Mumbai News Updates: Maharashtra reports 299 Covid-19 cases, two deaths

Maharashtra on Friday reported 299 new coronavirus infections and two deaths, the state health department said. It took the caseload in the state to 81,67,166 and death toll to 1,48,534. There are 2,475 active Covid-19 cases in the state now. On Thursday, Maharashtra had reported 361 new cases and four fatalities. As per the report, Mumbai circle reported the highest 171 cases followed by 58 cases in Pune circle, 44 cases in Nagpur circle, 10 cases in Kolhapur circle, eight cases in Nashik circle, five cases in Latur circle, two cases in Aurangabad circle and one case in Akola circle. Pune and Mumbai circles reported a single fatality each. (PTI)

A fire broke out at a bar-cum-restaurant in the Upavan area in Thane on Friday evening, a civic official said. The restaurant is located in a four-storey building and the fire spread to a flat on the first floor, causing panic among residents. The blaze was put out after an hour and no one was reported injured, the official said. A blast in an AC unit might have been the cause, he said, adding that probe was on. (PTI)

Sharad Pawar's decision to remain NCP chief will energise party workers, strengthen Maha Vikas Aghadi: Ajit Pawar. (PTI)

Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde on Friday denied reports that he recently met Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray's wife Rashmi. "Some news channels have broadcast reports of my meeting with Shrimati Rashmi Thackeray and her son. These reports are completely baseless and no such meeting has taken place," he tweeted. Shinde's son and Kalyan MP Shrikant Shinde too took to Twitter to rubbish these reports. (PTI)

On the absence of Ajit Pawar from a press conference where NCP chief Sharad Pawar withdrew his resignation, party leader Jayant Patil says, "Ajit Pawar was there to urge him to withdraw the resignation. He was there even when we visited Pawar Sahab's residence after the decision was taken at the party office. Even I didn't know about the press conference, I reached a little late. Not everyone was told." (ANI)

Others are here. Committee took this decision and after their decision, I took my decision back. All are united and discussed this. Senior leaders are there in the committee: NCP chief Sharad Pawar when asked about the absence of Ajit Pawar at the press conference where he withdrew his resignation (ANI)

Everyone can't be present in one press conference. Some of the people are here and some others are not. But this morning, senior leaders of the party, took a decision unanimously and made me aware of it. Everyone expressed their sentiments through that decision. So, raising a question as to who is present here and who isn't or looking for meaning into this, is not correct: NCP chief Sharad Pawar when asked about the absence of Ajit Pawar in his press conference (ANI)

I can't disrespect your sentiments. Due to your love, I am respecting the demand that was made to me to withdraw my resignation and the resolution that was passed by senior NCP leaders. I withdraw my decision to step down as the national president of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP): Sharad Pawar (ANI)

Sharad Pawar on Friday took back his resignation as the national president of NCP. "I'm taking my decision back," he announces at a press conference. (ANI)

As a Nationalist Congress Party panel formed to choose the next party president announced on Friday that it had unanimously rejected Sharad Pawar's decision to step down, jubilant NCP workers broke out in celebration outside the outfit's office. They burst crackers, raising slogans "Ekach saheb" (there is only one boss). Scores of party workers had gathered outside the NCP office at Ballard Estate in south Mumbai demanding that Pawar reconsiders his decision. (PTI)

Rashmi Thackeray and Tejas Thackeray meet Eknath Shinde, reports News State Maharashtra Goa

Sharad Pawar tore masks of those with 1 foot in BJP: Saamna

Describing NCP chief Sharad Pawar as "the hero of the developments following his decision to resign," the Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece Saamna on Thursday said that some NCP leaders who were sitting on the fence and lamented the most after Pawar's resignation had been exposed by his move. READ MORE

Sharad Pawar has sought some time to consider NCP committee resolution: Praful Patel.

We conveyed the resolution passed in the meeting to chief Sharad Pawar to remain as NCP chief and requested him to respect it: Praful Patel

NCP workers celebrating outside party office in Mumbai

The committee that rejected Sharad Pawar's resignation was set-up by Pawar himself. The committee included Ajit Pawar, Supriya Sule, former Union minister Parful Patel and Chhagan Bhujbal, after he announced on May 2 that he would be resigning as NCP chief.

NCP leaders to meet Sharad Pawar to convey the panel's decision rejecting his resignation and hand over resolution passed in a meeting.

NCP workers celebrate as panel unanimously rejects Sharad Pawar's resignation as party chief

Sharad Pawar's resignation has been rejected and he is appealed to stay as party chief: Praful Patel

We have been meeting Sharad Pawar for last few days and have been telling him to take his resignation back: Praful Patel

We cannot neglect feelings of NCP workers from across the country: Praful Patel

We told Sharad Pawar that he is a pillar of the party. He is respected leader of not just the state, but the country: Praful Patel

We had no idea that Sharad Pawar will announce his resignation during a book launch: Praful Patel

If resignation is not taken back, we will sit on indefinite hunger strike from tomorrow, say party workers

Massive chaos outside party office as NCP worker attempts self-immolation amid panel meet.

NCP panel passes resolution rejecting Pawar's resignation as party chief

In the Core Committee meeting today, Praful Patel will propose a resolution to reject the resignation of Sharad Pawar and will request him to take back his decision: Clyde Crasto, National Spokesperson, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)

Won't allow Sharad Pawar to give resignation, says Jitendra Awhad

Majority of people think Sharad Pawar should not resign considering Lok Sabha polls: Jayant Patil

This is their party's internal matter, they will take a decision: Nana Patole, Maharashtra Congress President on NCP meeting in Mumbai

According to reports, it is possible that a senior NCP leader will propose the name of the president and another will second it. The president's name will be ratified at the national-level convention of the NCP, whenever it takes place.

Senior NCP leaders are in the dark about the procedure to be adopted at the meeting decide on next party chief.

MVA intact & will fight polls unitedly, say all 3 partners

At a time questions are being raised about whether the three-party Maha Vikas Aghadi is on the verge of collapse following Sharad Pawar's decision to relinquish his post as NCP chief and his stringent criticism of Uddhav Thackeray's style of functioning as CM, partners in the alliance are confident that there is no threat to its existence and that all the ensuing civic, Lok Sabha and assembly elections would be contested jointly.

Sharad Pawar must take his resignation back, say party workers.

Sharad Pawar all praise for his driver Gama serving him for more than four decades

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar has in his book fondly mentioned about his driver 'Gama', who has been taking him to various parts of Maharashtra for the last 43 years. In his revised autobiography 'Lok Majhe Sangati' launched on Tuesday.

"I have found some very close colleagues in my successful public life including my personal driver Gama, who has been with me for the last 43 years. He has taken me to all the corners of the state, but we never met with an accident. It underscores how seriously he has taken his responsibility. Gama is at times my guardian as well. He takes all the necessary care, including about my clothes, travel items, medicines and diet. He has even scolded officials if I somehow miss my lunch or medicines." he wrote.

NCP workers raise slogans in support of NCP chief Sharad Pawar, outside the party office in Mumbai.

NCP leader Ajit Pawar arrives at the party office in Mumbai

'Sule should take up party's national mantle'

Two days ago, senior NCP leader and former state minister Chhagan Bhujbal had said Sule should take up the party's national mantle and Ajit Pawar must head the state unit, though the MLA from Yeola in Nashik was quick to add that this was his personal opinion.

MVA alliance will disintegrate: Abdul Sattar

The state agriculture minister, Abdul Sattar, on Thursday claimed that the disintegration of the MVA is imminent due to conflicts. He said that his feedback is that “the NCP is already on its way out”.

“The three MVA partners will not contest the state assembly and Lok Sabha polls as an alliance,” he said.

He advised former CM Uddhav Thackeray not to politicise the Barsu refinery project. Commenting on NCP chief Sharad Pawar’s ripple-making decision to resign Sattar said that it was an internal issue.

Top coalition leaders in favour of Supriya Sule as new party chief

Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leaders, closely watching the developments in the NCP, said that if Sharad Pawar refuses to withdraw his decision to step down as its president, they will throw their weight behind his daughter Supriya Sule, over his nephew Ajit Pawar, to lead the party.

NCP panel members who will decide on next party chief

The committee comprises Praful Patel, Ajit Pawar, Jayant Patil, Supriya Sule, Sunil Tatkare, K K Sharma, P C Chacko, Chhagan Bhujbal, Dilip Walse Patil, Anil Deshmukh, Rajesh Tope, Jitendra Awhad, Hasan Mushrif, Dhananjay Munde and Fauzia Khan.

Pawar says decision to quit as NCP chief for party's future

Sharad Pawar on Thursday said his decision to step down from the post was taken for the future of the party and to create a new leadership. His assertion came even as party workers continued to demand that Pawar reconsider his decision.

NCP's national vice president Praful Patel on Wednesday said Sharad Pawar has not relented despite repeated appeals from party leaders and supporters that he withdraw his decision to step down.

The meeting of panel to decide on Pawar's successor will take place at 11am at the party office in south Mumbai.