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By:

Abhijit Mulye

21 August 2024 at 11:29:11 am

Shinde in Delhi, speculation in Mumbai

Mumbai: The political landscape of Maharashtra is currently witnessing a renewed surge of speculative ripples as whispers of a major leadership overhaul gain significant momentum. Prominent Shiv Sena ministers have begun to openly voice their aspirations regarding a potential restructuring at the highest echelons of the state government. At the heart of this unfolding political drama is the growing chorus demanding the elevation of the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to the Union Cabinet,...

Shinde in Delhi, speculation in Mumbai

Mumbai: The political landscape of Maharashtra is currently witnessing a renewed surge of speculative ripples as whispers of a major leadership overhaul gain significant momentum. Prominent Shiv Sena ministers have begun to openly voice their aspirations regarding a potential restructuring at the highest echelons of the state government. At the heart of this unfolding political drama is the growing chorus demanding the elevation of the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to the Union Cabinet, thereby clearing the path for his deputy Eknath Shinde to take over the reins as the next CM. This simmering speculation has been heavily fueled by Shinde’s strategic departure for New Delhi on Monday, where he is expected to camp for the next two days.The immediate catalyst was a bold statement made by Shiv Sena leader Bacchu Kadu, who publicly expressed his earnest desire to see Shinde occupy the CM’s chair once again. Kadu articulated that it is the honest and natural sentiment of every Shiv Sainik to want their own party leader at the helm of the state. He went a step further to explicitly suggest that Fadnavis should be promoted to the central government. However, this assertion was met with immediate resistance from the BJP. Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule was quick to issue a stern rebuttal, emphasising the stability of the ruling Mahayuti alliance. He stated that no individual possesses the authority to unilaterally decide that Fadnavis should be relocated to New Delhi. Despite the BJP's attempts to quell the rumors, the sentiment within the Shiv Sena camp remains palpable and vocal. Echoing Kadu's sentiments, Industries Minister Uday Samant weighed in on the controversy, acknowledging that while Kadu’s demand might be presented in a personal capacity, it reflects a deeply natural political instinct. Samant candidly admitted that he, too, shares the ambition of seeing Shinde elevated to the top post. Shinde’s two-day sojourn in the Capital is officially slated for attending the Shiv Sena's national executive meeting and a crucial joint meeting of the NDA scheduled for June 10. However, the timing and context of this trip are being heavily scrutinised in political circles.

Comic ‘karmas’ of Kunal Kamra

The comedian was in Pondicherry when Shiv Sena went on rampage

Mumbai: Once banned by all the airlines operating in the country, comedian Kunal Kamra has once again got the goatee of ruling ally Shiv Sena supporters for his alleged slurs on Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.


Though Kamra, 36, didn’t mention Shinde, the comic caper in the form of a poem on his show ‘Nava Bharat’ dropped enough hints to Shiv Sainiks and they vented their anger at a recording studio in Khar.


Multiple complaints are being lodged against him by various Shiv Sena activists, including Rahul Kanal, even as the Maharashra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) allies rushed to Kamra’s support.


On his part, Kamra was not exactly quivering in fear at his home in Pondicherry, where he received a ‘threat call’ marinated with expletives from an enraged Shiv Sainik, around 11 pm Sunday night.


However, more than sounding threatening, the caller ended up sounding like a pathetic joker when he threatened to come to TN to hammer Kamra, but innocently blurted out: “Tamil Nadu me kaise pahunchega, Bhai?” (How to reach Tamil Nadu?), tickling the social media.


A sleepy Kamra yet managed to patiently answer to all the threat-queries, even daring to correct the caller that “Shinde is no longer the CM", and the other chap promptly modified it to ‘Upa-Mukhya Mantri’.


Studio at centre razed over 'violations'

The studio in Khar in which stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra filmed his show containing the controversial "traitor" jibe at Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was on Monday demolished by Mumbai's civic body for alleged building violations.


The action by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation came a day after Habitat studio and Unicontinental hotel where it is located were ransacked late Sunday night by irate Shiv Sainiks.


The temporary shed and other structures comprising the studio, which was created in the basement of the hotel, has been razed, a civic official said.

"It was removed as there is no civic permission to create a studio in the basement. The BMC will check the hotel to see if everything is as per the allowed plan," the official said.


Earlier in the day, Habitat Studio announced they were shutting down after Shiv Sena workers vandalised its premises.

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