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By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

HC orders fresh elections in three months

Dr. Rumi F. Beramji Mumbai: In a jolt, the Bombay High Court has directed the state government to hold elections to the Maharashtra Council of Acupuncture (MCA) - which is managed by an Administrator for past three years – within three months, here on Friday. A division bench of the Bombay High Court (Aurangabad Bench) comprising Justice Ajit Kadethankar and Justice Vibha Kankanwadi were disposing off a petition filed a senior medical practitioner, Dr. Laxman Bhimrao Sawant through his...

HC orders fresh elections in three months

Dr. Rumi F. Beramji Mumbai : In a jolt, the Bombay High Court has directed the state government to hold elections to the Maharashtra Council of Acupuncture (MCA) - which is managed by an Administrator for past three years – within three months, here on Friday.   A division bench of the Bombay High Court (Aurangabad Bench) comprising Justice Ajit Kadethankar and Justice Vibha Kankanwadi were disposing off a petition filed a senior medical practitioner, Dr. Laxman Bhimrao Sawant through his lawyer Sharad V. Natu, seeking different reliefs.   These included alleged serious irregularities in the functioning of the MCA and challenging the continuation of the Administrator for a prolonged period pending the elections. The matter was highlighted in detail by  ‘ The Perfect Voice’   on April 21.   Strong Observations In its order uploaded today, Justice Kadethankar and Justice Kankanwadi noted the petitioner’s contentions that the Administrator, Dr. Rumi F. Beramji was appointed for only one year, and that period is over.   “It should be the endeavour of the State to implement the various provisions of the Act, that is, the Maharashtra Acupuncture System of Therapy Act, 2015. Holding of elections and formation of the council as per Section 3 of the said Act should be adhered to by the State Government and it cannot be then postponed in infinity,” said the court.   Accordingly, Justice Kadethankar and Justice Kankanwadi directed the state government, through the Medical Education & Drugs Department (MEDD) to conduct the MCA elections within a period of three months.   Prolonged Tenure Among other things, the petitioner had termed the appointment and prolonged tenure of former MCA Chairman Dr. Rumi F. Beramji as “illegal and arbitrary,” and detrimental to the cause of Acupuncture.   Elected as the inaugural head (May 2018-May 2023) of the five-member statutory body, Dr. Beramji, was subsequently appointed its Administrator after the MCA’s term expired.   Adv. Natu pointed out that the Administrator’s appointment was intended to be a stop-gap arrangement for one year to facilitate the polls, but it was subsequently ‘extended’. However, nearly three years later, Dr. Beramji continued without fresh elections being conducted, raising questions over adherence to statutory norms and principles of governance.   Directionless Members Dr. Sawant further contended that while Dr. Beramji was installed as Administrator, the remaining members of the council were effectively superseded, leaving the regulatory body without its mandated collective structure, and over 6500-members directionless.   He argued that the excuse cited for delay in conducting elections was ostensibly an incomplete voter list, but this reason was flimsy considering the extended time lapse.   The petition, which was heard and disposed of on April 22, also levelled serious allegations against the style of functioning of the MCA Administrator, decisions were taken unilaterally, whimsically and without transparency or institutional accountability.   Selective Targeting It also made accusations of ‘selective targeting’ of certain prominent members who attempted to raise valid issues, including the globally-renowned noted acupuncture expert Dr. P. B. Lohiya of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.   Other members raised doubts over approvals granted to more than a dozen acupuncture colleges and some two dozen Continuous Acupuncture Education (CAE) centres in undue haste, purportedly in violation of prescribed norms and alleged shady deals. Many of these institutions, it was claimed, either exist only on paper or lack essential infrastructure, faculty and facilities.   The petitioner called for a comprehensive review of the Administrator’s tenure, a financial audit of the MCA's affairs, and an independent probe by the MEDD into the approvals granted to the institutions in recent years.   Dr. Sawant had sought quashing Dr. Beramji’s appointment as MCA Administrator and setting aside all policy decisions taken during his tenure in the last three years, and ordering the government to hold elections to the body.

Eyes On The Power

Sharad Pawar

Sharad Pawar has been in politics for over half a century and had been getting elected first to the assembly, then the Lok Sabha and then to Rajya Sabah all these years. He was the Chief Minister of Maharashtra for four times and union minister twice, where he handled crucial departments like the defence and the agriculture. He had been in the retirement mood since some time and have publically expressed his desire to move away from the active politics at times over past two years. Yet, when challenged by his nephew, he is tirelessly crisscrossing the state to campaign for near 90 candidates of his party including his grandson. He represents the real power. He is Sharad Pawar.


Born on December 12, 1940, in Baramati, Sharad Pawar is a towering figure in Indian politics. Known for his astute political acumen and unwavering dedication to public service, Pawar has had a long and illustrious career. However, he is also criticized for his seemingly contradictory decisions throughout his political life. Like, he always professed secularism, but in 1978, when he brought down the government of the then Maharashtra Chief Minister Vasantdada Patil, in which he was industries minister, to become the youngest Chief Minister of the state, he took support of the then Jana Sangh MLAs in the assembly.

He also faced several allegations and his name was embroiled in several controversies throughout his career. He was accused of travelling with two gangsters in his official plane while he was the defence minister. He was also accused of having links with fugitive don Dawood Ibrahim. He was also accused helping the US energy company Enron to set up a power plant in Ratnagiri district which had a flawed power purchase agreement that was heavily tilted in the favour of the company. However, none of such charges could do any damage to his political career. Despite the challenges and controversies that have come his way, Pawar has remained a resilient and influential leader.


One of the defining characteristics of Sharad Pawar is his ability to connect with people from all walks of life. His down-to-earth personality and approachable demeanor have earned him the respect and admiration of his constituents. He is known for his extensive tours of his constituency, where he interacts directly with the people, listens to their grievances, and works towards addressing their issues.


This election will test Pawar’s maneuvering skills. He has taken a responsibility to dethrone the Mahayuti. At the same time, he is determinant to finish his rebel nephew Ajit Pawar politically. If he could succeed in both the tasks Pawar will forever remain as the biggest political killer in the state.

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