to have firm faith in Sharad Pawar, unlike Sanjay Nirupam.


Meanwhile, the Congress party is looking to ship its MLAs to Rajasthan ahead of the trust vote. Earlier, it was believed that Madhya Pradesh was the destination but the party believed Jaipur was safer.

Pakistan wants to incite Khalistani terrorism through Kartarpur corridor: says PoK activist

OpIndia Staff
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Pakistan wants to incite Khalistani terrorism through Kartarpur corridor: says PoK activist

A Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) activist, Amjad Mirza on Saturday reiterated the concerns regarding Pakistan’s agenda behind the Kartarpur Corridor. The activist who lives in exile in Glasgow has said that Pakistan has a devious agenda behind the opening of Kartarpur corridor.

He affirmed that the Pakistani Army had become desperate after losing the plot along the Kashmir border and wanted an alternate route to hamper peace and harmony in India, hence the corridor.

“Why has Pakistan taken this decision now? Why have they done it after 73 years? They have done it so because the gateway to Kashmir where they were spreading terrorism is closed now. This has resulted in the Pakistani army, the real ruler of the country, losing confidence among the common people. Through this corridor, they will now use the Khalistani extremists to hamper peace and harmony in Punjab.” said Mirza.

He said Pakistan has nobody’s welfare in mind and just wants to hatch anti-India plots.

Mirza said, “If they care so much for the people then they must open the routes to Ladakh and Kashmir. But they will never do this because people from across the border will meet and mingle with each other.”

Speaking about the massive repression the illegally occupied regions of Pakistan occupied Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan were subjected to in the hands of Pakistani authorities, the activist said: “They know that people of PoK, who expressed their will on 22nd of October that they are no more going to live under the clutches of Pakistan, will find friends,” said Mirza.

“When the People’s National Alliance, an alliance of 26 parties and individuals, decided to go Muzaffarabad to highlight their issues, they were brutally baton-charged. Videos are available everywhere in which you can see police attacking bystanders from behind. Four people were killed, 150 people were arrested and around 100 were disappeared from that place.” added Mirza.

Talking about the Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan Mirza opined “Imran Khan Government has not rendered any justice to the people of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Gilgit Baltistan (GB). Not just Imran government but no Pakistani government has ever done any justice to the people of PoK and GB. Our friends are languishing in jails merely for carrying out environment based campaigns. People who carried protests against Chinese intentions of buying our mines have been sentenced for 70 years. One has even been sentenced for 90 years,” lamented the activist calling Imran Khan even more cruel than his predecessors.

In fact, Punjab chief minister, Captain Amarinder Singh has always been vocal about Pakistan’s sinister designs behind using the Kartarpur corridor to peddle its anti-India agenda. He had called the corridor-opening a bigger conspiracy of ISI.

Amarinder Singh, in his article in The Tribune, published last December, stated that the Pak Army’s sinister aim behind approving Kartarpur Corridor is to bank on the sympathies of disgruntled Sikh youth with the objective of gaining support for the referendum.

Ajit Pawar removed as Legislative Party leader after NCP admits he went ‘rogue’ to ally with BJP

OpIndia Staff
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Ajit Pawar removed as Legislative Party leader after NCP admits he went ‘rogue’ to ally with BJP

In the latest in Maharashtra’ power-play, Ajit Pawar has now been removed as NCP Legislative Party leader by the party after he allegedly turned ‘rogue’.


The political coup in Maharastra has taken a surprising turn. The President’s Rule in Maharashtra was removed early morning at 5:47 AM on Saturday and by around 8 AM, Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar were sworn in. After Ajit Pawar, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader took oath as Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s deputy in the stunning twist this morning, NCP was left shellshocked.

After accusing Ajit Pawar of back-stabbing, and ‘betraying trust’, the party has now removed him as NCP Legislative Party leader after he takes an oath with BJP in Maharashtra. The action shortly after NCP chief Sharad Pawar indicated that his nephew Ajit Pawar had gone rogue and said that he had taken a “personal decision” not supported by the party. The Party chief had also intimated that ‘action against Ajit Pawar will be taken as per the procedure’.


The overnight coup came as a big shock to the trio (NCP-Congress-Shiv Sena) who had declared the previous night, that the three parties were close to deciding on a Common Minimum Program. Soon after the shocker, Sharad Pawar had tweeted that NCP is placing on record that the party does not endorse Ajit Pawar’s decision to form an alliance with BJP.

Interestingly, 3 days ago, some reports had emerged that Ajit Pawar might be ready to split from NCP with 35 MLAs.

While this development has unsettled many in the opposition, Shiv Sena, which was certain until the morning that they have bagged Maharashtra CM’s post, has especially been swept off their feet.

Almost immediately, the party’s motormouth Sanjay Raut spoke to the press and cursed Ajit Pawar on his decision. After calling him a thief, and backstabber, he added that Ajit Pawar has betrayed everyone and ‘Woh zindagi bhar tadapte rahenge’ (he will have lifelong suffering).

Now, Raut has given a statement that there is a possibility of Ajit Pawar maybe ‘coming back’ as he has been ‘blackmailed’. Raut also claims that out of the 8 MLAs who had gone with Ajit Pawar, 5 have come back. He says that these MLAs were “lied to, put in a car, and sort of kidnapped.” He challenged that the truth would be soon exposed in Shiv Sena’ editorial, Saamana.

NCP leader Nawab Malik has even claimed that the ‘signatures’ Pawar had submitted to the governor for showing support were actually the signatures taken earlier to mark the MLAs’ attendance.

Here is the timeline of the midnight coup that led to BJP and Ajit Pawar forming the Maharashtra government

OpIndia Staff
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Here is the timeline of the midnight coup that led to BJP and Ajit Pawar forming the Maharashtra government

In a massive shocker, in an overnight coup, BJP and NCP leader, Ajit Pawar’ faction formed an alliance in the state of Maharashtra. While people slept, Devendra Fadnavis was sworn in as the Chief Minister and Ajit Pawar was sworn in as the Deputy CM.

Until this morning, Congress, Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leaders probably felt they had it in the bag. In fact, last night it was declared that Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray will be the next Maharashtra Chief Minister after a month-long political upheaval in the state. But the tables turned in the wee hours of the morning and Maharashtra got its CM and Deputy CM.

Here is the timeline of how things proceeded that led BJP and Ajit Pawar to form the Maharashtra government.

Friday, 8 PM

Ajit Pawar submitted letter’ of support signed by NCP MLAs to the Governor of Maharashtra.

Friday, 10 PM

The Governor apprised the President of the development.

Saturday, 12 AM

Ajit Pawar along with a few MLAs met the governor and extended their support to BJP’ Devendra Fadnavis.

Saturday, 2 AM

Late night at 2 AM, Devendra Fadnavis met the Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari to stake a claim.

Saturday, 5.47 AM

President’s Rule, which was imposed in Maharashtra on November 12, was revoked.

Saturday 7:30 AM

Devendra Fadnavis left the official home of the Maharashtra chief minister, Varsha. His family was with him, but not Ajit Pawar. The NCP leader reached Raj Bhavan separately, also accompanied by family. The duo met the governor and claimed the right to form a government.

Saturday 8 AM

When barely a few people had been awake long enough to worry about breakfast, a swearing-in ceremony was taking place in Raj Bhavan. BJP’ Devendra Fadnavis was sworn in as the Cheif Minister whereas NCP’ Ajit Pawar was sworn in as the Deputy Chief Minister.

Minutes after Fadnavis and Pawar were sworn in, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated them and said he was “confident they will work diligently for the bright future of Maharashtra”.

President’s Rule, which was imposed in Maharashtra on November 12, was revoked at 5.47 am after a signoff by President Ram Nath Kovind and a month-long logjam finally reached its conclusion.

The BJP made a stunning comeback in Maharashtra even though just hours before NCP had pledged support to a Shiv Sena-led alliance along with the Congress. Ajit Pawar’s uncle Sharad Pawar, the chief of the NCP, distanced himself from his nephew’s decision and said his party is still with the Shiv Sena and it’s chief Uddhav Thackeray. The BJP would lose the trust vote, said Sharad Pawar, alleging that Ajit Pawar had misled the Governor and handed him letters of support that had been taken for the Shiv Sena-led alliance. Devendra Fadnavis has to prove his majority by November 30.

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