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Correspondent

23 August 2024 at 4:29:04 pm

Sena minister fueled UBT narrative

Mumbai: Shiv Sena Minister Sanjay Shirsat has inadvertently fueled opposition propaganda. While reacting to an editorial in Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece Saamana on Saturday he suggested that his party and the BJP could contest the 2029 elections separately. The statement strengthens the UBT’s ongoing narrative that the BJP plans to sideline its current alliance partners. Shirsat essentially validated these opposition speculations instead of firmly dismissing them. The Saamana editorial...

Sena minister fueled UBT narrative

Mumbai: Shiv Sena Minister Sanjay Shirsat has inadvertently fueled opposition propaganda. While reacting to an editorial in Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece Saamana on Saturday he suggested that his party and the BJP could contest the 2029 elections separately. The statement strengthens the UBT’s ongoing narrative that the BJP plans to sideline its current alliance partners. Shirsat essentially validated these opposition speculations instead of firmly dismissing them. The Saamana editorial specifically named Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena and Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar’s NCP and alleged a grand BJP strategy to absorb the NCP completely. It also hinted that Shinde faction legislators might eventually be pushed to join the BJP. Shirsat walked right into this political trap. He responded to the explosive claims by defending the idea of fighting elections independently rather than projecting alliance unity. He stated that every party has the right to strengthen its own organization. He explicitly noted that no political bond forces allies to stay together permanently. He even reminded the public of past instances where the BJP and Sena broke ties to fight alone. The Saamana editorial claimed state leaders are obsessed with political realignments while ignoring real governance. It highlighted unaddressed public issues concerning farmers, widows, and persons with disabilities. The BJP notably maintained its silence on these allegations. Political observers point out that the historical relationship between the BJP and the undivided Sena was always marked by shifting loyalties and seat-sharing disputes. Shirsat’s latest remarks now serve to highlight the fragile and fluid nature of the current state coalition.

Omar welcomes Indus Water Treaty suspension, calls it “most unfair document” for J&K



SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday welcomed the Central government’s decision to suspend the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan following the deadly Pahalgam attack that claimed 26 lives. He also referred to the treaty as the “most unfair document” for the people of J&K.


“The Government of India has taken some steps. As far as Jammu and Kashmir is concerned, let’s be honest. We have never been in favour of the Indus Waters Treaty. We have always believed it to be the most unfair document to people of J&K,” Abdullah told reporters in Srinagar after meeting representatives from the tourism, trade, and industry sectors. However, he noted that the long-term impact of this move is still uncertain.


The IWT suspension is part of India’s response to the brutal attack. Other actions include expelling Pakistani military attaches and shutting down the Attari land-transit point immediately.


When questioned about the impact of the April 22 attack on the region’s tourism industry, Abdullah dismissed concerns about monetary losses. “At this juncture, we are not counting rupees or paisa. Not one of the businessmen or stakeholders in the tourism industry who attended the meeting lamented the loss of business. Not one of them expressed any concern about what would happen to them.”


“Right now, our priority is to express solidarity with the bereaved,” he said, adding, “At some point in future, we may sit down to discuss the financial implications (of the attack) on J&K’s economy. But not a single stakeholder present in the meeting raised a demand for monetary relief for the losses they are suffering.”


Omar described the tourist exodus from J&K after the massacre as “heartbreaking”. The future of the Valley’s tourism sector remains uncertain, with widespread trip cancellations following the attack.

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