Maharashtra

Among the many questions asked about political, social and local issues, one was: Who do you think has been the most influential politician in Mumbai since Maharashtra became a state in 1960? While the media in Delhi seems to think Sharad Pawar, the formidable and veteran chief of the Nationalist Congress Party, should be the pick, residents of Mumbai were of the opinion that the late Balasaheb Thackeray has been the most influential politician.

"It's now or never.... All loudspeakers must be removed after May 3. After (Ramzan) Eid.... From May 4, I will not listen to anybody. All Hindus will blare out Hanuman Chalisa outside mosques at double volume," Raj thundered, at a well-attended rally in the tourist centre of Aurangabad late on Sunday. Taking the demand on a bigger scale, he urged that loudspeakers must be taken off from all religious places all over the country, even from temples, but only after they are removed from the mosques.

Raj, 53, is expected to chart out his fresh political voyage through the Aurangabad rally and hopes to rattle the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, headed by his estranged cousin, Shiv Sena President and Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, along with Nationalist Congress Party-Congress.

After the Assembly elections of 2019, Nana Patole of the Congress was elected Speaker of the House. But the post fell vacant in February 2021, after Patole resigned and was subsequently appointed president of the state Congress. Patole's resignation had angered the Shiv Sena and NCP, allies of the Congress in the MVA, as they had not been consulted about the move. Since then the matter has not been resolved.

Navneet Rana and her husband Ravi Rana, who is also an Independent MLA, were arrested on Saturday from their Mumbai residence after they announced to recite 'Hanuman Chalisa' outside Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray's house, 'Matoshree', in Bandra. Navneet's written complaint was accompanied by a pen drive, which reportedly contains alleged hate speech made by Raut targeting the Ranas.

A police officer said that they have registered a case invoking Sections 153(A) and Sec. 34 of Indian Penal Code, along with Sec. 37(1) 135 of Bombay Police Act, and further investigations are underway against the duo. The charges against the couple -- Navneet Rana, 36 and Ravi Rana, 40, who describe themselves as 'farmers' - pertain to disturbing peace and order, and making inflammatory statements, by the Khar Police Station following a complaint by Shiv Sena activists.

The Ranas claimed that they had called off their plans to go and recite Hanuman Chalisa at the chief minister's private residence 'Matoshri', hundreds of Shiv Sena and Yuva Sena activists laid a siege at the politician couple's home, demanding an apology for insulting Thackeray. Yuva Sena leader Varun Sardesai said it was "the victory of the party and the Ranas could not move out of their home" let alone go to the CM's home.

MLA Rana claimed that the agitation was being withdrawn in view of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Mumbai tomorrow (Sunday, April 24) to avoid any law-and-order situation from cropping up. The duo claimed that they were not under any kind of pressure or scared by the Maha Vikas Aghadi or the Shiv Sena, but were dropping their plans in honour of the PM's trip to Mumbai.

"I enjoyed reading those (14) tweets. I am accused of minority appeasement and caste politics. The NCP's policies are not based on such things. I don't give much importance to the criticism," said Pawar with a mischievous glint in his eyes, making it clear he cared little for the Opposition's repeated assaults. Pawar -- who was accorded a hero's welcome here on Friday morning -- said he was more concerned about the unity of the state which is in 'danger' than the Opposition barbs at him.

Sources say that Congress President Sonia Gandhi has sought a report from state in charge H.K. Patil before the meeting and has directed him to come up with an amicable solution. The main complaint is against Balasahab Thorat, who is also the legislative party leader in the Assembly. The party MLAs met Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday to discuss issues of the party in the state, and share their grievances.