Thursday, December 25, 2025 Reg.No MCS/048/2021-23; RNI No. 1541/1957 M.p.c.s office Mumbai. PIN 400001 | Vol. 69 No. 69 | 30 Pages THE FREE PRESS JOURNAL INDIA EDITION | www.freepressjournal.in ● Leader in E-paper circulation GAMES Cinema Kat, Nargis, Jacqueline turn up the Christmas magic Got apology from Pant and Bumrah; Conrad should’ve chosen better words: Bavuma BROTHERS-IN-ARMS | After years of political rift, Uddhav and Raj Thackeray join hands for BMC polls, sharpening Marathi identity politics Cousins unite Edit Rahul or Priyanka? Cong seems divided on the issue No new mining leases across entire Aravallis FPJ News Service MUMBAI The Union government has issued sweeping directions to states imposing a complete ban on granting new mining leases across the entire Aravalli Range, marking one of the most expansive conservation interventions for India’s oldest ficial said the intent is to premountain system. The move, serve the integrity of the range officials said, is aimed at ar- as a continuous geological resting decades of unregulated ridge and to halt all forms of mining that has severely de- fresh mining activity that graded the fragile ecosystem threaten its ecological stability. stretching from Gujarat to the In a parallel step, the ministry National Capital Region. has tasked the Indian Council The directions, issued by of Forestry Research and Eduthe Ministry of Environment, cation with identifying addiForest and Climate tional areas and zones Change, apply uniacross the Aravallis formly across the Arawhere mining should valli landscape, be prohibited, over and irrespective of state above regions already boundaries. A senior of- Scan & Watch barred by the Centre. This identification will be based on ecological sensitivity, geological vulnerability and landscape-level considerations, signalling a shift towards science-driven environmental governance. ICFRE has been directed to undertake this exercise as part of preparing a comprehensive Management Plan for Sustainable Mining for the entire Aravalli region. 4Contd on | nation 4See also | nation MENDING TIES: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray with Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) President Raj Thackeray at Shivaji Park on Wednesday. –PTI Kalpesh Mhamunkar MUMBAI Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray on Wednesday formally announced an alliance for the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, triggering a major political churn in Maharashtra ahead of the civic polls. The alliance was unveiled at a joint press conference at Blue Sea Banquets in Worli, where both leaders shared the stage and projected a united front after years of political estrangement. Raj Thackeray as- serted that Mumbai’s next Mayor would be a “Marathi manus” and would belong to the Shiv Sena (UBT)–MNS alliance. “Mumbai’s Mayor will be ours, and he will undoubtedly be Marathi,” Raj Thackeray said. Addressing the media, Uddhav Thackeray made an emotional appeal to the Marathi community to remain united, warning that internal divisions would lead to political marginalisation in Mumbai and Maharashtra. “If Marathi people break apart now, they will be finished. Do not divide, do not break, and do not abandon the Three new airlines poised for take-off Dhairya Gajara MUMBAI The Indian aviation sector is set to expand soon as three new airlines are set to enter the commercial passenger aviation industry and dismantle the current duopoly in India’s domestic skies. After Shankh Air, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has granted no objection certificates (NOCs) to two more aspiring airlines, including Alhind Air and FlyExpress. The Indian aviation sector is set for expansion as three new airlines prepare to enter the commercial passenger market, challenging the current duopoly in domestic skies. After Shankh Air, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has granted no objection certificates (NOCs) to two more aspiring carriers, Alhind Air and FlyExpress On Tuesday, Union Civil Avi- ation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu announced that the ministry has granted NOCs to both airlines, while Shankh Air has received the NOC earlier and is expected to commence operations early in 2026. The announcement comes at a critical time for the industry as recent massive operational disruptions at IndiGo, which saw over 4,500 flight cancellations earlier this month, have intensified calls for greater competition and more robust consumer choice. The three airlines will bring different regional focuses and business models to the table. The Noida-based Shankh Air’s key focus will be on flying regionally from Uttar Pradesh, which will also be the first scheduled full-service airline from the state. It plans to link Lucknow, Varanasi and Gorakhpur to major metros. legacy of Marathi pride,” he said. Recalling a slogan often used by the BJP in earlier campaigns, Uddhav issued a stern warning: “If you make a mistake now, you will be finished. Marathi people are peaceful, but if someone comes in their way, they do not let them go back easily.” He asserted that the alliance was forged with the resolve to politically defeat forces attempting to separate Mumbai from Maharashtra or weaken Marathi identity through what he termed “devious conspiracies”. 4Contd on | nation 4See also | mumbai Directly elected council, panchayat prez empowered Kalpesh Mhamunkar MUMBAI The Maharashtra Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, on Wednesday approved the promulgation of an ordinance to amend the Maharashtra Municipal Councils, Nagar Panchayats and Industrial Townships Act, 1965, paving the way for granting membership and voting rights to directly elected Presidents of Municipal Councils and Nagar RAINING RUNS The first day of the 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy saw records falling like nine pins as swashbuckling batsmen went on a run riot on Wednesday. VIRAT KOHLI Playing for Delhi against Andhra, Kohli (131) scored 58th ListA ton to pip Sachin Tendulkar as the fastest player to reach 16,000 runs in the format. He took 330 innings against Tendulakar's 391. ROHIT SHARMA The Mumbai star smashed 155 against Sikkim to hit his ninth 150+ score in the format and equal David Warner's record. ISHAN KISHAN The Jharkhand skipper (125) narrowly lost the record to Gani after hitting a 100 in 33 balls against Karnataka. VAIBHAV SURYAVANSHI With a massive 190 against Arunachal, the 14-year-old Bihar sensation became the youngest ListA centurion (off 36 balls) and smashed AB de Villiers' 64ball record to reach 150 in 59 deliveries. SAKIBUL GANI The Bihar captain (128 not out) hit the fastest List-A century by an Indian, reaching the threefigure mark in 32 balls. 4Contd on | nation Arunachal is ‘core interest’ for China: US In a major relief to industrialist Anil Ambani, the Bombay High Court on Wednesday stayed all present and future actions initiated by three public sector banks against him and Reliance Communications Ltd (RCom), to declare their loan accounts as fraud. The court held that the banks had violated mandatory provisions of the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) Master Directions. Justice Milind Jadhav granted interim relief after observing that the banks’ action was founded on a forensic audit report that did not comply with the statutory requirements under the RBI’s 2024 Master Directions on fraud classification. The audit report in question was prepared by external auditor BDO LLP. In a detailed 116-page order, the court held that the forensic audit report could not be relied upon, as it was not authored and signed by a duly qualified chartered accountant, as required by the RBI Directions. “The RBI Master Directions are mandatory in nature and they operate within a binding statutory framework requiring banks to engage auditors strictly in accordance with applicable law,” the court said. Justice Jadhav noted that if interim protection was not granted, it would cause “grave and irreparable harm / loss” to Ambani and his company. Emphasising procedural fairness, the court observed: “Principles of natural justice is based on the maxim – Justice should not only be done but should manifestly be seen to be done.” 4Contd on | nation ISRO’s Bahubali puts six-tonne sat in orbit FPJ News Service PTI MUMBAI SRIHARIKOTA A recent Pentagon report submitted to the US Congress has underscored the fragility of India-China ties by explicitly flagging China’s claim over Arunachal Pradesh as part of Beijing’s stated “core interests”, placing it within a broader national strategy aimed at achieving the “great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation” by 2049. The assessment, titled Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China, notes that China’s leadership has expanded scope of its core interests to include contested territories and maritime claims. In a historic Christmas Eve mission, ISRO on Wednesday successfully launched a 6,100 kg US communication satellite, the heaviest ever placed into orbit by an Indian launch vehicle, marking a major milestone for the country’s space programme. The LVM3-M6 rocket, nicknamed ‘Bahubali’ for its heavy-lift capability, lifted off at 8.55 am from the second launch pad at Sriharikota after a 24-hour countdown. After a flight of about 15 minutes, the BlueBird Block-2 satellite was successfully separated from the launch vehicle and injected into its intended orbit, triggering celebrations at the Mission Control Centre. 4Contd on | nation 4Contd on | nation Tea, oath & an assassination in Iran: Nitin Gadkari recalls FPJ News Service MUMBAI Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) begins commercial flights on Thursday, making Mumbai the first Indian city with a dual-airport system alongside Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. The greenfield project, developed by Adani Airport Holdings and CIDCO at Rs16,700 crore, was inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi in October. The first flight lands from Bengaluru (IndiGo) at 8am, followed by departure to Hyderabad. Day One features around 30 movements, mainly by IndiGo, with Air India Express, Akasa Air, and Star Air also operating. International flights and cargo start by March 2026. See, mumbai fice of President. However, ambiguity has persisted in cases where the President is directly elected by the people, particularly on whether such a President enjoys formal membership and voting rights within the council. The Cabinet noted that irrespective of whether the President is elected directly by voters or selected from among councillors, the office carries a clear democratic mandate. Urvi Mahajani MUMBAI See, games 4Contd on | nation NMIA begins operations Panchayats. Under the existing legal framework, a person eligible to be elected as a member of a Municipal Council or Nagar Panchayat is also eligible to contest the post of President. This allows an individual to secure a dual mandate by being elected both as a member and as President at the same time. Where the President is chosen from among the elected members, the individual continues to function as a member while holding the of- HC interim relief for Anil Ambani, RCom PTI MONEY Union Budget FY27 must prioritise widening India’s tax base: Report Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has offered a chilling, almost cinematic account of how he brushed past one of the Middle East’s most audacious assassinations— hours before it happened. Speaking at a book launch “My Idea of Nation First: Redefining Unalloyed Nationalism” by Uday Mahurkar  on Wednesday in New Delhi, Gadkari revealed that he had crossed paths with Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, shortly before Haniyeh was killed inside what was supposed to be one of Iran’s most secure military facilities. Gadkari said his presence in Iran was at the behest of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who asked him to represent India at the swearing-in ceremony of Iran’s newly elected President Masoud Pezeshkian. The trip, intended to be a routine diplomatic engagement, took a dramatic turn even before the formalities began. On the eve of the ceremony, Gadkari recalled being at a five-star hotel in Tehran where world leaders and senior dignitaries had gathered informally over tea and coffee. Amid presidents, prime ministers and ministers, Gadkari & Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh Nothing seemed amiss during the swearing-in. Hours later, atmosphere changed abruptly one figure stood out—not because he led a nation, but because he led a cause. That man was Haniyeh. “All the heads of various nations were there,” Gadkari said, “but one person who wasn’t a head of state was Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.” Gadkari said he saw Haniyeh moving in the same convoy, heading to the swearing-in ceremony alongside Iran’s President and Chief Justice. At the time, nothing seemed amiss. Hours later, the atmosphere changed abruptly. Gadkari said that around 4 am, the Iranian ambassador to India knocked on his door with an urgent message: they had to leave immediately. 4Contd on | nation Heaviest ever launch ISRO launch vehicle LVM3-M6 lifts off from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, on Wednesday, carrying the BlueBird Block-2 communication satellite of AST SpaceMobile, US. Russia plans N-power plant on moon by 2036 Agencies MOSCOW Russia plans to put a nuclear power plant on the moon in the next decade to supply its lunar space programme and a joint RussianChinese research station, as major powers rush to explore the earth's only natural satellite. Ever since Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human to go into space in 1961, Russia has prided itself as a leading power in space exploration, but in recent decades it has fallen behind the United States and increasingly China, Reuters reports. 4Contd on | nation H a c