‘Look Who’s Talking’: MVA Netas Question Modi Over Austerity Appeal Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leaders launched a sharp critique of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, accusing him of hypocrisy and policy failures for his recent appeal to conserve fuel amid the West Asia crisis. The criticism came as part of a broader backlash against Modi’s call for citizens to reduce travel and cut fuel consumption, with MVA leaders arguing that the government’s own practices contradict its messaging. Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) chief spokesperson Atul Londhe accused Modi of failing to lead by example, pointing out that the Prime Minister’s own travel habits—such as using large convoys and holding roadshows—undermine his appeals for austerity. “In the morning, the Prime Minister asks people to save fuel and use public transport, but by evening he is holding roadshows,” Londhe told The Times of India. He further criticized the Centre’s foreign policy, alleging that it has weakened India’s ties with Iran and Russia, depriving the country of access to cheaper oil through rupee-based trade arrangements. “The government appears to be bending before the United States despite the economic costs,” he added. MPCC president Harshwardhan Sapkal went a step further, labeling Modi a “compromised PM” and urging citizens not to bear the burden of the Centre’s failures. Sapkal argued that if Modi is genuinely committed to austerity, he and his ministers must adopt the same measures. “If the PM is serious about austerity, he and his ministers must practise it first,” Sapkal said, highlighting Modi’s continued use of large motorcades and extravagant events.#narendra_modi #harshwardhan_sapkal #maharashtra_pradesh_congress_committee #atul_londhe #mva_netas
High turnout, but ballot shortage allegations cast shadow over DBA polls The District Bar Association (DBA) elections in Nagpur on Friday saw a high voter turnout, but concerns over mismanagement, including a reported shortage of ballot papers, raised questions about the electoral process. With 84% of eligible voters casting their ballots for 17 positions, the participation rate marked a slight increase from the previous election’s 82.31%. Out of a total electorate of 3,390 lawyers, 2,848 exercised their right to vote in a largely peaceful process that spanned from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The election covered key roles such as president, secretary, two vice-presidents, two joint secretaries (one reserved for women), a librarian, a treasurer, and nine executive committee members, comprising six men and three women. Despite the high turnout, allegations of logistical shortcomings emerged. Lawyers claimed the poll panel had printed only around 2,800 ballot papers, far below the number of voters. “Midway, there was chaos for some time. The poll panel then hurriedly printed additional papers that saved the day. However, the papers were like pamphlets and lacked serial numbers, which is mandatory,” a senior lawyer said, requesting anonymity. Another lawyer echoed the concern, stating that the panel should have printed more ballots than the actual number of voters, a standard practice in elections. “The same thing took place in the 2014 DBA polls, and we flagged it then,” another lawyer noted. Amol Patne, a poll panel member, dismissed the allegations, attributing the issue to a printer error. “The error was from the printer’s part, but there was no shortage,” he told The Times of India. Voting continued after additional ballot papers were arranged, though some voters expressed frustration.#nagpur #district_bar_association #amol_patne #abhijit_wanjarri #atul_londhe
