Maharashtra's caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has reportedly demanded the Chief Minister's post during his meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the formation of a new government. He has also put forth three key demands, including the support from women voters, Marathas, and OBC communities, for the success of the Mahayuti alliance in the state assembly election. In case the BJP doesn't agree to Shinde's demands, Shiv Sena with its 57 MLAs is ready to offer outside support to a BJP-NCP government.
Maharashtra Political Crisis: Eknath Shinde Demands CM's Post
Maharashtra's political landscape has taken a dramatic turn with caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde reportedly demanding the Chief Minister's post in exchange for his support in forming a new government. Shinde, who belongs to the Shiv Sena party, met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss the matter.
Background
The political crisis in Maharashtra erupted after the death of former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray in June 2022. Shinde, along with a group of 40 Shiv Sena MLAs, rebelled against Thackeray and formed his own faction. This led to a split in the Shiv Sena and the collapse of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, which comprised the Shiv Sena, the NCP, and the Congress.
Shinde's Demands
According to reports, Shinde has put forth three key demands during his meeting with Shah:
Shinde believes that these demands are essential for the success of the Mahayuti alliance in the upcoming state assembly election. The Mahayuti alliance is a coalition of the BJP, Shiv Sena (Shinde faction), and other smaller parties.
BJP's Response
The BJP has not yet publicly responded to Shinde's demands. However, sources within the party indicate that the BJP is willing to consider Shinde's request for the Chief Minister's post if he can guarantee the support of a majority of MLAs.
Shiv Sena's Position
If the BJP does not agree to Shinde's demands, the Shiv Sena (Thackeray faction) has indicated that it is ready to offer outside support to a BJP-NCP government. This would prevent the BJP from forming a government on its own, as it currently has only 106 MLAs in the state assembly.
Top 5 FAQs
Eknath Shinde is a Shiv Sena leader and the current caretaker Chief Minister of Maharashtra.
The political crisis in Maharashtra was triggered by the rebellion of Eknath Shinde and a group of 40 Shiv Sena MLAs against Uddhav Thackeray.
Shinde is demanding the Chief Minister's post, support from women voters, and support from Marathas and OBC communities.
The BJP has not yet publicly responded to Shinde's demands.
The Shiv Sena (Thackeray faction) is ready to offer outside support to a BJP-NCP government if the BJP does not agree to Shinde's demands.
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his virtual address to participants of the Smart India Hackathon, highlighted the crucial role of the country's youth in driving innovation and progress. He emphasized the need to invest in their resources for building a developed India, including initiatives like the National Education Policy and Atal Tinkering Labs. He also announced the upcoming "Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue" in 2025, where young Indians will share their ideas for shaping the country's development.
President Donald Trump has raised eyebrows by hinting at a potential third term in office during a speech to House Republicans. However, as per the 22nd Amendment of the United States Constitution, a President can only hold office for two terms. If Trump wants to run again in 2028, he would have to scrap this provision, something that experts believe is unlikely to happen. Here's a closer look at the constitutional safeguards and the possibility of Trump running for a third term in the future.
The City of Wilmington is asking for public input as it finalizes its Greater Downtown Plan. With over 2,700 residents already providing feedback, the city is seeking additional input to ensure the plan aligns with community desires. The plan aims to address growth and resident concerns through equitable strategies and actionable steps, with a focus on local character, economy, small business, and mobility. Residents can provide feedback through a survey until December 13th.
During a select committee, New Zealand's Trade Minister Todd McClay took responsibility for securing a free trade agreement with India by the end of this term. He acknowledged the ambitious promise of Christopher Luxon, the newly appointed Trade Minister, and mentioned that there have been numerous visits between the two countries in the past year. McClay also highlighted the importance of expanding trade deals as part of the coalition's global presence.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed over 1,300 student teams participating in the seventh edition of the 'Smart India Hackathon' and emphasized the importance of innovation and knowledge in shaping the future. He stated that the government is introducing reforms to remove roadblocks for young Indians and has also introduced a new National Education Policy to foster a scientific mindset. This year's hackathon has seen a 150% increase in participation from institutes, showcasing the country's strong potential in the field of technology and innovation.
In a recent judgment, the Supreme Court expressed concern over the rampant misuse of the Indian Penal Code's dowry law, Section 498A. The Court noted that the provision, originally intended to protect women from domestic violence, is increasingly being exploited by some women for personal vendettas against their husbands and in-laws. The Court also observed that vague and generalised allegations during matrimonial conflicts should not lead to the misuse of legal processes. The judgment was made while quashing cases of cruelty and dowry filed by a wife against her husband and in-laws after he sought dissolution of their marriage.
The official Twitter account of Delhi Police faced a cybersecurity threat on Tuesday evening, with hackers briefly taking control of it and changing its name and profile picture. The incident has raised concerns about the vulnerability of high-profile government accounts, and authorities are currently investigating to identify the responsible parties. This comes after a similar hacking incident involving the personal email of Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, and another case where Delhi Police busted a cybercrime racket with links to Chinese handlers via social media.
The Supreme Court has spoken out against the misuse of anti-dowry law, stating that it has become a weapon for women to harass their husbands and families. This statement comes amidst the recent case of a 34-year-old techie who committed suicide due to alleged harassment by his wife. The court has emphasized that while the law was made to protect women, it should not be used to fulfill unreasonable demands or personal disputes. This raises concerns about the misuse of judicial processes and the need for proper investigation of allegations.
A viral video of Bengaluru engineer Atul Subhash's in-laws responding aggressively to reporters has sparked outrage on social media. Subhash tragically took his own life after allegedly facing harassment from his estranged wife and her family. The video shows his brother-in-law and mother-in-law shouting and threatening reporters, leading to calls for their employer, Accenture, to fire them. The incident has reignited conversations about the importance of media freedom and the need to hold those in positions of power accountable.
Protests turned violent in Parbhani, Maharashtra after an unidentified person damaged a replica of the Constitution held by the statue of Babasaheb Ambedkar. The agitators demanded strict punishment for those responsible and the police had to use tear gas shells to control the crowd. Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi president Prakash Ambedkar showed his support for the protesters and warned of consequences if the miscreants were not arrested within 24 hours. Meanwhile, Minister of State for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju accused the Congress of diverting attention from the George Soros controversy by attacking Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar.