Politics

Pune/Latur, February 10, 2026: In a gripping showdown during Maharashtra’s district council elections, Congress candidate Asha Bhise narrowly defeated her sister-in-law, Sarita Bhise of the BJP, by just two votes. The closely contested battle captured local attention across Latur district. The Nail-Biting ContestThe contest took place in the Kamkheda Zilla Parishad group election in Renapur tehsil of Latur. Asha Bhise, representing Congress, went head-to-head against Sarita Bhise, the BJP candidate. The rivalry between the nanda-bhaujai (sister-in-law and bhabhi) made the race unusually dramatic. When votes were counted, Asha Bhise emerged victorious with 6,871 votes, narrowly surpassing Sarita Bhise, who received 6,869 votes. The two-vote margin stunned observers and quickly became ...

Mumbai: The question of conferring the Bharat Ratna on freedom fighter Veer Savarkar has once again stirred political debate, following comments by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat. Speaking at the RSS centenary event held at the Nehru Centre in Mumbai, Bhagwat expressed support for the proposal, stating that awarding the honour to Savarkar would further enhance its prestige. Addressing a direct question, Bhagwat clarified that he is not part of the committee responsible for deciding awards. However, he emphasized that recognizing the legendary freedom fighter with the Bharat Ratna would strengthen the award’s stature. He also noted that even without this formal recognition, Savarkar’s legacy remains influential both in India and abroad. His remarks were met with en...

Mumbai: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has launched a sharp attack on RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat over his recent remarks on language-based movements. Bhagwat had stated that stressing language identity and launching movements around it is “like a disease.” Reacting strongly, Raj Thackeray took to social media platform X and posted a lengthy statement, accusing Bhagwat of insulting regional pride and questioning the RSS’s intentions. He even mocked the RSS event held in Mumbai, calling Bhagwat’s speech “dull and boring,” and claimed that attendees were present not out of respect but due to fear of the Modi government. Raj Thackeray Calls Bhagwat’s Speech “Boring and Lifeless” Referring to the RSS event held on February 8, 2026, at the Nehru Centre Auditorium in W...

Mumbai: Maharashtra’s first female Deputy Chief Minister, Sunetra Pawar, formally took charge of her office on Tuesday at the Maharashtra Government Secretariat in Mumbai. Prior to assuming office, she visited the Siddhivinayak Temple and paid homage at Babasaheb Ambedkar’s Chaityabhoomi. During the ceremony, Pawar appeared deeply emotional, especially when she saw the chair and portraits of her late father-in-law, Ajit Pawar. Emotional Transition at the Secretariat Sunetra Pawar’s first day in office was marked by poignant moments. She became visibly moved while sitting in Ajit Pawar’s chair in the Secretariat. Ajit Pawar, a six-time Deputy CM of Maharashtra, tragically passed away in a chartered plane crash in Baramati on January 28, 2026. Sunetra Pawar had taken her oath as Deputy...