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Raj Thackeray’s Unexpected Meeting with Devendra Fadnavis Shocks Maharashtra
Sources indicate that Thackeray arrived at the hotel at 9:40 AM, while Fadnavis arrived shortly after at 10:34 AM. Notably, both leaders used the staff entrance instead of the main door. They convened in room number 2102 on the hotel’s 21st floor, with only the two present during discussions, according to insiders.
Details regarding the topics discussed remain unclear, as both the BJP and MNS have opted for secrecy, leaving many in Maharashtra surprised. This unexpected gathering comes amidst rising speculation about a possible alliance between Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena and the MNS for upcoming local civic and municipal elections.
Later in the day, Raj Thackeray held a meeting with MNS leaders at his residence in Dadar West, inviting city chiefs and deputy chiefs from Mumbai, Thane, and Palghar. He urged his party members to refrain from discussing his conversation with Fadnavis. The meeting also included a review of the current political landscape and potential implications of a possible alliance with the BJP.
MNS sources suggest several reasons why Thackeray might be leaning towards a BJP alliance. One significant factor is that such a partnership could reshape political dynamics not just in Mumbai, but also in Thane, Nashik, and Pune, potentially granting the MNS additional seats and strength.
Additionally, aligning with the BJP could provide long-term benefits for the MNS. In contrast, a partnership with Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena might yield fewer advantages due to the latter’s numerical superiority in various municipal corporations, apart from Mumbai and Thane.
While all three factions—the MNS and both Shiv Sena groups—trace their roots back to the late Balasaheb Thackeray, calculations suggest that the MNS stands to gain more by partnering with the BJP, rather than being a subordinate player in an alliance with Uddhav or Eknath Shinde’s factions.
Senior MNS leaders, including Sandeep Deshpande, have met with Raj Thackeray at his residence. Prior to this, Deshpande and Amey Khopkar attempted to meet with Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde but were unsuccessful.
Earlier on Thursday, during the meeting between Fadnavis and Thackeray, Sanjay Raut spoke about the potential for collaboration between Raj and Uddhav. When asked whether Uddhav’s Shiv Sena would partner with the MVA or the MNS for the upcoming elections, Raut stated that Uddhav would provide clarity soon, emphasizing the need to consider local sentiments.
Responding to the Fadnavis-Thackeray meeting, NCP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar remarked that discussions between various political leaders are common in Maharashtra, as promoted by the late Yashwantrao Chavan. He suggested that such meetings do not warrant deep interpretations.
Sanjay Shirsat, from the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, commented on the unpredictable nature of politics, suggesting that alliances are formed to strengthen parties. He reiterated that Thackeray should consider joining the BJP-led coalition.
Kishori Pednekar, former mayor and Shiv Sena leader, expressed caution about jumping to conclusions regarding the Fadnavis-Thackeray meeting. She highlighted that a recent survey showed strong support among youth for collaboration between Raj and Uddhav.
Sushma Andhare, another Shiv Sena leader, noted that Raj had previously stated he prioritizes Maharashtra’s interests over personal ego. She reiterated that the MNS is free to make its own decisions regarding alliances.
Rohit Pawar, an NCP MLA, commented on public expectations for a Thackeray alliance, questioning whether the MNS positioned itself to negotiate with the BJP amidst a prevailing atmosphere of potential collaboration.
New Delhi: An 18-year-old MBBS student has accused a 20-year-old male friend of drugging and sexually assaulting her at a hotel in Delhi’s Adarsh Nagar area. The alleged incident took place on September 9, police officials said.
According to the complaint, the accused, who is also a medical student, invited the woman to “Hotel Apple” on the pretext of spending time together. Once there, he allegedly gave her a drink laced with drugs and then raped her.
The survivor told police that the accused recorded obscene videos and took pictures during the assault. He later threatened to make the content viral if she reported the incident.
The woman, a native of Jind in Haryana, is currently staying at the hostel of Baba Saheb Ambedkar Medical College in Rohini, Delhi.
Based on her complaint, police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. A search is underway to locate and arrest the accused, officials added.
In a separate case earlier this month, a school manager in Uttar Pradesh was arrested for allegedly raping a Class 8 student. In February, a tuition teacher in Delhi’s CR Park area was accused of repeatedly raping a 15-year-old student over three years and threatening her with blackmail.
Jaipur: Eight patients died after a fire broke out at the trauma centre of the state-run Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital in Jaipur late Sunday night.
Officials said the blaze started in the storage area of the Neuro ICU, possibly due to a short circuit. There were 11 patients in the ICU at the time. Smoke quickly spread, causing panic among patients and staff.
Hospital workers and attendants tried to rescue patients, even moving them out on their beds. Firefighters controlled the blaze in about two hours.
Families of the victims alleged that hospital staff ignored early warnings about smoke and fled during the fire.
Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and other ministers visited the hospital to review the situation and assured a detailed probe into the incident.
Uttar Pradesh: A 75-year-old man who remarried in search of companionship died barely hours after his wedding, sparking shock and speculation in his village.
The deceased, identified as Sangruram, a resident of Kuchhmuchh village in Jaunpur district, had been living alone after losing his first wife a year ago. With no children, he supported himself through farming. Despite advice from relatives against remarriage, Sangruram wed 35-year-old Manbhavati, a resident of Jalalpur area, on Monday, September 29.
The marriage was first registered in court, followed by traditional rituals at a local temple. According to Manbhavati, the couple spent most of the wedding night conversing, as Sangruram assured her that she would take responsibility for the household while he would “take care of the children.”
However, by the next morning, his health deteriorated suddenly. He was rushed to hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
The unexpected death has triggered varied reactions in the village. While some residents believe it to be a natural occurrence given his age, others have expressed suspicion about the circumstances.
Relatives, including nephews residing in Delhi, have halted funeral rites until their arrival. They have also raised questions about whether a police inquiry or post-mortem examination will be conducted before the cremation.
Authorities have yet to issue an official statement regarding further investigation.
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