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By:

Abhijit Mulye

21 August 2024 at 4:59:11 pm

Speculations of ‘Operation Tiger’

Mumbai: Recent disqualification of former Mumbai Mayor Vishakha Raut and senior corporator Deepak Sawant has sent shockwaves through the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), sparking speculation of a targeted municipal sequel to the Shiv Sena split. With a surge of election petitions now threatening dozens of elected representatives, whispers of a new form of calculated “Operation Tiger” are growing louder. Many suspect this is a strategic move to dismantle the Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray...

Speculations of ‘Operation Tiger’

Mumbai: Recent disqualification of former Mumbai Mayor Vishakha Raut and senior corporator Deepak Sawant has sent shockwaves through the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), sparking speculation of a targeted municipal sequel to the Shiv Sena split. With a surge of election petitions now threatening dozens of elected representatives, whispers of a new form of calculated “Operation Tiger” are growing louder. Many suspect this is a strategic move to dismantle the Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) faction’s remaining stronghold in the civic body. Recent action against Raut and Sawant, whose Other Backward Classes (OBC) caste certificates were invalidated, reveals a broader vulnerability. According to BMC data, a staggering 79 election petitions are currently active against corporators across various parties. The charges primarily challenge the authenticity of caste verification certificates, but also include discrepancies in election affidavits concerning declared properties and income. While the sheer volume of petitions against the UBT camp is alarming, civic authorities note that filing a petition does not automatically result in disqualification. The process requires exhausting several legal and administrative steps. Even after a ruling by a caste scrutiny committee or judicial authority, the urban development department must formally issue a gazette notification before a seat is declared vacant. The timing of these petitions has fueled intense speculation. Against the backdrop of the ongoing Supreme Court hearings regarding the original Shiv Sena’s party name and election symbol, analysts suggest rival factions are leveraging these petitions. This municipal “Operation Tiger” appears designed to either legally disqualify embattled UBT members or pressure them into defection to avoid a public unseating. If these petitions lead to widespread disqualifications, the UBT faction risks losing its position as the largest opposition bloc, fundamentally altering the balance of power in Asia’s richest civic body. Election petitions against BMC corporators Political Party: Active Petitions Shiv Sena (UBT): 24 Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): 18 Congress: 10 Shiv Sena (Shinde): 7 AIMIM: 7

Literary heritage too part of culture: Governor

Mumbai: Governor of Maharashtra Jishnu Dev Varma visited the library of the historic Asiatic Society in Mumbai on Tuesday to have a look at its rich collection of books, rare documents, archaeological artefacts from Sopara, maps and rare coins. During the visit the Governor announced a donation of Rs 20 lakh to the Asiatic Society for the preservation and conservation of books. He said that culture does not comprise only music, dance and theatre; our historical literary heritage is also an integral part of Indian culture.


The Governor said that he was extremely happy to visit the Asiatic Society. He said that preserving the historical and intellectual heritage housed here and passing it on to future generations is a collective responsibility. He said there should be serious reflection on how the younger generation can be attracted to this rich heritage and institution. The Asiatic Society should not remain merely a repository of books and documents, but should become a vibrant and dynamic institution, continuously alive with readers, researchers and seekers of knowledge, he said.


The Governor said that culture does not comprise only music, dance and theatre; our historical literary heritage is also an integral part of Indian culture.


He said that ‘Viksit Bharat’ does not mean economic development alone. ‘Viksit’ encompasses not only ‘Vikas’—development—but also our ‘Virasat’—our historical and cultural heritage. Moving forward with both development and heritage is the right path towards a Viksit Bharat.


Speaking about the preservation of books, the Governor said that preservation is not merely an office task to be carried out from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; it requires passion, a sense of purpose and dedication to the work. He expressed satisfaction at the excellent work being undertaken by the Asiatic Society in this regard.


‘Rajaratnakaram’ Mumbai’s link to Tripura


There is considerable discussion in Tripura about the Sanskrit work ‘Rajaratnakaram’, relating to the State of Tripura and its royal family. The Governor said that although the work has been widely discussed in Tripura, he had never personally seen the book there. He said that he was delighted and honoured to have the opportunity to see this historic work for the first time today at the Asiatic Library in Mumbai.


On the occasion, President of the Asiatic Society, Mumbai Dr. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe briefed the Governor about the various activities and work of the Asiatic Society and introduced him to the newly elected members of the Managing Committee and the Scrutiny Committee.


Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Society Dr. Bhalchandra Mungekar; former Vice-Chancellor of Mumbai University and Vice-President of the society Dr. Sanjay Deshmukh; Honourary Secretary Vivek Ganpule and Madhav Bhandari were among other dignitaries present on the occasion. Vaijayanti Chakravarti proposed the vote of thanks.

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