Maharashtra Leaders Speak At CNN-News18 Townhall Ahead Of Assembly Polls In State | Highlights
CNN-News18 Mumbai Townhall 2024 LIVE: The event this year is set on the theme of 'Road to Delhi via Mumbai?' and invited speakers are engaging in dynamic debates ahead of the elections.
The highly-awaited CNN-News18 Town Hall event, known for its dynamic and thought-provoking discussions, kicked off in Mumbai with political leaders discussing whose party will emerge victorious in the upcoming Maharashtra elections. Over the years, CNN-News18 Town Hall hosted editions across Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and Chennai with the participation of key figures from the space of politics, business, and entertainment converging to debate national interest issues.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis discussed key issues that will influence the upcoming elections in the state. Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole on the other hand talked about how his party plans to mount a challenge to the Mahayuti in the polls.
The event this year, on the theme of ‘Road to Delhi via Mumbai?’, comes at a crucial point when India is set to witness political bustling in the lead-up to assembly elections in Maharashtra. The event will continue the legacy with engaging sessions focused on political and cultural agendas.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is set to lead a conversation on ‘Mahayuti’s Maharashtra Test’, discussing the ruling coalition’s future in the state. Aaditya Thackeray, MLA, Maharashtra (Shiv Sena UBT), deliberated on his views in a session titled ‘Matoshree to Prove Its Might?’, while Supriya Sule MP, NCP (SP) will outline her party’s vision for the upcoming Assembly elections in a session titled ‘Pawar-Play: Maha ‘Binding’ Factor?’
The CNN-News18 Town Hall’s previous editions also featured prominent speakers including Nirmala Sitharaman, S. Jaishankar, Nitin Gadkari, Shashi Tharoor, MK Stalin, Aaditya Thackeray, along with entertainment icons like Kartik Aryan and Sameer Nigam.
'Unfortunate': Supriya Sule On Badlapur Accused's Killing, Says ' Country Runs On Law'
“This country runs on rules of law. Whatever happened in Badlapur was unfortunate. They should have fast-tracked the case and hang him on the India Gate,” Supriya Sule added.
Supriya Sule On Who Will Be BJP's CM Face
“I have seen posters of Fadnavis, Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde for CM,” Supriya Sule said, adding, “BJP generously changes CM every time they go into elections.”
Supriya Sule On Relations Between Thackereys & Pawars: 'We Have Been Friends For 6 Decades'
“Thackereys and Pawars have been friends for around six decades. People of Maharashtra have stood by us always,” Supriya Sule said while speaking at CNN-News18 Townhall.
'Every Project Shinde Touched Got Delayed,' Says Aaditya Thackeray
Attacking the Shinde government, Aaditya Thackeray said, “We have an illegal government in Maharashtra for two years. By the time our government was toppled 82% work of Atal Setu was completed. They stalled it for three months for elections. Every project Shinde touched on has been delayed.”
Aditya Thackeray On Maharashtra Leaders Switching Loyalities To BJP
“What is Devendra Fadnavis’ stand in his own party? The top five leaders in Maharashtra BJP are not from the party from the start. They have been imported,” Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray said.
'We Are Fighting For Maharashtra': Aditya Thackeray
Speaking at CNN- News18’s Townhall, Aditya Thackeray said, “We are not fighting a personal fight…we are fighting for Maharashtra.”
He further attacked the Eknath Shinde faction and said that Maharashtra has not achieved anything in the last two years. “They are only looting Maharashtra,” he added.
'Nazar; I Realised Very Early...': Sonakshi Sinha on Keeping Relationship With Zaheer Iqbal Private
Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal finally opened up about why they chose to keep their relationship under wraps before tying the knot this year. After dating for over seven years, Sonakshi and Zaheer had a registered marriage on June 23 at her home in Mumbai, followed by a grand reception attended by stars like Salman Khan, Huma Qureshi, Rekha and Kajol. READ MORE
‘Whatever Job My Party Gives Me, I’ll Do It’: Patole
Patole says he is mere party worker when asked about him being the chief ministerial face ahead of the elections.
Shivaji Statue Construction Not Adequate: Patole
“The report that has come on Shivaji Statue says that the construction was not adequate. This shows corruption. The current Maharashtra government is No.1 in corruption. They bought MLAs and broke parties,” Patole said.
Alliance Stable, Consensus Reached On 225 Seats: Patole
Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole said the high command of all the three parties in alliance – Congress, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) and Shiv Sena-UBT – will take a call on the chief ministerial candidate.
Did Not Get Tickets Of Coldplay: Fadnavis
Fadnavis said events like Coldplay concerts can fill ‘five stadiums’ and assured that the did not get any tickets for the much-discussed event.
Eknathji With Us Emotionally, We’re With Ajit Dada For Political Reasons, Says Fadnavis
Fadnavis said Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde is emotionally associated with the BJP while the party is with Ajit Pawar for ‘political reasons’.
Vote Jihad Happened In Maharashtra, There Was Revengeful Voting: Fadnavis
“If you analyse, the BJP lost 12 seats with a difference of less than 3%. This is the fake narrative of changing the Constitution and ending reservation (in the works). There was Vote Jihad in Maharashtra and in Dhule there was revengeful voting,” Fadnavis said.
‘Maratha Vote With Us’: Fadnavis
Fadnavis said his party ‘undermined the narrative’. “Maratha vote was with us. They were able to dent our SC and ST votes but this will not happen again in the Vidhan Sabha elections,” the deputy CM said.
‘Never Believe In Fake Encounter’: Fadnavis On Badlapur
“The incident which happened in Badlapur, the accused was shot in an encounter. These things should not be glorified,” Fadnavis said.
Amit Shah Knows Mahayuti Is Losing: Chaturvedi
Chaturvedi said home minister Amit Shah knows the Mahayuti is losing. “Therefore he said Shinde will remain chief minister. Our government, when voted to power, will be stable and corruption-free,” Priyanka Chaturvedi said.
We Would Have Completed Coastline Project: Chaturvedi
“The coastline project was envisioned by UBT. If they would have allowed us to complete our tenure we would have completed it,” she said.
Cadre, People With UBT: Priyanka Chaturvedi
Shiv Sena-UBT leader Priyanka Chaturvedi said the cadre and the people are with the UBT faction of the Shiv Sena.
Shinde Sena Will Emerge Victorious: Deora
Deora says the Sena faction he belongs to, will emerge victorious in the Maharashtra elections.
Minister In PM Manmohan’s Govt Overturned His Decision: Deora
Deora claimed when Dr. Manmohan Singh was the Prime Minister, he gave environmental clearance to Navi Mumbai International Airport. “It made the Atal Setu viable, a minister in his govt overturned that decision,” Deora said.
‘Systemic Disease In Civic Body’: Deora
Deora says improving the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will take time to improve.
‘Ready For Elections’: Deora On BMC Polls
“The elections were due in Feb 2022. The MVA was in power. Why didn’t they call it the elections? We are ready for the elections,” he said.
Uddhav Thackeray’s Sena Used Mumbai Civic Body Like An ATM: Deora
“You can’t change things overnight but the change has begun. For 25-30 years the Uddhav sena used the municipal corporation as an ATM. The pothole debate in Mumbai has reduced because the roads have started to improve,” Deora said.
'Party Which Has Better Strike Rate': Deora When Asked Which Is 'Real' Shiv Sena
“The party I belong to had a better strike rate in lok sabha elections as compared to the Shiv Sena UBT faction. There has been a great deal of progress in the last 2 years,” Deora told attendees at CNN-News18 Town Hall.