MK Stalin inaugurates mini TIDEL park in Karaikudi

Mumbai, Aug 20 (IANS) Shiv Sena(UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) alliance failed to secure any seats in the BEST Credit Society elections. Out of 21 candidates, the panel led by labour leader Shashank Rao won 14 seats, and the panel led by BJP legislator Prasad Lad secured seven.

It was the maiden test for the estranged Thackeray brothers, who had come together on the Hindi language issue, and later decided to stay together in view of the upcoming elections to the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation.

However, the Thackeray brand has failed to show magic in the BEST elections. It has come as a major blow to both brothers, who are gearing up for the BMC elections. The BJP-led Mahayuti has said that it will win the civic body elections this time.

The five-yearly elections of The Best Employees Co-op Credit Society Ltd were held on Monday. Despite heavy rain, the workers responded overwhelmingly, and a voter turnout of 83 per cent was recorded.

This election was considered to be prestigious for the Thackeray brothers and the BJP, especially MLA Prasad Lad, who had, from day one of the campaign, claimed that the Thackeray brand wouldn’t work and they would not be able to win a single seat.

It was expected that there would be a major fight between the Thackeray brothers and MLA Prasad Lad in this election, as both groups were claiming victory on social media. However, the real contest took place between Prasad Lad’s panel and Shashank Rao’s panel.

Most of the members of Shiv Sena(UBT)’s labour wing, Kamgar Sena, are members of this credit union, and therefore, the Thackeray brothers were optimistic of scoring a victory. However, due to a lack of preparation, the Kamgar Sena fought the elections, hoping that the Thackeray brand would work and they would be able to ride to victory on the alliance between the two brothers. The Kamgar Sena even nominated a woman activist from the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.

The Shashank Rao panel and Prasad Lad panel, during their campaign, flagged the alleged irregularities committed by the outgoing board of directors, dominated by the Kamgar Sena.

This election was considered a rehearsal for the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation elections. Therefore, the results of this election attracted the attention of not only BEST workers but also political circles and workers from Shiv Sena(UBT) and MNS and also from the BJP.

The election was held at 35 centres, including all the BEST centres and offices. The counting of votes was to take place at 9 a.m. on Tuesday at the Wadala depot. However, due to the rain, the counting officials could not arrive on time. Therefore, the counting of votes began after 2 p.m. The counting of votes continued till late at night. Since there were a total of 35 centres and 150 candidates, the counting of the ballot papers was delayed. The election results were announced on Wednesday morning.

Meanwhile, the BJP has targeted the Thackeray brothers after their alliance failed to win a single seat in the Best Credit Society elections. BJP legislator Prasad Lad, in his post on X, taunted, “Thackeray” brand 21 faced 000, 00/21, meaning the brand’s boss could not win a single seat…”

On the other hand, state BJP chief spokesperson Keshav Upadhye in his post on X said, “If you add up two zeros, where one has nothing left to lose and the other has nothing left to gain, and no matter how many zeros you add to them, the answer to that math is zero, what will happen if you don’t recognise the answer that even unschooled children know?… To find the answer to this question, look at the election results of ‘Best Kamgar Patpedhi’! Till yesterday, two zeros were challenging us to measure our worth, today they have realized their worth!!”

–IANS

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Bengaluru, Oct 13 (IANS) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has clarified that there is no connection between dinner meeting organised for the Cabinet ministers on Monday and speculations about the possible Cabinet reshuffle within the Congress government in the state.

He was speaking to the media in Bagalkot.

Siddaramaiah clarified that there is nothing special about today’s (Monday) dinner meet and that it has no connection with the Cabinet reshuffle in the state.

He added that there will be no “revolution” in November, referring to the change in Chief Ministerial position in Karnataka.

The Congress-led state government is completing half its term in November this year and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s supporters are claiming that he will become the Chief Minister of Karnataka for the rest of the tenure.

Reacting to Shivakumar’s statement that any change within the state leadership depends on the decision of the Congress high command, Siddaramaiah said that the opinion of senior party leaders and MLAs is important.

There must be consensus among Congress MLAs along with the blessings of the party’s high command, he added.

Commenting on the query of whether a ministerial position would be given to members of the Valmiki community, Siddaramaiah said that some Congress MLAs had resigned from their positions and that the state government had not removed them.

He assured that during the upcoming Cabinet reshuffle, the possibility of providing representation to the Valmiki community will be considered.

Speaking about the Krishna Upper Bank project, he said that adequate grants will be allocated to ensure its completion within the next four years.

State Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, while talking about rumours surrounding the dinner meet, said, “We are expecting a good dinner menu at the Chief Minister’s residence. There will be discussions as well but I do not know the agenda of the dinner meet. There will be discussion on the matters pertaining to the state and the country. Even I am curious. This is a cordial meet and the media will also come to know what is discussed in the dinner meeting.”

Amid the leadership row in the state, Siddaramaiah is set to host a dinner meeting for the Congress Ministers in Bengaluru late on Monday.

The political development, coming at a time of speculation over the leadership change in the state and strong rumours of a Cabinet reshuffle, has assumed significance.

The dinner meet is being organised at the Chief Minister’s official residence — Cauvery in Bengaluru at 7 p.m.

Siddaramaiah has invited all his Cabinet Ministers, and several Ministers have openly confirmed their attendance.

However, Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar has not yet responded to the political development.

–IANS

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Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 23 (IANS) The arrival of 500 ships in ten months proves the importance of Vizhinjam, India’s first deep-water, multi-purpose, container transshipment port, in global cargo shipping.

“Achieving this remarkable feat in just ten months since launching operations is truly noteworthy,” said Kerala Ports Minister V.N. Vasavan on Tuesday, as Vizhinjam International Seaport scripted a new chapter in India’s maritime history.

Developed and operated by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ), Vizhinjam handled its 500th vessel on Tuesday, coinciding with another landmark — the berthing of MSC Verona with a draft of 17.1 metres, the deepest draft container vessel ever serviced at an Indian port.

Vasavan noted that “with MSC Verona anchoring at 17.1 metres, Vizhinjam has created two records in a single day, growing steadily with firm steps.”

Since commencing commercial operations in December 2024, Vizhinjam has handled 1.1 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), already surpassing its projected annual capacity.

Of the 500 vessels serviced so far, 28 were Ultra Large Container Vessels (ULCVs) — the highest number received at any single Indian port.

Highlighting the pride the port evokes among Malayalis worldwide, Vasavan added, “No matter which part of the world one travels to, the sight of the tagline ‘Vizhinjam – Thiruvananthapuram – Kerala – India’ brings immense pride to every Malayali.”

Industry experts underline that Vizhinjam’s natural advantages, 18-20 metres of depth and minimal littoral drift, make it uniquely positioned to handle the world’s largest container ships.

Located close to major east-west shipping lanes, the port is rapidly emerging as India’s premier deep-water transshipment hub, reducing reliance on foreign ports and strengthening the nation’s presence in global trade routes.

With milestones coming thick and fast, Vizhinjam continues to cement its reputation as the ‘Wonder Port of India’, underscoring India’s evolving maritime prowess and expanding economic horizons.

The port is located close to the famed beach destination, Kovalam, located about 14 km from the state capital city.

–IANS

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