As the Maharashtra Assembly elections approach, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has ramped up its campaign with the slogan ‘batenge toh katenge’ (If divided, we perish), aimed at invoking Hindu unity. However, Ajit Pawar, a prominent leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and an alliance partner of BJP in Mahayuti, has voiced strong opposition to the slogan, asserting it will not resonate with the people of Maharashtra.

Ajit Pawar’s Response to BJP’s Campaign Slogan

Maharashtra Deputy CM, Ajit Pawar stated that he did not support the slogan, which has been echoed by BJP leaders such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maharashtra leader Devendra Fadnavis.

“I have said this several times. It will not work in Maharashtra. This may work in UP, Jharkhand, or some other places,” Pawar told India Today.

The slogan, first introduced by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and BJP leader Yogi Adityanath in the wake of anti-Hindu violence in Bangladesh, has become a central element of the BJP’s campaigning in Maharashtra.

Ajit Pawar, who is set to contest the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections 2024 from Baramati, emphasised that the focus in Maharashtra should be on development. “We should be concentrating on ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas’, not divisive politics,” Pawar told India Today, distancing himself from BJP’s polarising narrative.

‘Batenge toh katenge’ faces backlash

The BJP’s slogan has faced criticism not only from Ajit Pawar but also from the opposition, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accusing the BJP of promoting divisive politics. Congress, in particular, has condemned the slogan as an attempt to pit one religion against another.

Ajit Pawar, a seven-time MLA and former Deputy Chief Minister, pointed out that Maharashtra’s political culture is shaped by figures like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj, and Mahatma Phule, who stood for unity and social harmony. “You cannot compare Maharashtra with other states; the people of Maharashtra do not like this,” Pawar said in response to CM Adityanath’s rally.

Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024: A New Battle

This year’s Maharashtra Assembly elections, scheduled for November 20, will see the Mahayuti alliance, consisting of the BJP, Shiv Sena (led by Eknath Shinde), and Ajit Pawar’s NCP, face off against the Maha Vikas Aghadi, which includes Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena, Sharad Pawar’s NCP, and Congress.

The elections have become even more significant due to the split within regional parties, with Ajit Pawar and his uncle, Sharad Pawar, leading separate factions of the NCP.

For Ajit Pawar, this election is personal as he faces his uncle’s faction and the larger challenge of establishing his leadership credentials. Despite the recent split, Ajit Pawar has maintained that his decision to part ways with Sharad Pawar was not a mistake. “I did not leave him. All the MLAs wrote to him and he gave his permission,” Ajit Pawar told Hindu.

The Maharashtra Assembly election, marking the first since the vertical split of the Shiv Sena and NCP, is set to be a decisive moment for the state’s political future. Ajit Pawar’s NCP will contest 56 of the 288 constituencies, and the results, to be counted on November 23, will determine which faction emerges dominant.

Bandra Terminus Stampede: On Sunday, chaos erupted at Bandra railway station in Mumbai when a stampede occurred as passengers hurried to board the Gorakhpur-bound Antyodaya Express. Hitting out at Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader said, “Wish the reel minister was a rail minister for once. The incident at Bandra only reflects how incapable the current Railways Minister is.”

Reports indicate that nine people were injured during the incident, highlighting ongoing concerns about passenger safety during peak travel times.

Bandra Terminus Stampede: Political Reactions

Aaditya Thackeray seized the opportunity to criticise Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, stating, “The incident at Bandra only reflects how incapable the current Railways Minister is.” Thackeray further mocked the minister’s focus on promotional activities, suggesting, “Wish the reel minister was a rail minister for once.”

“The BJP has made Ashwini Vaishnav ji, a prabhari for BJP Maharashtra for elections, but every week there are some incidents and accidents that occur with the railways. Such a shame that our country has been forced under such incapable ministers.” Thackeray added.

Thackeray’s sentiments were echoed by MP Sanjay Raut, who accused Vaishnaw of prioritising the bullet train project over the safety of Mumbai passengers. He lamented, “Passengers in Mumbai are being ignored” amidst the ongoing railway incidents.

Bandra Terminus Stampede: Details of the Incident

The stampede took place around 2:45 AM on platform number one as passengers attempted to board the moving train, which was slowly making its way from the Bandra Terminus yard to the platform. According to the Western Railway, “During this time, some passengers on the platform attempted to board the moving train, leading to an accident where two passengers fell and got injured.”

Despite the Western Railway reporting only two injuries, local authorities, including the Mumbai disaster control cell, confirmed that nine individuals suffered injuries during the rush.

Bandra Terminus Stampede: Injuries and Ongoing Treatment

Among those injured are Shabhir Abdul Rehman (40), Parmeshwar Sukhdar Gupta (28), Ravindra Harihar Chuma (30), Ramsevak Ravindra Prasad Prajapati (29), Sanjay Tilakram Kangay (27), Divyanshu Yogendra Yadav (18), Mohammad Shareef Shaikh (25), Indrajith Sahani (19), and Noor Mohammad Shaikh (18). Reports indicate that Sahani and Noor Mohammad Sheikh are in critical condition and receiving treatment at Bhabha Hospital.

Bandra Terminus Stampede: Safety Warnings and Festival Travel

In light of the incident and the upcoming Diwali and Chhath festivals, the Western Railway is operating over 130 special trains to accommodate the surge in passenger numbers, especially towards Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

However, the railway authorities have urged travellers to adhere to safety protocols: “Passengers are advised not to board or alight from moving trains, as it is dangerous.”

NCP नेता बाबा सिद्दीकी की मुंबई में गोली मारकर हत्या कर दी गई है. बताया जा रहा है कि बाबा सिद्दीकी पर 5 राउंड फायर किए गए, इसमें तीन गोलियां बाबा सिद्दीकी को लगीं. बाबा सिद्दीकी शनिवार की शाम निर्मल नगर स्थित अपने ऑफिस में बैठे थे, जब वह ऑफिस से बाहर निकले और गाड़ी में बैठे, तभी पटाखे चलने की आवाज आई. पटाखे की आवाज के बीच हमलावरों ने उन पर ताबड़तोड़ गोलियां बरसा दीं.

जानकारी के मुताबिक बाबा सिद्दीकी 9.15 से 9.20 मिनट के बीच ऑफिस से निकले थे, वह अपने ऑफिस के पास पटाखे फोड़ रहे थे, तभी अचानक गाड़ी से तीन लोग उतरे. ये तीनों हमलावर अपने चेहरे पर रूमाल बांधे हुए थे. इसके बाद उन्होंने बाबा सिद्दीकी पर फायरिंग की. एक गोली बाबा सिद्दीकी के सीने में लगी. गोली लगते ही वह गिर पड़े. इसके बाद लोगों ने उन्हें तुरंत लीलावती अस्पताल में भर्ती कराया. सूचना मिलते ही पुलिस मौके पर पहुंची. पुलिस ने 2 संदिग्धों को हिरासत में लिया है. पुलिस का कहना है जल्द ही तीसरे संदिग्ध को भी हिरासत में लिया जाएगा.हिरासत में लिए गए दोनों संदिग्ध महाराष्ट्र से बाहर के हैं, एक यूपी से और एक हरियाणा का रहने वाला है. एक और वांछित संदिग्ध फरार है.

इस घटना के बाद डिप्टी सीएम देवेंद्र फडणवीस लीलावती अस्पताल पहुंचे, जहां उन्होंने घटना का जायजा लिया. उन्होंने कहा कि हम कड़ी कार्रवाई करेंगे, अपराधियों को छोड़ा नहीं जाएगा. वहीं डिप्टी सीएम अजित पवार ने अपने कल के सभी कार्यक्रम रद्द कर दिए हैं. 

महाराष्ट्र के पूर्व मंत्री बाबा सिद्दीकी ने इसी साल कांग्रेस पार्टी से इस्तीफा दिया था,करीब 48 साल तक कांग्रेस का सदस्य रहने के बाद उन्होंने पार्टी छोड़ी थी. उनके इस फैसले ने सबको चौंका दिया था. इस्तीफा देने बाद उन्होंने कहा था कि ऐसा बहुत कुछ है, जिसे वह व्यक्त करना चाहेंगे, लेकिन जैसा कि कहा जाता है कि कुछ चीजें अनकही ही रह जाएं तो बेहतर है.

बांद्रा पश्चिम से तीन बार विधायक रहे बाबा सिद्दीकी पूर्व राज्य मंत्री (फूड एण्ड सिविल सप्लाइज) थे. वे महाराष्ट्र हाउसिंग एंड एरिया डेवलपमेंट अथॉरिटी के मुंबई डिवीजन के अध्यक्ष भी रह चुके थे. उन्होंने राजनीति की शुरुआत एक छात्र नेता के रूप में की थी और पहली बार बीएमसी में Corporator के रूप में चुने गए थे. बाबा सिद्दीकी 1999, 2004 और 2009 में बांद्रा पश्चिम से महाराष्ट्र विधानसभा का चुनाव जीते थे. हालांकि 2014 के विधानसभा चुनाव में उन्हें मुंबई बीजेपी अध्यक्ष आशीष शेलार के सामने हार का सामना करना पड़ा था.