Analysis: BJP’s bid to break NCP, Congress’s control over western Maharashtra
The Hindu
BJP leader Kirit Somaiya’s recent charges of a multi-crore money laundering scam against senior NCP leader and Minister Hasan Mushrif is a pointer: observers
BJP leader Kirit Somaiya’s recent allegations of aagainst senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and Maharashtra Minister Hasan Mushrif reflect a larger struggle on the BJP’s part to break the stranglehold of the NCP and the Congress in the sugar belt of western Maharashtra, say observers.
Mr. Somaiya has accused Mr. Mushrif, a five-time MLA and an influential leader from Kolhapur, of being embroiled in a ₹127 crore money laundering scandal as well of irregularities to the tune of ₹100 crore in a cooperative sugar factory owned by him. Mr. Mushrif has denied all accusations.
The election authorities are gearing up for the counting of votes cast in the simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and Assembly seats in Andhra Pradesh, scheduled to be held on June 4. The Collectors and Election Officers of Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli and Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) districts said on May 23 (Thursday) that their teams were ready for the counting of votes.
Responding to the prolonged water scarcity, the residents of the area took to the streets in protest on Wednesday. The protest, which drew attention to their plight, stopped only after the intervention of the police. It was not until 1.30 p.m. that a 4000-litre tanker was finally delivered by BWSSB, providing relief to the water-starved residents.