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ULHASNAGAR: The first general body meeting of the newly elected Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation turned stormy, with sharp exchanges between ruling Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) and BJP corporators over the long-pending dumping ground issue and persistent water scarcity in the city.The meeting saw intense debate over the dumping ground located in the Khadi quarry area of Ulhasnagar Camp No. 5. Corporators alleged that frequent fires at the site have been releasing toxic smoke, severely impacting nearby residential areas. BJP members claimed that the worsening pollution has forced thousands of residents to migrate, while over 30,000 people continue to face serious health risks. Some corporators even alleged a rise in severe illnesses, including cancer, among locals.During the discussion, BJP corporator Sherry Lund raised concerns over the health of noted Sindhi spiritual leader Sant Devprakash Maharaj, who is currently undergoing treatment at a Mumbai hospital. Lund alleged that doctors have advised the saint against returning to Ulhasnagar due to hazardous pollution near his ashram in the Swami Shantiprakash area.Mayor Ashwini Nikam’s recent visit to the dumping site also came under focus, with corporators pointing out that she experienced breathing difficulties during the inspection, highlighting the seriousness of the issue.Members from BJP, Shiv Sena and Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi jointly demanded immediate relocation of the dumping ground and fulfilment of earlier assurances made by the civic administration.Municipal Commissioner Manisha Awhale informed the house that waste processing at the site has begun and that a collective dumping mechanism is being developed at Badlapur for scientific disposal of garbage.Apart from the heated discussions, the general body meeting also announced the formation of the standing committee, with eight members each from Shiv Sena and BJP being appointed. Additionally, a total of nine special committees were constituted, with representation given to members from both the ruling parties.The meeting also witnessed strong protests over irregular water supply, with corporators alleging mismanagement in valve operations leading to continued shortages across several areas.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Thursday said a “projectile hit” took place near Iran’s Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, striking a structure about 350 metres from the reactor.In a statement posted on X, IAEA director general Rafael Mariano Grossi said the reactor itself was not damaged and no injuries were reported. However, he warned that any attack near nuclear facilities violates key safety principles. “Although there was no damage to the reactor itself nor injuries to staff, any attack at or near nuclear power plants violates the seven indispensable pillars related to ensuring nuclear safety and security during an armed conflict and should never take place,” he said.The agency did not specify the nature of the projectile that struck the area near the Bushehr plant, located on Iran’s Persian Gulf coast, around 480 miles south of Tehran. The facility currently has one operational unit, with two additional Russian-designed units under construction.Iran and Russia have alleged that a projectile struck the premises of the Bushehr nuclear power plant, raising fears of a potential radiological incident amid Tehran’s ongoing conflict with Israel and the United States.While no leakage of nuclear material was reported after the Tuesday evening incident, it has once again highlighted longstanding concerns among Iran’s neighbours that the Persian Gulf facility could be vulnerable to attacks or natural disasters such as earthquakes.Alexei Likhachev, head of Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom, earlier said the strike took place at 15:11 GMT on Tuesday and hit an area close to the plant’s meteorological service, near an operating power unit.He stressed that safety remains the top priority, adding that personnel had already been partially reduced at the site. “The safety of human life is our absolute priority. We had previously partially reduced the number of personnel at the construction site of Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant Units 2 and 3. About 250 employees and their families were safely evacuated from Iran. Children of employees were preemptively evacuated before the armed conflict began. About 480 of our comrades remain there. Preparations for the third personnel evacuation are under way,” he said.Rosatom also condemned the incident, urging all sides to de-escalate tensions around the nuclear facility.The strike comes amid ongoing hostilities after the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28, targeting its leadership and military infrastructure. Iran has since retaliated, and the conflict continues. Grossi has repeatedly called for diplomacy, saying that “to achieve the long-term assurance that Iran will not acquire nuclear weapons and for maintaining the continued effectiveness of the global non-proliferation regime, we must return to diplomacy and negotiations”.Also read: Israel bombs South Pars- Why does this gas field matter so much to Iran — and the world?
The first unit of the Bushehr plant was connected to the grid in 2011. It is a Russian-designed VVER reactor with a capacity of 915 MWe. Two additional VVER-1000 units are under construction, with unit 2 progressing steadily since its first concrete was poured in 2019 and key structural components installed in recent years.Iran has indicated that unit 2 could become operational by 2029. According to Rosatom, work is also ongoing on unit 3. In September 2025, Rosatom and the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran signed an agreement to cooperate on small modular reactors, as Iran aims to expand its nuclear capacity to 20 GW by 2041.
Bushehr, a functioning civilian nuclear power plant, remained untouched during the 12-day Israel-Iran conflict in June. During that period, the US targeted three Iranian nuclear enrichment sites, damaging centrifuges and likely burying Tehran’s stockpile of highly enriched 60% uranium underground. Since then, Iran has restricted access to those sites, blocking inspections by the IAEA.Any strike on an operational nuclear power plant raises the risk of radioactive leakage into the environment, a concern that has loomed large since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, where nuclear facilities have repeatedly come under threat.A potential radiation leak into the Persian Gulf would pose an existential crisis for Gulf Arab nations, many of which depend heavily on desalination plants in the region for their water supply.
The Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA) is set to return with its eighth edition, celebrating the inspiring journeys and achievements of India’s finest athletes across multiple disciplines. The much-anticipated TOISA 2025 ceremony will take place on March 21, 2026, in Lucknow, bringing together sporting icons and emerging stars who made the nation proud over the past year.This edition will recognise athletes across more than 45 sporting categories, honouring performances during the evaluation period from January 1 to December 31, 2025. From global championships to major international tournaments, Indian sport witnessed a remarkable year filled with memorable victories and record-breaking performances.Athletes from the host state, Uttar Pradesh, are well represented in the nominees list across multiple categories, highlighting their growing presence and success at both national and international levels.A total of 15 names have featured in the TOISA 2025 nominees list based on their performances in the 2025 calendar year, including 13 athletes and two coaches.The athletes have been nominated across categories such as cricket, athletics (track and field), hockey, shooting, kabaddi, para archery, para athletics, para chess and para coach, showcasing the breadth of Uttar Pradesh’s sporting excellence.From cricketers like Deepti Sharma, who was named Player of the Tournament during India’s triumphant ICC Women’s ODI World Cup campaign, and Kuldeep Yadav, the Asia Cup’s leading wicket-taker, to athletics nominees Gulveer Singh, Sachin Yadav, Parul Chaudhary and Rupal Chaudhary, Uttar Pradesh athletes have shone on the global stage.Here is the list of Uttar Pradesh athletes and coaches nominated for TOISA 2025::Cricketer of the Year
Athlete (Track & Field) of the Year
Hockey player of the YearShooter of the YearKabaddi player of the YearPara Archer of the YearPara Athlete (Track & Field) of the Year
Para Chess Player of the YearPara Sportsperson of the YearPara Coach of the Year
GUWAHATI: The Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday released its first list of 88 candidates for the upcoming Assam Assembly elections, scheduled for April 9, 2026. The party has held back one name for Sissiborgaon constituency.One of the biggest highlights of the announcement is the inclusion of Pradyut Bordoloi, the former Congress MP who joined the BJP on Wednesday. Bordoloi has been fielded from the high‑profile Dispur constituency, marking a high‑visibility contest in the state capital.
Besides Bordoloi, another ex‑Congress leader, Bhupen Kumar Borah, former PCC chief has also been fielded in Bihpuris. He switched to BJP few weeks back.Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma will seek re‑election from Jalukbari, a seat he has held since 2001. According to seat‑sharing within NDA coalition BJP will contest 89 seats, while its allies Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) will contest 26 and 11 seats respectively. BJP clarified that the UPPL is no longer part of the alliance, though it will independently contest 15 The 126‑member Assam Assembly goes to polls in a single phase on April 9, with vote counting scheduled for May 4.
For nearly a decade, India believed it had ended one of the most visible symbols of political privilege — the red beacon light. The decision in 2017 to ban “lal batti” vehicles was presented as a cultural shift, not merely a traffic reform. It was meant to send a simple message: no public office-holder was above the ordinary citizen on the road.Yet in March 2026, a single image circulating on social media brought the debate back with unexpected force. The photograph showed the official vehicle of Mumbai mayor Ritu Tawde fitted with red-and-blue flashing lights — the kind normally seen only on police or emergency vehicles. Within hours, the image triggered criticism online, questions from activists, and eventually a political confrontation inside the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.The civic body later removed the lights from mayor’s car as well as other vehicles allotted to office-bearers. But by then the issue had already evolved into something larger than a technical violation. It had reopened a national conversation about VIP culture, legal authority and the continuing gap between official rules and everyday practice.
On March 11, a user on X uploaded a photograph of the official vehicle used by Mumbai mayor Ritu Tawde. The image showed the car fitted with red-and-blue flashing lights — the kind most citizens associate with police vehicles, ambulances and other emergency services.
The caption, “Does the Mumbai Mayor’s vehicle have permission to install police red-blue lights??,” simply asked whether the mayor’s car had permission to use such lights. But the question struck a nerve immediately.Within hours, more users began sharing the image. Some questioned whether the use of police-style flashing lights was legal. Others asked why an elected civic official needed a beacon at all when the Union government had already banned red-beacon culture years ago. The tone of the debate shifted rapidly from curiosity to criticism.
The first public reaction came from social media users who openly questioned whether the mayor’s car was authorised to use red-and-blue lights. A user identified as @shivsainik007 asked whether the police had granted permission for the lights to be used on the mayor’s vehicle. Soon after, other users — including civil-society groups and activists — raised similar questions. Some pointed out that even the escort vehicle accompanying the mayor appeared to have similar flashing lights installed.The controversy moved beyond social media when RTI activist Anil Galgali formally wrote to the mayor and raised the issue. In his letter, he argued that the use of red-and-blue lights on the mayor’s official vehicle as well as the escort vehicle appeared to be unauthorised. He also referred to the instructions issued by the Union government in 2017, which clearly restricted the use of beacon lights to emergency services.The letter also demanded immediate action. Galgali argued that the matter should be taken seriously because it involved a violation of rules that had been introduced precisely to eliminate VIP culture.At that point, the controversy was no longer limited to online criticism. It had become a formal administrative issue.
As the debate intensified, officials in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation confirmed that flashing lights had indeed been installed on the mayor’s official vehicle. They also stated that similar lights had been installed on other vehicles used by civic office-bearers, including the deputy mayor and the leader of the house.The BMC on March 14 removed these flashing lightsfrom the mayor’s car.
BMC
These were not traditional red beacons mounted on the roof — the symbol that had dominated Indian politics for decades. Instead, the lights were mounted on the front of the vehicle and flashed in red and blue, resembling the lights used by police vehicles.Officials later said the lights were removed after the issue came to their attention. But by the time the lights were taken off, the political and public reaction had already begun.
Mayor Ritu Tawde responded to the controversy by describing the issue as an administrative lapse. She said the vehicle had been provided by the civic administration and that she had not demanded any beacon or flashing lights.
The BMC on Saturday, March 14, removed the red and blue flashing lights installed on the official vehicle of Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde and the escort vehicle accompanying her, following a controversy over their use.
Her argument, as mayor, she used the official vehicle that was allotted to her. If the vehicle had equipment that was not legally permitted, it was the responsibility of the administration to ensure compliance with the rules before handing it over.She also made it clear that she had no personal interest in using a beacon and that the matter had been exaggerated by political opponents. But the controversy did not end there. Instead, it quickly turned into a political confrontation.
The strongest criticism came from opposition leaders inside the civic body. Former Mumbai mayor Kishori Pednekar accused the ruling party of bringing back VIP culture despite the Union government’s decision to end it. She questioned whether the mayor believed she was entitled to privileges that even senior national leaders had given up after the 2017 ban.Other opposition figures also criticised the use of flashing lights and argued that it reflected a mindset rather than a mistake. According to them, the problem was not the beacon itself but what it represented — the idea that political authority must be visibly displayed.
The issue gained further attention when Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis commented on the controversy. He said the mayor should not be blamed and that the beacon had not been installed in the traditional way on the roof of the vehicle. According to him, the mayor was fully aware of the rules and was being unfairly targeted.This intervention was politically significant because it shifted the debate from legality to intent. Supporters of the mayor argued that the controversy was being exaggerated for political gain, while critics insisted that the issue should be treated seriously regardless of intent.
For decades, the red beacon was one of the most visible symbols of power. It signalled authority on the road and often allowed vehicles to move faster through traffic. Over time, the number of officials using beacon-fitted vehicles increased dramatically. What had once been limited to a few high-ranking positions gradually expanded to include a wide range of political and administrative posts.Public resentment grew because the beacon came to represent inequality. Ordinary citizens were forced to stop in traffic while political leaders moved freely. Critics argued that the system created a psychological gap between public representatives and the people they represented.
The turning point came in 2017 when the Union government announced a complete ban on the use of red beacon lights on vehicles used by public officials. The decision was presented as a major step towards ending VIP culture.Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised that every citizen should be treated equally and that public office should not be associated with visible privilege. From May 1, 2017, beacon lights were allowed only for emergency services such as police vehicles, fire brigades and ambulances.The decision was widely welcomed by the public. For many people, it symbolised a shift away from old political traditions that emphasised hierarchy and privilege.
The rules governing beacon lights are contained in the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. For many years, these rules allowed both the Centre and the states to authorise the use of red beacon lights on vehicles used by certain high-ranking officials.Over time, the list of people entitled to use them grew steadily. Ministers, judges, senior bureaucrats and even local-level officials in some states were seen using beacon-fitted vehicles.Public criticism increased as the number of such vehicles grew. Courts also expressed concern that the practice created unnecessary traffic disruption and reinforced a culture of privilege.The turning point came after the Supreme Court issued strong observations in 2013 urging the government to restrict the use of red beacons. Following that, the Union government decided in 2017 to completely ban the use of red beacon lights on vehicles used by public officials — including the President, the Prime Minister and chief ministers.The political message behind the decision was clear. When Narendra Modi announced the ban, he described it as a step towards ending VIP culture and emphasised that every citizen should be treated equally on the road.From May 1, 2017, red beacons were permitted only for emergency services such as police vehicles, fire brigade vehicles and ambulances. The rules also restricted the use of multi-coloured flashing lights, which are typically associated with law-enforcement and disaster-response vehicles.In simple terms, civic office-bearers such as a city mayor are not legally entitled to use such lights.
The Mumbai episode is only the latest in a long list of similar incidents that have occurred even after the 2017 ban.In 2017 itself, shortly after the ban came into force, the Regional Transport Office in Mumbai reportedly issued a notice regarding the use of a red beacon on the official vehicle of then mayor Vishwanath Mahadeshwar. That episode demonstrated how difficult it was to completely eliminate a practice that had existed for decades.
Another controversy surfaced in early 2025 in Punjab. In January that year, an RTI activist filed a formal complaint against Vaneet Dhir, alleging that the mayor was using a government-allotted vehicle fitted with red-and-blue beacon lights, a police-style siren and even an official flag. The complaint, submitted to the state governor and the director general of police, argued that the use of such symbols was a direct violation of the Union government’s 2017 decision to abolish VIP beacon culture.
According to the activist, the mayor’s vehicle had been equipped with these accessories without authorisation, despite clear rules stating that flashing red or blue lights can only be used by emergency and disaster-response vehicles.
If the controversy involving Mumbai mayor Ritu Tawde reopened the debate locally, the case of Pooja Khedkar had already revived the issue nationally years earlier.Khedkar was not a senior bureaucrat, not a minister, and not even a confirmed IAS officer at the time. She was a probationary officer — someone still undergoing training and expected to follow the strictest administrative discipline.
Yet in 2024, images surfaced online showed a private vehicle allegedly being used by her fitted with a red-and-blue beacon and even a government-style insignia. The vehicle reportedly displayed markings that suggested official authority, something that is clearly restricted under existing rules.The reaction was immediate and far stronger than in earlier cases of beacon misuse. What angered many people was not just the use of a flashing light, but what it appeared to symbolise — a sense of entitlement before even formally entering public service. Critics argued that the 2017 ban had been introduced precisely to eliminate such displays of power, especially by young officials who were expected to represent a new administrative culture.
The controversy soon expanded beyond the vehicle itself. Questions were raised about the use of special privileges during training, the display of official symbols, and whether the rules governing government vehicles were being followed properly. The case quickly became a national story because it touched a deeper anxiety: if a probationary officer could appear to claim VIP privileges, what did that say about the success of the 2017 reforms?The government responded by transferring Pooja Khedkar from her posting, and the incident became one of the most widely discussed examples of how the red-beacon culture still survives in different forms.
Another aspect of the controversy is the question of responsibility.Mayor Ritu Tawde said the vehicle had been provided by the administration and that she had not demanded a beacon. If that is correct, the issue raises broader questions about how official vehicles are prepared and whether existing rules are being properly followed by departments responsible for protocol.Critics argue that even a minor lapse can undermine the credibility of the 2017 reform. Supporters of the mayor argue that a mistake by the administration should not be turned into a political controversy.
Nearly nine years after the red-beacon ban came into force, the expectation was that the practice would gradually disappear. Instead, occasional controversies continue to surface across states and institutions.Each time a new case emerges, it reminds the public that the struggle against VIP culture is not only about legal rules but also about political behaviour and public perception.The controversy surrounding the mayor’s vehicle in Mumbai may have ended quickly once the lights were removed, but the debate it triggered is likely to continue.(With inputs from Richa Pinto)
Middle East conflict impact on India: The government is looking at the creation of a specialised fund to assist insurers offering war-risk coverage for ships operating on routes to and from India through conflict-affected waters in West Asia. Ongoing disruptions linked to the Iran conflict have unsettled trade movements, while global reinsurers have withdrawn from the region, making cargo transport both more expensive and harder to insure.Under a proposal being reviewed by the finance ministry, domestic insurers could be enabled to provide cover for vessels navigating high-risk areas such as the Strait of Hormuz, supported by a government-backed reinsurance mechanism designed to absorb potential losses, sources told ET.“We are examining if a fund can be created as reinsurance is not available in the region,” a government official said. The proposed arrangement would effectively act as a backstop, helping insurers secure reinsurance support at a time when international players are staying away.An industry executive noted that the structure could mirror the Marine Cargo Excluded Territories Pool introduced in 2022 following the Russia-Ukraine conflict and related sanctions.This pool, overseen by the state-run General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re), offers insurance coverage for marine cargo shipments of fertilisers and other goods originating from designated “excluded territories,” including Belarus, Ukraine and Russia.Such shipments are typically excluded from coverage by global insurers due to war-related risks and international sanctions. The existing pool comprises 21 members and provides a capacity of ₹484 crore per shipment.Under the current framework, GIC Re, acting as the pool manager, works with an underwriting committee to approve coverage for additional commodities when required. It accounts for the largest share of capacity at 51.6 percent and receives a 2.5 percent management commission on the original gross premium after adjusting for obligatory cessions.According to a government official, multiple options are under consideration, with any decision on establishing such a facility likely to be taken only after the Strait of Hormuz route reopens. The final decision regarding its structure, size, and institutional placement will depend on these developments.Another person familiar with the matter said the proposed pool could be housed within state-run insurers led by GIC Re, with an estimated corpus of around ₹1,000 crore.The proposed mechanism may also extend coverage to crude oil shipments moving through the Strait of Hormuz, in addition to other cargo, the person added. “This is being discussed so as to ensure the continuity of cover for India-bound cargo, as most global insurers have withdrawn the cover,” the person said.Industry stakeholders, including exporters and shipping companies, have in the past advocated the creation of such a facility.
The Delhi High Court on March 16 dismissed a plea filed by former actor Celina Jaitly, who had sought assistance in establishing contact with her brother, Vikrant Jaitly. Vikrant has been in detention in the United Arab Emirates since September 6, 2024, and has reportedly refused to communicate with her. The court said that he is currently in UAE and has explicitly stated during consular interactions that he does not wish to communicate with his sister. He has also, for now, refused legal representation, indicating that any decisions going forward will be made by his wife.Two days later, on March 18, Celina shared an emotional note on social media, offering her perspective on the situation and suggesting that her brother’s silence could be an attempt to protect her. Posting a picture with him, she wrote, “The last I have spoken to my brother was on 23 August 2024 few days before he taken (6 September 2024) where in he was held in secret detention until end of May 2025. Thereafter, he was remitted to a detention centre in the Middle East where he has been held now for almost 18 months, without formal proceedings, and access to him has been limited and controlled.“
Reflecting on his decision not to stay in touch, she added, “I cannot speculate on what my brother may have been advised or told in detention. He is extremely protective of me and has no visibility of what is happening in the outside world. Given my current circumstances, it is possible that he may have received partial information and is trying to shield me from further financial and emotional strain. In such circumstances, any decision taken by a detainee must be viewed in context. I believe he has, on occasion, also refused to speak to other kin and has said that he does not wish to speak to her or anyone else.”Emphasising her concern, Celina clarified that her legal efforts were never about personal interests but about her brother’s welfare. “The only matter that has deeply concerned me throughout all of this has been his physical and mental well-being. This writ was never about me. It was always about ensuring the possibility of meeting and speaking to my brother and, above all, that proper legal representation be appointed for him.“She also expressed gratitude towards the Indian authorities for their continued involvement. “I am grateful that the Government of India has had nine consular accesses with him since June 2025 and has conveyed that they will continue to encourage him to accept legal aid whenever he and his wife are ready. I remain thankful that the State continues to look into his well-being while further recourse is being pursued. My only intention has always been his safety, legal protection, and dignity. I respect that he may be trying to protect me in his own way. However, I will continue to stand by him and ensure that he is not left without proper legal representation.”Concluding her note on a deeply personal note, she wrote, “Until I am able to see my brother and speak to him directly, there is nothing that I can conclusively adhere to… I know my brother.. He is my first baby. I stand by him till my dying breath!”During the March 16 hearing, the court was informed that Vikrant had chosen not to communicate with his sister and preferred that any legal decisions be taken only after consulting his wife. Authorities also told the court that while he had been granted consular access, he had declined legal assistance, according to Bar and Bench.
DOMBIVLI: Dombivli came alive with colour, tradition and excitement on the occasion of Gudi Padwa, as a grand around 3-km-long shobha yatra was held, continuing a 27-year-old legacy of celebrating the Marathi New Year in a vibrant manner.Organised by the Ganesh Mandir Sansthan along with the Navvarsh Swagat Yatra Coordination Committee, the procession saw participation from thousands of citizens dressed in traditional attire.BJP state president Ravindra Chavan and Kalyan Lok Sabha MP Shrikant Shinde were also present, joining residents in the celebrations.The procession, which passed through key routes including Phadke Road, featured elaborate tableaux showcasing themes rooted in Hindu culture, with a prominent “Vande Mataram”-themed float drawing attention.This year’s highlight was a specially designed tableau depicting major development projects in the Kalyan Lok Sabha constituency. Conceptualised under the initiative of MP Shrikant Shinde, the development-themed float offered a visual representation of ongoing and upcoming infrastructure projects in the region. A striking model of a proposed double-decker transport corridor—with roads and flyovers on the lower level and a metro line on the upper deck—emerged as a key attraction, giving a glimpse into the future of urban mobility.The tableau also included replicas of the ancient Khidkali Shiv Temple, currently undergoing beautification, and a super-speciality cashless hospital in Ulhasnagar, which has reportedly provided free treatment to thousands of patients over the past two years. In addition, models of the Sant Sawalaram Maharaj Mhatre Sports Complex, aimed at providing world-class facilities to youth, and the Agri-Koli Warkari Bhavan at Betawade were showcased.Thousands of onlookers gathered along the route to witness the procession, which began at Bhagshala Maidan and moved through Pendharkar College, Subhash Road, Madan Chowk and other key junctions before culminating at Phadke Road. Dhol-tasha troupes, folk performances and participation by Marathi film actors added to the festive fervour.Speaking to the media, MP Shrikant Shinde said the tableau was aimed at presenting a glimpse of ongoing efforts towards the holistic and rapid development of the constituency.Gudi Padwa marks the beginning of the Marathi New Year and symbolises victory, prosperity and new beginnings. Celebrations typically include hoisting a ‘Gudi’, making rangoli, and preparing festive delicacies such as puran poli.Regarded as one of the most prominent Gudi Padwa celebrations in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, the Dombivli shobha yatra once again reflected the city’s rich cultural heritage while highlighting its aspirations for modern development.
NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday announced its list of 88 candidates for the upcoming Assam assembly elections, with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma set to contest from his traditional Jalukbari seat.The name of the candidate from Sissiborgaon constituency has been withheld. Under the new seat sharing arrangement, BJP will contest 89 seats, AGP 26, and BPF 11 in the 126-member assembly. Among prominent candidates, Pradyut Bordoloi, who days before quit as Congress Lok Sabha MP to join the BJP, has been fielded from the Dispur assembly constituency.Assam Assembly Speaker Biswajit Daimary will contest from the Tamulpur (ST) seat, while another leader of switched sides from Congress to BJP Bhupen Borah has been nominated from Bihpuria. Borah also served as Congress Assam chief. The list includes several key names and signals a mix of continuity and change, with the party dropping 11 sitting MLAs and fielding only five women candidates.The announcement comes after the Election Commission declared the poll schedule last week. Voting for the 126-member Assam assembly will be held in a single phase on April 9, with counting slated for May 4.The BJP is seeking to retain power in the state, with Sarma aiming for another term as chief minister. In the 2021 elections, the National Democratic Alliance, comprising the BJP, Asom Gana Parishad and United People’s Party Liberal, secured 75 seats, with the BJP winning 60.With an eye on consolidating the NDA before polls, the BJP on Tuesday brought back Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) into its fold after five years and firmed up seat-sharing with AGP, even as its current partner in govt, Bodoland-based United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL), left the NDA earlier, citing ideological differences. The opposition Congress has already announced candidates for 65 constituencies as part of its alliance strategy, with state chief and Congress deputy leader in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi leading the campaign.
