Mumbai, July 6 (IANS) Confounding the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) allies, the Congress on Saturday invited applications from prospective candidates for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections, along with a steep application fee.

State Congress vice-president Nana Gawande has issued a circular to this effect to all the district party units and other officials with the relevant instructions.

The non-refundable application fee would be Rs 20,000 for general category candidates, and Rs 10,000 for SC/ST and women candidates, and it is also open to others to submit their applications as per the prescribed rules.

All the applicants – new or party veterans – must submit their papers along with the fee to the district party offices or the regional office before August 10.

A similar drive has been launched in Haryana and Jharkhand. It was intended to throw up ‘good candidates ’whom the party leadership can consider for giving tickets, said an official.

A senior Congress leader said that the applications have been invited from all the 288 assembly seats.

On whether the Congress initiative could clash with the claims of ticket aspirants from the MVA allies Shiv Sena (UBT), Nationalist Congress Party (SP), and other alliance partners, the leader replied in the negative.

“This is a democratic attempt to bring up noteworthy candidates with extraordinary leadership qualities from among the lakhs of party activists spread all over Maharashtra, give them due prominence and if possible field them in the elections with full backing,” he explained, declining to be named.

Along with the party’s internal drive, Gawande said that the Election Commission of India (ECI) would be launching a program to update/revise the voters’ lists from July 25.

Accordingly, the party has called upon all Congress workers to ensure that all the eligible persons in their areas are included, particularly new voters (aged above 18) in the revised voters’ list as per the instructions of state Congress president Nana F. Patole and AICC General Secretary Ramesh Chennithala.

–IANS

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Seraikela (Jharkhand), July 6 (IANS) Days after resigning as the Jharkhand chief minister, JMM leader Champai Soren said on Saturday that he would have done more for the development of the state if he had got some more time.

While talking to the media, Champai Soren, who reached his assembly constituency Seraikela for the first time after resigning from the CM’s post, said, “All the wishes of a person who wants to work are never fulfilled. I tried to do good work as CM. We brought many schemes for people of all castes and communities. I am satisfied with the work I was able to do in a short period of time.”

The JMM leader named several public welfare schemes that he started during his nearly five-month tenure as Jharkhand CM.

He said that after Jharkhand became a separate state, the development did not happen the way should it have happened.

“Whatever decision is taken in the party and organisation, it has to be accepted. Whatever decision has been taken about me, I will work according to it. Whether I remain in office or not, I will continue to serve the public,” the former CM added.

Champai Soren reluctantly resigned on July 3 after being taken aback by the party’s decision. He reportedly had concerns about being replaced as the CM months before the upcoming Assembly elections in Jharkhand.

Champai Soren was opposed to the hasty decision with which the change was made.

–IANS

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New Delhi, July 6 (IANS) Newly-elected British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Saturday welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership on key global challenges as both leaders spoke over the phone following Friday’s results of the UK general elections which handed the Labour Party a landslide victory.

“The Prime Minister said he looked forward to further deepening the strong and respectful relationship between both countries, and welcomed Prime Minister Modi’s leadership on key global challenges, such as climate change and economic growth,” the British PM’s office said in a statement after the call.

It also mentioned that the two leaders discussed the importance of the living bridge between the UK and India, the 2030 roadmap, and agreed that there was a wide range of areas across defence and security, critical and emerging technology, and climate change for the two countries to deepen cooperation on.

“Discussing the Free Trade Agreement, the Prime Minister said he stood ready to conclude a deal that worked for both sides,” Starmer’s office stated.

As both leaders agreed to work towards the early conclusion of a mutually beneficial India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), PM Modi also extended an invitation to Keir Starmer for an early visit to India.

PM Modi congratulated Starmer on his and the Labour Party’s “remarkable victory” in the general elections.

“Pleased to speak with Keir Starmer. Congratulated him on being elected as the Prime Minister of the UK. We remain committed to deepening Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and robust India-UK economic ties for the progress and prosperity of our peoples and global good,” PM Modi posted on X after the call.

Both leaders recalled the historic relations between the two countries and reaffirmed their commitment to further deepen and advance the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and the UK.

“Appreciating the positive contributions of the Indian community in the social, economic, and political development of the UK. The two sides agreed to continue to promote close people-to-people ties. Both leaders agreed to remain in touch,” the Indian Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a statement.

–IANS

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Pune, July 6 (IANS) NCP (SP) Working President Supriya Sule on Saturday said that the Maharashtra government should release a white paper on corruption in the state.

“Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis must release a white paper on whether the 50 to 100 MLAs and MPs who have joined the MahaYuti are corrupt. He is the only person who can answer this question because he is the Home Minister of Maharashtra and he was the first person to raise these allegations,” Sule said while speaking to reporters after newly elected MP Ravindra Waikar was given a clean chit in a corruption case.

She criticised the ruling BJP for its alleged hypocrisy and corruption and demanded from the Deputy Chief Minister.

Sule also accused the BJP of a duplicitous approach where it first raises corruption allegations against political opponents, then welcomes them into its fold, and eventually elevates them to ministerial or legislative positions.

“This is like a washing machine. This means only two things: that corruption is acceptable to the BJP and that they are making corruption legal in India,” she said.

Sule also accused the BJP of using the ICE model – Income Tax, CBI and ED – to gain political influence in Maharashtra. She referenced the use of these agencies in various cases, including those involving Ashok Chavan, NCP (SP) leaders, and most recently, Ravindra Waikar.

In a sharp critique of the MahaYuti government in Maharashtra, Sule described it as an “MBBS government” – Mahagai (inflation), Berozgari (unemployment), and Bhrashtachari (corrupt) Sarkar.

She questioned the coalition’s stability and unity, asking, “How many engines does the MahaYuti government have? I thought they were a triple-engine government, but now they call themselves a double-engine government.”

Sule predicted a change in the state’s leadership, stating, “The government in Maharashtra will change in October.”

–IANS

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Mumbai, July 6 (IANS) Amid increase in the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across several fields, the Maharashtra Police have integrated AI to expeditiously solve various crimes, including burgeoning cyber and financial crimes, with the establishment of the Maharashtra Research and Vigilance for Enhanced Law Enforcement (MARVEL).

The company’s mandate is to strengthen intelligence capabilities and improve the state police’s ability to predict and prevent crimes using AI.

According to the state government, Maharashtra is the first state in the country to create such an independent entity for law enforcement.

The government will provide 100 per cent share capital to MARVEL for the first five years, amounting to Rs 4.2 crore annually.

The first installment of this share capital has recently been distributed, marking a significant step towards modernising law enforcement in the state.

On March 22, 2024, a tripartite agreement was signed between the Maharashtra government, the Indian Institute of Management Nagpur, and Pinaka Technologies Private Limited to establish ‘MARVEL’.

The company is registered under the Companies Act 2013, aiming to enhance law enforcement capabilities in Maharashtra through advanced AI technologies.

The integration of AI into the police force is expected to benefit crime-solving and prevention efforts by teaching machines to analyse information and mimic human thought processes.

Additionally, analysing available data can help predict potential crime hotspots and areas prone to law and order disruptions.

A Home Department officer said that Pinaka Technologies Private Limited, a Chennai-based company with experience in providing AI solutions to entities such as the Indian Navy, the Intelligence Department of Andhra Pradesh, the Income Tax Department, and SEBI, is collaborating on this venture.

The ‘MARVEL’ office is situated within the premises of the Indian Institute of Management in Nagpur, leveraging the institute’s expertise.

While Pinaka will deliver AI solutions tailored to the police force’s needs, the Indian Institute of Management Nagpur will collaborate on research and training initiatives.

The Superintendent of Police, Nagpur (Rural), and the Director of Indian Institute of Management Nagpur, will serve as ex-officio directors of the company.

Additionally, the Director of Pinaka Technologies Private Limited will also come on board.

The Superintendent of Police, Nagpur (Rural), will hold the ex-officio position of Chief Executive Officer.

(Sanjay Jog can be contacted at sanjay.j@ians.in)

–IANS

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