Maharashtra
Isolated Chavan
With speculations of Congress leaders such as state Leader of Opposition Radhakrisha Vikhe-Patil and Narayan Rane may join BJP, former CM Prithviraj Chavan remains the only one who is effectively countering the Devendra Fadnavis government. However, BJP has rendered him supportless in his hometown Karad. Chavan had toiled hard to get his supporters elected as corporators in Karad’s municipal council. However, most of them are likely to join BJP soon.
Gujarati Shiv Sena
Though Shiv Sena is known for advocating the Maratha cause, it is now wooing Gujarati voters who form a sizable chunk in Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation wards. In Mira-Bhayander municipality in Thane district where Municipal Corporation elections will be held on August 20, Yuva Sena secretary Pravesh Sarnaik addressed public rallies in Gujarati. He said the party needs to widen its base as one-third of Sena candidates are non-Maharashtrians, and Gujaratis are in majority.
Northeast
Cabinet Expansion: 50 for 8
The Sarbananda Sonowal ministry in Assam will be expanded by August 15, if the BJP is to be believed. The party says its president Amit Shah will finalise the names of MLAs to be inducted into the ministry. Eight ministerial berths are vacant and there are some 50 aspirants. The ministry has not been increased despite the BJP giving several dates for its expansion in the past.
The Missing Road
It’s a tale of a “missing” road in Nagaland’s commercial hub Dimapur. The Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) received information through an RTI that nearly `20 crore was released to a contractor to “improve” the 3-km road in the town. Documents show the repair work as complete, but the road remains the same. The ACAUT wondered how the improved road disappeared overnight.