Note ban made Manushi Chhillar 'Miss World': Shiv Sena's latest dig at BJP

Taking a dig at the BJP, the Shiv Sena on Tuesday wondered why no one from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has claimed credit after Manushi Chhillar brought the 'Miss World' crown to India.

"This charming woman from Haryana has indeed made the country proud by bagging the 'Miss World' title after a gap of 17 years. This was possible only 'because of the government of (Narendra Modi-Amit Shah)' which assumed power with divine blessings," the Sena said in a tongue-in-cheek edit in the party mouthpieces 'Saamana' and 'Dopahar Ka Saamana'.

What was even more surprising was that "nobody from the ruling establishment" had yet come forth to grab the glory for her victory in the global beauty arena, it said.

"Manushi's surname is 'Chhillar', hence she won. This is actually a victory of (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi's demonetization policy. After the Rs 1,000-Rs 500 currency notes were spiked, people were left with only 'chhillar' (small change) in hand.

"Why nobody has yet come forward to snatch the credit for this is a mystery," the Sena said.

Hazarding its own guess, the editorial said the clue could be in the winning answer given by Chhillar in the competition that impressed the pageant jury which was convinced that she had both beauty and brains.

To the clinching question 'Who should get the highest salary?', Chhillar responded: "A Mother should get that highest honour, and not just salary but also lots of love and respect.

"But it was not her grand triumph, but the success of demonetization. After the note spiking, the situation in the country causes concern. All cash has dried up and people have to eke out a living with 'chhillar' (small change) only," the Sena said.

The editorial came a day after Congress leader Shashi Tharoor remarks on 'chhillar' evoked sharp criticism, forcing him to apologise.

Will apologise to Parliament, but not Air India official: Ravindra Gaikwad

Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad, who was banned from flying after he assaulted an Air India official with his footwear, said on Thursday that he had been "abused and manhandled" by the Air India staffer last month. He offered to apologise for his behaviour in Parliament but not to the 60-year-old flight official.

Gaikwad demanded that the flying ban on him should be lifted. He got support from other opposition parties.

Gaikwad, who told TV channels after the March 23 incident that he beat the Air India official with his sandal "25 times", said in the House that on the day of the incident he was made to travel in economy class despite having a business class ticket.

He said after the Pune-Delhi flight landed in the national capital, he asked for the complaint register.

"After 45 minutes, an officer came. I talked to him calmly, but he asked who are you. I asked him who are you, he said he is the 'father of Air India'. When I said that I was a politician, one of them said 'But you are not Narendra Modi. Are you?'" said the Shiv Sena MP, giving his version of the incident.

The MP alleged that the airline staff held him by the collar after which he pushed him.

"Even the Air hostess has given a statement that the incident happened because of the airline staff's misbehaviour. There is a video as well." (READ MORE)

Shiv Sena forces 500 meat shops, KFC to shut in old Gurgaon

As many as 500 meat shops, including a KFC outlet, in old Gurgaon were allegedly shut down by over 200 Shiv Sainiks for nine days on account of Navratri.

They also threatened the shop owners yesterday to shut their establishments on every Tuesday.

"We have served notices to meat shop owners, including KFC, and other fast food outlets to shut their shops till Navratri ends and on every Tuesday," Gautam Saini, the president of Shiv Sena, Gurgaon, told PTI.

The Sena workers assembled at Palam Vihar yesterday and forced the closure of meat market and dhabas such as Bismillah Khan eatery in others areas too.

However, ACP-PRO of Gurgaon Police Manish Sehgal said some meats shops were shut down but they were later opened. These shops have commercial licence to sell meat. Strict action will be taken against those forcing closure of shops illegally. (READ MORE)

Shiv Sena likens demonetisation to atom bomb attack on Hiroshima, Nagasaki

Brekaing news - In a vitriolic attack, the Shiv Sena on Wednesday compared the fallout of demonetisation on Indian economy with the disaster wreaked by atom bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

"By dropping the 'atom bomb of demonetisation' Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reduced the Indian economy to Hiroshima and Nagasaki. 'All are dead'," the Sena said in an edit in the party mouthpieces Saamana and Dopahar Ka Saamana.

Accusing Modi of "not heeding anybody" the Sena said the prime minister did not listen to the advice of even the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) before spiking Rs 500 and 1,000 notes on November 8 last year.

"Just like the deaf-and-dumb parrots sitting in his Cabinet, (Urjit Patel) was appointed the RBI Governor and the country's economy has been reduced to shambles," the Sena noted.

The party led by Uddhav Thackeray is an ally of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Centre and Maharashtra.(Read More)