top of page

By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 8:56:24 pm

MNS’ signature drive to oust CEC

Mumbai: The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) launched a statewide signature campaign on Monday, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over allegations concerning the Election Commission’s functioning and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, starting with Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. The main campaign was taken up at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Park, to mobilise direct public support for the ouster of the CEC and changes to the...

MNS’ signature drive to oust CEC

Mumbai: The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) launched a statewide signature campaign on Monday, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over allegations concerning the Election Commission’s functioning and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, starting with Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. The main campaign was taken up at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Park, to mobilise direct public support for the ouster of the CEC and changes to the electoral processes, besides scrapping the Election Commission of India (ECI)’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR). Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray, brother Tejas and their cousin, MNS functionary Amit Thackeray, along with top leaders from both parties staged a protest march in Dadar this evening followed by a dharna. The other demands include return to Ballot Paper voting, accurate and transparent electoral rolls, and conducting the electoral processes in consultation with all political parties. MNS President Raj Thackeray was scheduled to join the signature campaign later this evening even as the process continued in full swing in different parts of Mumbai and the state. However, party officials claimed that there was a huge and spontaneous response to the drive, but could not provide the details of the signatures collected today. In Navi Mumbai, too A similar campaign was organized near Vashi railway station led by MNS Navi Mumbai President Gajanan Kale, Sachin Kadam and others in which large crowds of men, women and youth were seen signing the demand petitions. As political activists clamoured against Gyanesh Kumar, some wearing T-shirts with slogans demanding his resignation, Kale said the campaign would be extended to other towns in Navi Mumbai. SS (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve led a protest in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, besides reports of agitations coming in different parts of the state. Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) Founder Abhijeet Dipke – who returned to his hometown and left to pay homage to his deceased grandmother in Hingoli - today fired a fresh salve, accusing the Centre of “waging a war against citizens to protect CEC Gyanesh Kumar.” Today’s signature drive followed a weekend of angry protests against Gyanesh Kumar and the detention of demonstrators in Mumbai, including social activists Tushar Gandhi, his daughter Kasturi, Guddi S.L. Feroze Mithiborwala, actor Imran Khan and over 600 other youth. In tune with Delhi agitation It also coincided with INDIA block agitation in New Delhi led by Congress Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and other top Opposition leaders seeking a meeting with the Chief Justice of India. After the request was rejected the Opposition marched to the apex court to file a petition on the same issue this evening. Terming it as “the second battle for Independence”, Congress state President Harshwardhan Sapkal along with all party MPs and MLAs from the state, plus office-bearers, totalling to over 1,000, went to New Delhi to join the INDIA bloc’s ‘Save Democracy’ agitation. “The dictatorial BJP has resolved to crush this democratic struggle. New Delhi has turned into a military cantonment. Over 30,000 police and security personnel have been deployed, 250 trains have been halted or cancelled, and metro services have also been suspended. All this is to suppress the mass movement and conceal the ‘vote-theft’. But until all those responsible for the electoral malpractices are booked, Gyanesh Kumar is removed and arrested, we will not rest,” thundered Sapkal. State leaders joining the INDIA bloc march included AICC Maharashtra In-Charge Dr. Sirivella Prasad, Goa In-Charge Manikrao Thakre, CWC Member M. Arif Naseem Khan, Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar, Balasaheb Thorat, Nitin Raut, Amit Deshmukh, Vishwajeet Kadam, ex-MP Hussain Dalwai, B. M. Sandeep, Rehana Chishti, Bhai Jagtap, Mohan Joshi, Atul Londhe and others.

A beacon of hope for rural athletes

Correspondent
Oct 8, 2024
3 min read

Updated: Oct 22, 2024

How Akash Shinde transformed from a shy village boy to a prominent kabaddi player

beacon of hope

Mumbai: In the heart of Nashik's Adgaon village, a young boy Akash Shinde dared to dream big. Little did he know that his journey from playing in the muddy grounds of his town to becoming a PKL winner would inspire a generation of aspiring athletes.


“Initially, when I used to play, I would come home with bruises because Kabaddi was played in the mud,” Akash recalls as he enters his fourth season with the Puneri Paltan. And despite his family's initial concerns, his passion for kabaddi burned bright, fuelled by the unwavering support of his early mentors Sagar Malwade and Vinod Labde.


His path to success was far from smooth. He faced numerous setbacks, failing to make the cut in his first attempts at various levels. “I fell short in my first attempts at all levels. I went for my senior camp for Maharashtra and fell short there too!”


But instead of letting these failures discourage him, Akash used them as stepping stones. “These setbacks kept me determined, and I knew I needed to try harder and with renewed energy to show the world what I could do and achieve.”


His breakthrough came in 2019 at a seniors’ trial in Nashik. This performance opened doors, leading him to play in the Junior Nationals and eventually catching the eye of Yuva Paltan, which is the Puneri Paltan’s academy.


The turning point in Akash’s career came when he represented his college in Beed, earning his first chance to play for Maharashtra. Under the guidance of Anil Jagdale and Kailas Jagdale, his skills flourished. His journey accelerated as he moved from Mahindra & Mahindra to Yuva Paltan, where mentors like Sangram and Ashok helped refine his game.


Akash’s PKL debut with Puneri Paltan in Season 8 was a moment of immense pride, not just for him but for his entire village. “No player from the Nashik region had made it to PKL or even the Maharashtra team, so it was a shock, a pleasant one, for everyone. The entire Nashik district was very happy. It felt really good,” he reminisces.


But it was in Season 9 that he truly announced his arrival, becoming a formidable force on the mat. In the 22 matches that Akash played on the way to his first PKL final, he scored 139 raid points, averaging 6.32 raid point per match.


His performances caught the eye of the national selectors, earning him a spot on the Indian team for the Asian Games. “I received my Team India kit on the 27th of October. I still remember it,” he says.


The crowning glory came in PKL Season 10 when Akash, along with his Puneri Paltan teammates, lifted the coveted trophy. Albeit playing a diminished role, he managed an impressive 56 raid points in the 13 matches he played. “There was only one target then... we had made up our minds that we had to win the title this season, whatever it took,” he shared, reflecting on the team’s collective determination. Now, Akash stands as a beacon of hope for young athletes from rural India. His message to them is clear: “Keep believing in yourselves and your dedication and efforts.” He emphasizes the importance of loyalty, urging young players to stay true to the clubs that nurture them.


As he prepares for PKL Season 11, his journey from the muddy grounds of Adgaon to the bright lights of Pro Kabaddi serves as a testament to the power of dreams, determination, and unwavering support.

Comments

bottom of page