Former Congress leader Narayan Rane announces his new party

Agencies
October 1, 2017

Mumbai, Oct 1: Nearly two weeks after quitting the Congress party, senior leader Narayan Rane on Sunday announced the formation of his new party, named Maharashtra Swabhiman Paksha. While Rane was mum over whether he would back the ruling NDA,  he did announce his support for the bullet train project and backed the development agenda of the BJP. This pointed towards his possible support to the ruling alliance in the near future.

Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Rane took potshots at the Shiv Sena, while sparing the BJP from criticism. "Shiv Sena will never leave power until it has been voted out by the voters," Rane said on the party's constant threats to pull out of the Maharashtra government.

Criticising Sena supremo Uddhav Thackeray for his salvos against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and NCP supremo Sharad Pawar, Rane said, "Who is Uddhav to talk about these elected leaders. Udhhav is just the leader of the Shiv Sena. He has no credentials to criticise them."

Slamming the Shiv Sena for playing the role of an opposition while still being in power, Rane said, "Shiv Sena does not want to think before speaking. They just want to criticise the BJP."

"If Shiv Sena wants to protest against BJP, then why are they coming on streets," Rane said adding that not a single Sena Cabinet minister raised any issue in the Assembly or in the Cabinet.

Recalling the Shiv Sena's stance over demonetisation and the GST rollout, Rane said, "Shiv Sena has a minister at the Centre but did your minister protest against it?"

Speaking on the Fadnavis government's farmer loan waiver scheme, Rane questioned Shiv Sena ministers and claimed that the party leaders has never given any assurance in writing on the loan waiver.

Rane also attacked the Sena over its doublespeak on corruption, drawing attention to the party's 25-year rule in the BMC.

"The BMC is the most corrupt institution in India. So, Uddhav has no right to talk on corruption," Rane said.

Rane claimed that the constant bickering between the Shiv Sena and the BJP is affecting Maharashtra's economic development.

The former Mahrashtra chief minister's political career with Congress party was always under a question mark after he gave repeatedly hinted of taking a "big decision" on his future. Finally on 21 September, Rane announced his resignation from the Congress, a party which he joined after the Shiv Sena shunted him out in 2005.

"I have handed over my resignation to party chief Sonia Gandhi at 2.30 pm today. I have quit as Congress MLC and resigned from all party posts," Rane said.

Rane blamed the Congress' deception for his move. Rane said, "The Congress party repeatedly assured that I will be made the chief minister of Maharashtra when I joined them 12 years ago. But they never fulfilled their promise."

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News Network
November 21,2025

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Udupi: The Malpe Police have arrested two men from Uttar Pradesh for allegedly sharing classified information related to Indian Navy vessels with individuals in Pakistan, posing a serious threat to national security.

According to a complaint filed by the CEO of Udupi Cochin Shipyard, Malpe—an institution under the Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways—the prime accused, Rohit (29), was working as an insulator through subcontractor M/S Shushma Marine Pvt Ltd. He had earlier served at Cochin Shipyard Limited in Kochi, Kerala, where naval ships are under construction.

Udupi SP Hariram Shankar said the accused had unlawfully shared, via WhatsApp, confidential identification numbers of Navy-related ships and other classified details while working in Kerala, allegedly for illegal gains.

After joining the Malpe shipyard unit, Rohit reportedly continued collecting sensitive information through a friend in Kochi and circulated it to unauthorised individuals, violating national security protocols and potentially endangering India’s sovereignty, unity, and integrity.

Based on the complaint, Malpe Police registered a case under Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 3 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923.

A police team led by Karkala Subdivision Assistant Superintendent of Police Harsha Priyamvada—along with PSI Anil Kumar D, ASI Harish, and PC Ravi Jadhav—conducted the investigation and arrested the two accused, identified as Rohit (29) and Santri (37), both residents of Sultanpur district, Uttar Pradesh.

The duo was produced before the court, which remanded them in judicial custody till December 3. Further investigation is in progress.

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News Network
November 21,2025

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An Indian Air Force (IAF) Tejas fighter jet crashed on Friday, November 21, afternoon during its aerial demonstration at the Dubai Air Show, plunging to the ground at around 2:10 pm local time while performing a manoeuvre before thousands of spectators.

The IAF confirmed the incident, stating that a Tejas aircraft participating in the show had crashed and that further details were being gathered. An Air Force spokesperson said more information would be shared after initial assessments.

The crash sent thick black smoke billowing into the sky near the airport, causing panic among visitors, including families and children who had gathered to watch the display. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the pilot managed to eject before the aircraft went down. Emergency response teams rushed to the scene, and officials have not released information on casualties or damage so far.

The Tejas is a 4.5-generation, multi-role fighter aircraft developed indigenously by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Designed for versatility, it is capable of offensive air support, close combat, ground attack missions and maritime operations. The aircraft family includes single-seat fighters and twin-seat trainers for both the Air Force and Navy.

HAL describes the latest version, the LCA Mk1A, as the most advanced in the series, featuring an AESA radar, an upgraded electronic warfare suite with radar-warning and self-protection jamming, smart multifunction displays, a digital map generator, a combined interrogator–transponder system and a modern radio altimeter. These enhancements significantly improve the aircraft’s combat capability and survivability.

Further updates from IAF and UAE authorities are awaited.

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News Network
November 22,2025

Mangaluru: Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy C H has warned of strict action against individuals spreading rumours and attempting to create insecurity within the Muslim community and fuel hatred between Hindus and Muslims through social media.

Referring to a recent social media post alleging that police personnel had entered a masjid premises to check whether beef was being cooked, the commissioner said miscreants were attempting to push their communal agenda. 

“A group of people, both from Mangaluru and abroad, are trying hard to spread rumours. For the past 10 days, they have been attempting to rake up old issues, highlight routine matters as controversies, or fabricate news altogether,” he said.

He reiterated that any such attempts to disturb communal harmony would invite legal action. “Cases will be registered and the accused will be brought to book,” he stated.

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