“If the BJP is to be defeated, Opposition parties must remain together and consolidate the public anger against the ruling dispensation,” said Prithviraj Chavan, senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister of the state, ehile speaking to the media at Ravi Bhavan on Monday. Prafulla Gudadhe, City Congress President; Atul Londhe, spokesperson; and Rajendra Mulak, senior Congress leader were also present for the press conference. Chavan, in his address, asserted that Opposition unity was essential to defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), while raising concerns over recent political developments involving NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, questioning the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, and criticising the Centre’s ethanol-blending policy.

 

He also said the INDIA alliance remained intact despite speculation triggered by recent meetings between Pawar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. When asked about Sharad Pawar’s recent interactions with BJP leaders, Chavan said, “What is happening within the NCP or what Sharad Pawar’s agenda is, only they know.” Referring to political rumours, he remarked, “Secret meetings are never known. Only open meetings come to light. Friends in the ruling party tell us that after splitting Uddhav Thackeray’s party, there are plans to split the NCP as well.” The senior Congress leader also questioned the voter verification exercise being carried out under the SIR programme. Claiming that duplicate entries had surfaced in electoral rolls, he said several voters were found enrolled in more than one constituency. “My constituency had around 3.15 lakh voters.

 

We found instances where the same voter was registered in multiple constituencies. Such irregularities have now come to light,” he said. Chavan further questioned unusually high increases in voter turnout, alleging that the process of identifying and retaining voters required closer scrutiny.Launching a sharp attack on the Centre’s ethanol-blending programme, Chavan claimed motorists were facing reduced mileage and technical issues in vehicles. “I am a science student and an engineer. Vehicles are developing problems and mileage is falling. The Government has itself acknowledged this,” he said. Referring to earlier claims that ethanol blending would reduce fuel prices, Chavan added, “People were told petrol would become cheaper.

 

That has not happened. People are being misled and Nitin Gadkari should apologise to the public.” On recurring examination paper leaks and recent student protests, Chavan alleged that an organised nexus was operating with political patronage. “The issue is not how severe the punishment is, but whether punishment is actually enforced,” he said. He also called on the Government to publicly disclose any assurances given to Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange-Patil, saying transparency was necessary in the public interest. 

 

 

Former chief ministers Prithviraj Chavan and Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil were granted bail by a city court on Monday in connection with a 2020 Congress protest at Samvidhan Chowk. Judicial Magistrate First Class Chintamani granted them regular bail. Both leaders appeared before the court personally. The case relates to alleged violation of police directions, arguments with cops and traffic obstruction during the protest. After the protest, 60 to 70 activists allegedly gathered outside the RBI main gate. They raised slogans and clashed with police. Some also tried to climb the RBI gate. Police later filed a charge sheet against the leaders and other activists under various sections of the IPC and Maharashtra Police Act. Chavan and Vikhe Patil furnished a Rs 5,000 cash security each. The court granted bail on a personal bond of Rs 15,000 each. Police are searching for other accused.