In today’s political scene, a significant BJP meeting is taking place in Mumbai. Meanwhile, SP MPs have arrived in the city to negotiate for the upcoming Assembly polls.
BJP Steps Up Preparations for Maharashtra Assembly Elections Union ministers Bhupender Yadav and Ashwini Vaishnaw chaired a meeting on Thursday with Maharashtra BJP leaders to review preparations for the upcoming Assembly elections. Yadav, the Minister of
BJP Steps Up Preparations for Maharashtra Assembly Elections
Union ministers Bhupender Yadav and Ashwini Vaishnaw chaired a meeting on Thursday with Maharashtra BJP leaders to review preparations for the upcoming Assembly elections. Yadav, the Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and Vaishnaw, the Railway Minister, are the party’s in-charge and co-in-charge for Maharashtra, respectively. Key attendees included Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and state BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule.
Addressing the media post-meeting, former Union minister Raosaheb Danve said, “It was a review meeting. We have decided to contest the elections with our allies Shinde Sena and Ajit Pawar-led NCP. Seat-sharing discussions will happen later with our alliance partners.”
Danve highlighted the party’s focus on strengthening its organisational base across 97,000 booths and promoting welfare schemes like Ladki Bahin Yojana and the electricity waiver for farmers. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to address a BJP conclave in Pune on July 21.
A core committee member, speaking anonymously, mentioned that the state BJP aims to contest at least 165 to 170 seats, leveraging its current 105 sitting MLAs and stronger position in 55 to 65 additional constituencies.
The two Union ministers will continue their discussions on Friday.
Samajwadi Party Meet in Mumbai
The Samajwadi Party (SP) Maharashtra unit, led by MLA Abu Asim Azmi, has invited all party MPs to Mumbai for a strategic program ahead of the Assembly elections. SP MPs will visit significant sites in the city, including B R Ambedkar’s resting place, the Shivaji statue, a temple, and a dargah.
An SP leader in Mumbai stated that the party’s Maharashtra unit has conveyed to the central leadership its desire to claim 12 seats in negotiations with the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance. Currently, the SP has two MLAs in the state.
SP MLA and state unit president Abu Asim Azmi confirmed the MPs’ visit, though party president Akhilesh Yadav is unable to attend.
Karnataka Assembly Session
The Karnataka Assembly session continued with heated debates on Thursday over the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribe Development Corporation scam. Allegations have surfaced about the misappropriation of funds intended for ST welfare, following the suicide of corporation official P Chandrashekharan, who left a note accusing several officials of systemic corruption.
The opposition BJP, expressing dissatisfaction with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s response, trooped into the well of the House. Siddaramaiah defended his stance, stating that the suicide note mentioned three officials as responsible for Chandrasekharan’s death.
Additionally, BJP leaders, including state president B Y Vijayendra, were detained while attempting to lay siege to the Assembly, demanding the Chief Minister’s resignation over the scam.
Arunachal Pradesh Budget Session
The Budget session of the Arunachal Pradesh Assembly will commence on Friday, with the annual financial statement for the 2024-25 fiscal to be presented on July 24. Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, who also holds the Finance and Planning portfolio, will present the budget during the eight-day session, which will conclude on July 26.