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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.

People praise Army for protecting

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah interacts with displaced border residents at a shelter camp.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah interacts with displaced border residents at a shelter camp.

Garkhal (J&K): Men and machines of the armed forces worked meticulously to ensure the interception of Kamikaze drones and missiles fired by Pakistani troops targeting Jammu, drawing widespread appreciation from people.


India on Thursday night swiftly thwarted Pakistan's fresh attempts to strike military sites with drones and missiles, including in Jammu and Pathankot, after foiling similar bids at 15 locations across the country's northern and western regions, amid a military conflict between the two neighbours.


Looking after the operational area of Jammu under the command of the 9 Corps, the 26 Infantry Division, nicknamed the "Tiger Division", had put in place a robust air-defence system, virtually carving out an Israel-type Iron Dome to protect Jammu from a Hamas-style attack by Pakistan.


An official who was privy to the developments said it was a meticulous combination of men and machines in defence that thwarted such a massive Pakistani attack.


In the dead of night, Pakistan unleashed its most audacious assault on Jammu since the 1971 war, deploying a swarm of more than a hundred Kamikaze drones and missiles in a sinister attempt to devastate the city. But what followed was a show of unmatched precision, courage and resilience.


"We are indebted to our armed forces who have saved Jammu from a major attack by Pakistan. We appreciate them for their missionary work. We never thought these bombs could be neutralised in the air," Garkhal resident Sikender Singh said.


Singh, whose family, along with more than 500 villagers, has shifted to safer camps set up by the government in Mishriwala on the Jammu outskirts, said had the bombs not been intercepted, they could have caused massive deaths and destruction.


Finest system

The Army, backed by one of the world's finest air-defence systems, intercepted the aerial barrage with astonishing accuracy -- virtually every hostile object was destroyed mid-air. Not a single vital installation was touched. Not a single civilian life was lost.


"Eight missiles from Pakistan were directed at Satwari, Samba, R S Pura and Arnia. All were intercepted and blocked by air-defence units. Visuals over Jammu reminded exactly of a Hamas-style attack on Israel, like multiple cheap rockets," an Army official said.


He said the Pakistan Army is operating and behaving like Hamas. "Drones were sighted at multiple places along the western front -- confirmed to be hostile. They are being effectively engaged by our air-defence systems. Pakistani drone attacks have been reported at various locations along the western borders and are being effectively countered by the Indian armed forces," he added.


The multi-tier air-defence system, with a twin technological security architecture of Russian and Israeli surface-to-air missile setups and the indigenous Akash, was a game changer against such attacks.


Former Jammu and Kashmir director general of police S P Vaid appreciated the armed forces and their technological security systems for effectively dealing with the Pakistani attacks.


He said 50 to 60 air attacks by Pakistan over Jammu and other places were neutralised on Thursday night by the impregnable air-defence system of the country.


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