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KALYAN: With the State government announcing the Scheduled Tribe (ST) reservation for the Mayor’s post in the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) on Thursday, it has become almost certain that Shiv Sena will secure the prestigious position. The party has two elected corporators from the ST category—Kiran Bhangale and Harshali Thavil—and one of them is now set to become the next Mayor.The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which had earlier been demanding the Mayor’s post for the first two-and-a-half years as part of the Mahayuti power-sharing arrangement, finds itself out of contention this time. The party does not have a single corporator from the ST category eligible to contest for the Mayor’s post. Consequently, the BJP has withdrawn its claim and extended congratulations to Shiv Sena’s prospective Mayor from the Mahayuti alliance.
Political circles now expect that once the current two-and-a-half-year term under ST reservation is completed and the reservation category changes, the BJP may renew its demand for the Mayor’s post for the remaining tenure.Among Shiv Sena’s ST candidates, 31-year-old Kiran Bhangale has emerged as a compelling grassroots face. A data analyst working in Navi Mumbai, Bhangale entered electoral politics for the first time and won the corporator’s election this year. Living in a modest 120-square-foot room and recently shifted in flat, he has been associated with Shiv Sena since childhood and is considered close to Shiv Sena’s Kalyan city president Ravi Patil. Calling himself a “true Shiv Sainik,” Bhangale recalls his journey from sweeping the local party office (shakha) as a child to actively participating in social work undertaken by the party. If given the opportunity to serve as Mayor, he says his priorities will be cleanliness, healthcare, and strengthening civic infrastructure in the city.The other strong contender is Harshali Thavil, a two-time corporator from Ward No. 3. An educated and experienced leader, Thavil holds degrees in BMS and LLM. During her previous tenure as a corporator, she reportedly facilitated development works worth nearly ₹18 crore in her ward. Her administrative experience, educational background, and proven track record make her an equally formidable candidate for the Mayor’s post.With two capable ST candidates in its ranks, Shiv Sena is widely expected to finalize one of them as Mayor in the coming days.Reacting to the development, BJP district president Nandu Parab congratulated both Shiv Sena ST corporators and welcomed the decision in the spirit of alliance politics. “We are happy that the Mayor will be from the Shiv Sena–BJP Mahayuti. Since we do not have any ST-category corporator, it is natural that Shiv Sena will get the Mayor’s post,” Parab said. He added that decisions regarding other key positions in KDMC—such as the Standing Committee Chairman and other important posts—will be taken jointly by senior leaders of both parties in the coming days.However, political undercurrents continue to simmer beneath the surface. According to sources, BJP leaders who were firm about claiming the Mayor’s post for the first two-and-a-half years may now intensify discussions to ensure that the next Mayor, after the reservation cycle changes, comes from the BJP.At the same time, Shiv Sena appears to be strengthening its position within KDMC. With 53 corporators of its own, the party has already secured the support of five Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) corporators and one corporator from the Sharad Pawar-led NCP faction. Additionally, four corporators from Shiv Sena (UBT) are said to be in contact with the ruling Shiv Sena.This evolving arithmetic raises a crucial political question: Is Shiv Sena consolidating this support merely to strengthen its bargaining power within the Mahayuti, or is it preparing to retain full control of the Mayor’s post even after the next two-and-a-half years, potentially sidelining the BJP? While alliance leaders continue to publicly project unity, the real test of power-sharing within KDMC is likely to unfold in the days ahead.
MUMBAI: After Bombay high court’s rap for not arresting Mahad election violence accused Vikas Gogawale, son of cabinet minister Bharat Gogawale of Shiv Sena, the state said he will surrender on Friday.“Today I read in the newspaper this minister is going to hoist the flag on Jan 26. This minister is given that honour. Why? He is a cabinet minister …, and his son is absconding. Police are not able to arrest him… all political,” said Justice Madhav Jamdar.
“The position on record clearly shows the rule of law in Maharashtra is adversely affected… If the govt wishes, it can arrest anybody within 24 hours.”Vikas Gogawale, an accused in the Dec 2 violence that broke out between NCP and Shiv Sena supporters during Mahad Municipal Council elections, will surrender on Friday, state told the Bombay High Court. On Dec 23, his anticipatory bail plea was rejected by the HC.Advocate general Milind Sathe told Justice Madhav Jamdar that “he (Gogawale) said he will ensure he (Vikas) connects with him and he will ask him to follow the law. He will try to connect with him so keep it tomorrow.” The judge asked, “Connect and what?’’ Sathe replied, “with the son.” “And then what?” the judge further asked, “Then he will surrender,” Sathe said.HC was hearing the anticipatory bail plea of Shreeyash Jagtap, son of former NCP MLA Manik Jagtap. Cross FIRs were filed over the Dec 2 incident. While one person named Vikas, his cousin Mahesh and their supporters, a second named Jagtap and his supporters. On Dec 29, HC granted Jagtap interim protection from arrest. On Jan 17, the state filed an affidavit that in spite of best efforts by the police, Vikas could not be arrested.Sathe said, “we’ll put it to a logical conclusion and a non-bailable warrant will be issued”. “So this is the position of rule of law in the state of Maharashtra? The person is the minister’s son and the minister is still in the cabinet. This is political,” said Justice Jamdar. Sathe said the next step was the declaration of proclamation.“If the government wishes, it can arrest anybody within 24 hours. If it doesn’t want to arrest, then they (govt) will file an affidavit,” said Justice Jamdar. Sathe said “that is not the intention, adding; “I’ll show how many persons are deployed for this job. The SP is personally monitoring.”Jagtap’s advocate said Gogawale told a news channel his son is not absconding and is in contact with him. “The position on record clearly shows the rule of law in the state of Maharashtra is adversely affected,” said Justice Jamdar. He questioned why Gogawale’s statement is not recorded “as to where is his son.”When Sathe said obviously Vikas “is somewhere…”, Justice Jamdar said “and his father continues to be the cabinet minister. “The chief minister is so helpless he can’t do anything about that. I will make an observation (in the order). It is about administration of justice,’’ added Justice Jamdar.Jagtap’s advocate pointed out Mahesh, who is also absconding, filed his nomination for Zilla Parishad election. Sathe said he filed it though a proposer.The judge asked Sathe to take instructions “from the minister” and “the chief minister also” and inform the court at 5pm. “I will pass an appropriate order. I will not be bound by any pressure…All are citizens. There are no special citizens,” he said. After Sathe’s statement, he kept the matter for 11am on Friday, adding, “before that ask him to surrender also.” Justice Jamdar told Jagtap’s advocate once “he (Vikas) surrenders, your protection goes.”
PM Modi in Kerala (ANI photo)
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday projected the BJP’s breakthrough in Kerala’s capital as the start of a larger political shift in the state, saying the party’s recent victory in the Thiruvananthapuram corporation reflected growing public confidence ahead of the assembly elections.Addressing a large BJP rally at the Putharikandam Maidan, PM Modi said the party’s rise in Kerala would mirror its early growth in Gujarat, where it began by winning control of a single city nearly four decades ago. He recalled that before 1987, the BJP was a marginal force in Gujarat and received little attention.“In 1987, for the first time, the BJP won control of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, much like the party’s recent victory in Thiruvananthapuram. Since then, the people of Gujarat have entrusted us with the opportunity to serve, and we have continued to do so for decades,” PM Modi was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.“Our journey began in one city in Gujarat, and similarly, in Kerala, our beginnings have started with a single city. I believe this demonstrates that the people of Kerala are beginning to place their trust in the BJP, connecting with us in the same way Gujarat once did,” he added.Hits out at LDF-UDF ‘misrule’Calling the civic poll result a mandate for change, the prime minister said the win reflected public resolve to free the state from what he described as years of misgovernance by the LDF and the UDF. He alleged that both fronts had ignored Thiruvananthapuram for decades, leaving the capital short of basic amenities and infrastructure.“The Left and the Congress have consistently failed to address the needs of our people. However, our BJP team has already begun working towards a developed Thiruvananthapuram. To the people of the city, I say — have faith, the change that has long been overdue is finally on its way,” Modi said.“Thiruvananthapuram, for the entire country, will become a model city. I extend my full support to make Thiruvananthapuram one of the best cities in India,” he said.PM Modi is in Kerala to inaugurate multiple development projects and flag off new train services as the state heads into Assembly elections later this year.The Prime Minister emphasised that Thiruvananthapuram will now serve as a model city for the rest of the country.“To the people of this city, I say, have faith. Thiruvananthapuram, for the entire country, will become a model city. I extend my full support to make Thiruvananthapuram one of the best cities in India,” he added.The Prime Minister also discussed Kerala’s broader political scenario ahead of the upcoming elections.“When considering the future of Kerala, the political landscape is divided into just two predominant sides, the LDF and the UDF. Over the years, both groups have taken turns governing the state, contributing to Kerala’s current challenges. However, there is a third alternative–one that prioritises development and good governance–represented by the BJP and NDA,” he said.On the Sabarimala gold theftReferring to the Sabarimala gold theft case, PM Modi said a BJP government would ensure those behind the gold theft were jailed, calling it “Modi’s guarantee”.“If BJP forms govt in Kerala, Sabarimala gold loss will be examined, culprits will be jailed; this is Modi’s guarantee,” the Prime Minister said.Earlier, PM launched various developmental projects and flagged off new train services in the state, and said that a new realisation has emerged among the people about the Centre’s efforts for the coastal state’s development.Speaking after launching the projects and flagging off the trains, PM Modi said the day marks a new momentum in the development of Kerala, driven by the efforts of the central government.He said that rail connectivity has been further strengthened and the launched projects will help to transform Thiruvananthapuram into a major hub in the country.The Prime Minister flagged off three Amrit Bharat Express trains and a Thrissur-Guruvayur passenger train which will help to enhance regional rail connectivity between Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.In addition, he laid the foundation stone for a CSIR-NIIST Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship Hub here and launched the PM SVANidhi Credit Card– a UPI-linked, interest-free revolving credit facility.PM Modi also disbursed loan amounts and credit cards to several beneficiaries under the PM SVANidhi scheme.He said that the scheme was aimed at the welfare of the poor across Kerala and the nation.Besides these, he laid the foundation stone for a state-of-the-art Radiosurgery Centre at the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology in the city and inaugurated the new Poojappura Head Post Office.
Teams:
Sri Lanka U19 (Playing XI): Dimantha Mahavithana, Viran Chamuditha, Dulnith Sigera, Vimath Dinsara(c), Kavija Gamage, Chamika Heenatigala, Aadham Hilmy(w), Sethmika Seneviratne, Rasith Nimsara, Kugathas Mathulan, Vigneshwaran Akash
Australia U19 (Playing XI): Will Malajczuk, Nitesh Samuel, Steven Hogan, Oliver Peake(c), Alex Lee Young(w), Jayden Draper, Aryan Sharma, Hayden Schiller, Kasey Barton, Will Byrom, Charles Lachmund
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NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the people of Tamil Nadu have decided to bid farewell to the “corrupt” DMK government in the upcoming Assembly elections, as he kicked off the NDA’s campaign in the state. Chief Minister M K Stalin strongly countered the remarks, accusing the BJP-led NDA of repeatedly betraying Tamil Nadu.
Ahead of a mega rally at Maduranthakam in Chengalpattu district, PM Modi said the NDA’s governance record and commitment to regional aspirations were resonating with voters.“Tamil Nadu is with NDA… Tamil Nadu has decided that it’s time to bid farewell to the corrupt DMK government. The NDA’s governance record and commitment to regional aspirations are striking a chord with the people of the state,” PM Modi said in a post on X.The Maduranthakam rally marks the formal launch of the NDA’s Assembly election campaign. AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami and other NDA leaders are expected to share the stage with PM Modi. BJP Tamil Nadu election in-charge Piyush Goyal said the rally was the first step towards ending what he called the DMK’s “corruption-ridden government,” as per news agency PTI.
Reacting sharply, Chief Minister M K Stalin said PM Modi visits Tamil Nadu only during election season and accused the Centre of ignoring key state demands.“Tamil Nadu counts the betrayals of NDA. Prime Minister Modi comes to Tamil Nadu only when the election season comes,” Stalin said in a post on X.Stalin questioned when Tamil Nadu would receive the pending Rs 3,458 crore under the Samagra Shiksha scheme, when assurances on delimitation would be given, and when the “anarchy” of the Governor would end. He also flagged delays in MGNREGA payments, the AIIMS Madurai project, disaster relief funds, metro rail proposals for Coimbatore and Madurai, and reiterated the state’s demand for NEET exemption.
Security has been tightened in Maduranthakam ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit, with elaborate arrangements including a helicopter landing facility in neighbouring Chengalpattu district, officials said, as per PTI.The rally is being projected by the NDA as a show of unity, with leaders from alliance parties attending, as the BJP intensifies its push against the ruling DMK in the run-up to the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
Micron Technology’s $2.75-billion semiconductor facility in Sanand, Gujarat, is expected to begin commercial production by the end of February, IT and electronics minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said. Speaking to ET on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Vaishnaw said that pilot production is already underway at four semiconductor plants, with one now ready to shift to full commercial operations in the third week of February. “I can share some good news. The four plants that started pilot production in recent months…one of which is going to start commercial production in the third week of February, I just met its CEO and he’s very happy with the work that has happened in India. This is in Sanand, the Micron plant,” he said. Vaishnaw further acknowledged the complexity of semiconductor manufacturing, calling it among the hardest industrial challenges.
He added that the country’s approach has been to focus on problem-solving, “we are very cognisant of the difficulty involved in semiconductor manufacturing. That’s why we are keeping our heads down and solving every problem as it comes. The industry is very satisfied with our problem-solving approach,” Vaishnaw said.According to the minister, global semiconductor firms are increasingly viewing India as a destination not only for design but also for advanced manufacturing. He said that industry leaders at a Davos roundtable highlighted that the “most complex chips” are now being developed in India, including two-nanometre nodes, and as the manufacturing capability is increasing, companies may also manufacture those chips in the country.“Yesterday, at a roundtable, practically every semiconductor industry leader they are now designing end-to-end products in India, and the most complex chips, including two-nanometre nodes, are being designed in India end to end. Now that manufacturing capability is coming up, they want to manufacture those chips in India,” Vaishnaw said.He also pointed to a defined roadmap for technology progression in Indian chipmaking. “We have set a very clear path, from 28-nanometer to 7-nanometer, to 3-nanometer, to 2-nanometer node. That path is clearly laid out. After six decades of persistence, this is finally giving results,” he said.
Vaishnaw linked India’s semiconductor ambitions to the strength of its strategic partnerships, especially when it comes to securing critical minerals such as rare earths. He said the key challenge is not availability but processing and extraction capabilities.“This is a very important topic. Rare earth availability is very large, there is no shortage. What is important is to be able to process them, extracting the elements from the minerals available in nature. That’s where we need collaboration with multiple countries, so that we are able to create that ecosystem which can process the minerals,” he said, adding that many sectors depend on rare earths.While answering whether India can secure the rare earths required for semiconductor manufacturing and the wider electronics ecosystem, Vaishnaw described mineral supply as inherently multilateral, requiring multiple countries to play complementary roles. “The mineral value chain will always remain a multilateral value chain. It will have multiple players as part of the value chain. Some things will come from one country, others from another country. What is important is to build alliances,” he told ET.He noted that India has built semiconductor development partnerships with several regions and countries. “That’s why we have alliances with the US, with Germany, with Japan. We now have alliances with South Korea and with the entire EU for semiconductor development,” Vaishnaw said.
In the midst of geopolitical uncertainty, Vaishnaw said India’s focus is on building dependable partnerships rooted in trust. “What’s important is to create relationships based on trust. That’s what Prime Minister Narendra Modiji has done over the last 11 years. The relationships that we have developed are relationships of trust, where we co-create, co-develop, and add value to each other. These are the relationships that will sustain in this turbulence,” he said.Asked about US President Donald Trump’s speech at the WEF, Vaishnaw said the global environment is entering a turbulent phase, making economic and technological resilience crucial. “The entire world is bracing for a very turbulent period, and we are a very, very responsible country. It’s very important to have resilience built into our economy, into our society, into our country,” he said, listing resilience across technology, defence, research and development, and trade as key focus areas.Vaishnaw also shared what he believes are the key discussions shaping this year’s Davos agenda. “There are two major themes out here. One is, as AI models become commoditised, which they have, how the value will come out of AI? The second is, in this entire geopolitical and geo-economic turbulence, how will countries respond?” he said.In his message to the business community attending Davos, Vaishnaw said investors are increasingly viewing India as a stable and trusted partner in global supply chains. “The entire world is looking at India as a trusted value chain partner, as a country that is growing consistently, as a country that is having inclusive growth, as a democracy that is led by a leadership that is focused on making sure every section of society grows with the growth of the country,” he said. He also added that India’s pace of technology adoption and adaptability are among the factors driving investor confidence.
MUMBAI: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is poised to take the Mumbai mayor’s post for the first time since the 1980s, with the party narrowing its choice to several women corporators. The post was reserved for a woman from the open category in a draw of lots held on Thursday by the Urban Development Department.
Party insiders say the selection will balance organisational priorities with electoral strategy, as the BJP returns to the mayor’s chair after nearly 40 years — the last BJP mayor being Dr Prabhakar Pai in the 1980s. Other names in contention include Tejasvee Ghosalkar from Dahisar, a former Shiv Sena (UBT) corporator seen as a tactical choice linked to deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde’s plan to mark the birth centenary of late Bal Thackeray. Additional possibilities include Harshita Narvekar from Fort, Priti Satam from Goregaon, Yogita Koli from Malad, Shital Gambhir from Mahim, and Swapna Mhatre from Bandra West.
MUMBAI: A four-year-old girl attending a pre-primary school in Badlapur was allegedly molested by the private school van driver, following which Badlapur police registered a case against the accused and arrested him. Enraged locals vandalised the van after learning about the incident.The incident came to light on Thursday afternoon when the girl, a student at a private English school in Badlapur, did not return home at the usual time (12.30 pm), leaving her parents worried. The girl reached home about an hour later. When questioned by her family, she initially did not say anything, but she appeared visibly distressed. After repeated questioning, the girl revealed that the school van driver had molested her, police.(The victim’s identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme court directives on cases related to sexual assault)
