Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde says he is confident that the people will push the ruling alliance Mahayuthi to victory with a “thumping” majority in approval of their work over the last two-and-half years. The Congress’s promises – the upgraded versions or the old, has convinced no one, he said. 

“Who would trust them? They once promised free electricity but the power bills were back once the election was over. We have given people zero bill,” he said in an exclusive interview with NDTV. 

The Opposition alliance, he said, has nothing. Whatever they are promising is “false”.

“They have betrayed the people. Promised them money and then reneged, and said the Centre will pay. Their chief said they will pay khat khata khat, but didn’t. We paid. We paid for five straight weeks for the Ladli Behen scheme. Because the model code would have been put in place in November,  we even made an advance payment. That’s why they are so against it. They know the Ladli Behen scheme would send them packing,” he said.

The BJP is banking massively on its welfare schemes – spearheaded by Ladli Behen – in this election. 

“Our dear sisters are very excited. They are already angry with the step-brothers as they have done wrong. They have gone to court, complained about the scheme and tried to stop it. So the sisters are very upset,” Mr Shinde said. 

But altogether, scenario looks better for the NDA because “We have something for everyone, be it the women, the youth, senior citizens or farmers,” Mr Shinde said.

A horrific case of animal cruelty has come to light from Telangana, where a group of three men trap and mercilessly thrash four street dogs with sticks, killing three of the canines, one of whom was pregnant.

A video of the incident, which took place in Jawaharnagar city in Medchal-Malkajgiri district on Tuesday, has gone viral and sparked outrage among animal rights activists. Officials said the reason behind the attack on the canines is not yet clear.

In the video, the dogs are seen trapped inside a net and brutally beaten up by the men as several passersby look on. While three of the canines died on the spot, the fourth sustained severe injuries and was left on the road with an eye popping out. The injured dog is currently undergoing treatment.

Several animal activists have approached the police over the brutal attack but no case has been registered and no action has been taken against the culprits as of Wednesday evening.

The incident came amid a series of street dog attacks in several parts of the state, which prompted the Telangana High Court to step in and seek an action plan from the state government in July on the steps being taken to prevent such incidents.

In August, a four-year-old boy died after he was bitten by a street dog at Raipole village in Rangareddy. In a separate incident that month, an elderly woman was killed by a pack of street dogs, which then ate parts of her body, in Rajanna Sircilla district.

Supreme Court Justice Gavai, issuing guidelines for property demolitions, emphasized the universal aspiration for a home. The court ruled that shelter is a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution and condemned ‘bulldozer justice’. Arbitrary demolitions based on accusations violate the rule of law, as the Executive cannot usurp judicial functions by declaring guilt and demolishing properties.