Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024 Highlights: Pawar criticizes project shift to Gujarat and rising lawlessness in Maharashtra

Former Union minister Smriti Irani on Saturday countered Congress leaders' claim on fulfilling pre-poll commitments in Telangana, Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka and accused them of trying to sow hatred in the run-up to Maharashtra elections. Irani alleged that Congress spreads lies to grab power and resorts to looting and dividing people after forming governments. Read on

At a rally in Latur, Pawar criticized the shift of Maharashtra’s projects and industries to Gujarat, questioning if the Prime Minister prioritizes only Gujarat. He highlighted rising crime, inflation, and injustices against women as signs of misgovernance and expressed concern over ruling-party MLAs allegedly threatening violence, reflecting a decline in law and order.

At a Latur rally, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar criticized the BJP-led Mahayuti government, accusing it of neglecting farmers and youth unemployment. He condemned policies like soybean imports and export bans on sugar and onions, which he said have caused significant losses for local farmers and weakened Maharashtra’s agricultural sector.

PM Modi accused Congress of pushing Pakistan’s agenda in Jammu and Kashmir, alleging the party operated its own "parallel Constitution" and harbored disdain for Dr. BR Ambedkar's Constitution.

Addressing a campaign rally in Akola for the November 20 state assembly elections, PM Modi recalled the SC verdict on Ram Temple from November 9 five years ago.

“On this day in 2019, the Supreme Court of the country gave its verdict on Ram Temple. This date of November 9 will also be remembered because after the decision of the Supreme Court, people of every religion showed great sensitivity,” Modi said. “This feeling of nation first is the biggest strength of India,” he added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized Rahul Gandhi over the “fake copy of the Constitution” issue, stating that the Congress had insulted both the Constitution and Dr. BR Ambedkar.

Imtiyaz Jaleel, AIMIM's candidate for the Sambhajinagar East seat, faces a tough election with rivals from the Mahayuti, Maha Vikas Aghadi, and Samajwadi Party. Though Aurangabad has been renamed Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jaleel highlights that other city improvements remain pending. Previously a journalist, Jaleel transitioned into politics under Asaduddin Owaisi’s guidance, becoming AIMIM’s Maharashtra chief and winning a Vidhan Sabha seat, making AIMIM’s first entry into the Maharashtra assembly. Later, he was elected as Maharashtra’s only AIMIM MP in 2019. Read more

Maha Vikas Aghadi will win Maharashtra assembly polls with full majority and our opponents will not be able to divide us, says Mallikarjun Kharge in Nagpur.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that wherever a Congress government is formed, that state becomes the ATM (Automated Teller Machine) of the party’s ‘shahi parivar’.

“We won’t let Maharashtra become the ATM of Congress,” Modi said, addressing a campaign rally in Akola for the November 20 state assembly elections.

“I challenge the shahi parivar of Congress to prove if they ever visited Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar’s panchteerth,” Modi said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "Congress is well aware, the more the country weakens, the more they will strengthen. 'Jab Congress mazboot hogi, desh majboor ho jaega'... Congress creates a divide between various castes. It never let our castes unite... If our castes do not stay united and stay conflicted with each other, Congress will take advantage of it. Congress will take away the rights of SCs... This is their conspiracy and character. You have to stay aware. Remember, 'Ek hai toh safe hai'..."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "... Wherever Congress forms government, that state becomes an ATM for the Congress' royal family... These days, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana have become their ATMs. In the name of elections in Maharashtra, they have looted Rs 700 crores from liquor sellers in Karnataka... You can imagine the loot once they win the elections..."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "... When you visit other villages and meet people if you see a family still living in a temporary house or hut, send his name and address to me. And assure him of a permanent house on my behalf... 'Mere liye aap hi Modi hain'. You promise him, and I will fulfil the promise."

Wherever Congress government is formed, that state becomes ATM of the party’s ‘shahi parivar’, says PM Modi at Akola rally

Addressing a rally in Akola, Maharashtra, PM Modi said that opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi means corruption and scams of thousands of crores of rupees.

The District Information Office in Maharashtra's Thane has come out with a digital flip-book which will serve as a comprehensive reference tool for media personnel and citizens for the November 20 assembly elections.

The flip-book, titled 'Assembly General Election 2024 Backgrounder', was unveiled by Collector and District Election Officer Ashok Shingare at his office on Friday.

The flip-book provides historical and candidate-wise voting statistics for various constituencies in Thane, covering elections from 1962 to 2019. Thane District Information Officer Shivaji Sanap headed the project.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday hit out at Uddhav Thackeray for `abandoning' the principles of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray, and claimed the Maha Vikas Aghadi government had been formed against the people's wishes.

Speaking at a campaign rally in Satara in support of Shambhuraj Desai ahead of the November 20 state assembly elections, Shinde also said the higher "strike rate" of the Shiv Sena led by him in the Lok Sabha polls proved `whose Shiv Sena is the real one'.

Police have seized more than Rs 3.70 crore cash from a van in Palghar district of Maharashtra amid the code of conduct in place for the November 20 assembly polls, an official said on Saturday.

The cash was seized at Wada in the coastal district on Friday, police inspector Datta Kindre said.

"The police's vigilance and flying squad received a tip-off that a van was transporting cash through the district. Based on the information, the team intercepted the van and carried out a check, during which it found that Rs 3,70,50,000 cash was being transported. The driver and security personnel failed to produce valid documents required for the transportation of the cash," he said.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has said he did not request Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hold a campaign rally in his Baramati constituency because the fight there is within the family.

Pawar, the sitting MLA, is contesting against his nephew Yugendra Pawar, the candidate of the rival Nationalist Congress Party led by Sharad Pawar.

The prime minister would be holding campaign rallies for the November 20 Maharashtra assembly elections starting Friday.

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray unveiled his party's manifesto for the Maharashtra assembly polls on Thursday, promising scrapping of controversial Dharavi redevelopment project, extending free education scheme for male students, and stabilising essential prices. The manifesto, released at Thackeray's residence 'Matoshree' here, also promises that every district in Maharashtra will host a temple dedicated to Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Releasing the manifesto, he emphasised that while many of the promises align with the broader assurances of the opposition alliance, Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), certain points warranted special focus.

Thackeray, whose party is part of the MVA alongside the Congress and Sharad Pawar's NCP (SP), noted that the Opposition coalition's own manifesto will follow in anticipation of the November 20 elections.

Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole on Friday said the Mahayuti government's policies have caused immense hardships to common citizens and there was a need to overthrow it and bring the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) to power in the state.

He was addressing a rally at Nilanga in the district to garner support for Congress candidate Abhay Salunke ahead of the November 20 assembly polls.

"Farmers are struggling as their crops are not getting a fair price. Issues of law and order persist and women are not safe in the state. Unemployment and rising inflation are major issues being faced by the people. Hence, the goal is to replace the Mahayuti alliance with the MVA," Patole said.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Friday hit out at the Shiv Sena (UBT) over its poll symbol 'flaming torch', stating that it was a medium to set houses on fire and create a rift among communities.

He also alleged that those born with a silver spoon in their mouth will not understand the value of Rs 1,500, the amount of monthly financial assistance being given to eligible women under the Ladki Bahin Yojana.

Shinde was speaking at Paranda in Dharashiv district during an election rally to campaign for his party Shiv Sena's candidate and Health Minister Tanaji Sawant.

The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi included the Ladki Bahin Yojana of the Mahayuti government after the scheme became a hit with masses, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said on Friday.

Addressing a poll rally in Shivajinagar, the CM also said if the MVA government was not brought down in 2022, the state could have gone back by 10-15 years.