Thursday, March 26

Maharashtra

Who Will Inherit Ajit Pawar’s Political Power? Silence in Pawar Family, Intense Churn Within NCP
Maharashtra, Politics, State

Who Will Inherit Ajit Pawar’s Political Power? Silence in Pawar Family, Intense Churn Within NCP

The sudden demise of senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar has plunged Maharashtra’s political landscape into deep uncertainty. While the Pawar family has maintained a studied silence, intense deliberations are reportedly underway within the party and the ruling Mahayuti alliance over the question of political succession. The development comes at a crucial juncture, as talks regarding the merger of the two NCP factions were nearing a decisive stage. Ajit Pawar was widely believed to be preparing an official announcement on the unification of the party following the district council election results expected in early February. According to party insiders, the sudden turn of events has forced the leadership to temporarily put the merger process on hold. Merger Ta...
Political Stir in Maharashtra: NCP Leaders Meet CM Fadnavis, Stake Claim on Ajit Pawar’s Portfolios
Maharashtra, Politics, State

Political Stir in Maharashtra: NCP Leaders Meet CM Fadnavis, Stake Claim on Ajit Pawar’s Portfolios

Mumbai: A major political development has emerged in Maharashtra following the untimely death of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. Senior leaders of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday to discuss leadership succession and departmental portfolios within the state government. According to sources, the NCP delegation—including Praful Patel, Chhagan Bhujbal, and Sunil Tatkare—briefed the Chief Minister on the party’s internal consensus. There is speculation that Sunetra Pawar, currently a Rajya Sabha member and Ajit Pawar’s relative, may be appointed as the new Deputy Chief Minister, though no official statement has been made yet. Ajit Pawar’s Portfolios and Succession Under the Maha Vikas Aghadi government led by CM Fadnavis, Ajit Pawar...
After Ajit Pawar’s Death, NCP Leaders Reveal Late Deputy CM’s Plans for Party Merger
Maharashtra, Politics, State

After Ajit Pawar’s Death, NCP Leaders Reveal Late Deputy CM’s Plans for Party Merger

Mumbai, January 30, 2026: Following the sudden demise of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash, a wave of grief has swept through the state’s political, social, and economic spheres. Amid discussions over his successor, senior leaders from the Sharad Pawar faction of the NCP have revealed that Ajit Pawar had been preparing to announce the formal merger of both NCP factions after the conclusion of the district council elections. Sources indicate that Ajit Pawar had set February 8, 2026, as the date to finalize the merger, a plan cut short by his untimely death. Following his passing, Sunetra Pawar, his wife, is being considered as his political successor, while talks of uniting the two NCP factions continue. Merger Preparations Underway:According to reports, di...
Maharashtra Politics: Sunetra Pawar May Be Considered for Deputy CM; Praful Patel Could Lead NCP
Maharashtra, Politics, State

Maharashtra Politics: Sunetra Pawar May Be Considered for Deputy CM; Praful Patel Could Lead NCP

Mumbai, January 30, 2026: The sudden demise of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash has set off a flurry of political activity within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Senior party leaders have reportedly urged Sunetra Pawar, Ajit Pawar’s wife and a sitting Rajya Sabha MP, to take on the role of Deputy Chief Minister in the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, though she has yet to make a decision. The discussions also involve the possibility of Praful Patel assuming leadership of the NCP, ensuring continuity and stability in the party. NCP sources indicate that any potential merger with Sharad Pawar’s faction will be temporarily put on hold, with final decisions expected once the party stabilizes. Political Consultations:Following Ajit Pawar’s funeral, senior N...
After Ajit Pawar’s Death, NCP Leaders Push for Sunetra Pawar as Deputy CM; Baramati Seat Could Go to Family Member
Maharashtra, Politics, State

After Ajit Pawar’s Death, NCP Leaders Push for Sunetra Pawar as Deputy CM; Baramati Seat Could Go to Family Member

Pune, January 30, 2026: Following the sudden death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash, senior leaders of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) are moving swiftly to fill the political vacuum within the party. A top delegation recently met Sunetra Pawar, Ajit Pawar’s wife and a sitting Rajya Sabha MP, at her Pune residence to pay respects and discuss her potential return to active politics. Party leaders have reportedly suggested including her in the Maha Vikas Aghadi government as Deputy Chief Minister. The delegation included prominent NCP figures such as Executive President Praful Patel, Maharashtra unit chief Sunil Tatkare, and Cabinet Minister Chhagan Bhujbal. Senior leaders believe Sunetra Pawar, who hails from a political family herself, could help uni...
Mumbai Taxi Driver Arrested for Overcharging American Tourist Rs 18,000 for 400-Meter Ride
Maharashtra, State

Mumbai Taxi Driver Arrested for Overcharging American Tourist Rs 18,000 for 400-Meter Ride

Mumbai, January 30, 2026: Sahar police have arrested a taxi driver for allegedly defrauding an American tourist by charging an exorbitant fare for a short ride in Mumbai. The accused has been identified as 50-year-old Deshraj Yadav. According to police reports, Yadav allegedly charged the woman ₹18,000 (approximately USD 200) for a ride of just 400 meters from Mumbai International Airport to a nearby five-star hotel. The incident occurred on January 12, 2026, when the tourist had just arrived from the United States. Instead of taking her directly to the hotel, Yadav reportedly drove her through a dark area for about 20 minutes before finally dropping her off at the hotel entrance and demanding the inflated fare. How the Case Came to Light:The victim, Argentina Arriano, shared her exp...
Pune Teen Murder Case: Boy Lured via Fake Social Media Profile, Beaten and Body Thrown into Mutha River
Maharashtra, State

Pune Teen Murder Case: Boy Lured via Fake Social Media Profile, Beaten and Body Thrown into Mutha River

Pune, January 29, 2026: A shocking case of friendship turned deadly has come to light in Pune, Maharashtra. Police have taken three 15-year-old boys into custody for allegedly murdering another boy of the same age and disposing of his body in the Mutha River on January 26, 2026. The Incident:According to Senior Inspector Sunita Rokde, the victim’s mother filed a missing person report on Tuesday after her son failed to return home. The boy, who managed his social media account via his mother’s phone, was lured through a fake social media profile created in the name of a girl. The three accused reportedly used the profile to entice their friend to meet them. When he arrived, they brutally attacked him with stones before throwing his body into the river. Investigation and Clues:Initial ...
Shock and Sorrow in Nashik: Ajit Pawar Supporter Dies of Heart Attack Upon Hearing Deputy CM’s Death
Maharashtra, State

Shock and Sorrow in Nashik: Ajit Pawar Supporter Dies of Heart Attack Upon Hearing Deputy CM’s Death

Nashik, January 29, 2026: The sudden death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash has sent shockwaves across the state, claiming not only his life but also indirectly affecting his ardent supporters. Sudam Bodke, a 63-year-old staunch NCP worker and devoted follower of Pawar, suffered a fatal heart attack upon receiving the news of the Deputy CM’s passing. Devoted Supporter Overcome by Shock:According to reports from Maharashtra Times, Bodke was attending a relative’s death anniversary ceremony in Dindori, Nashik, when he learned of Pawar’s tragic accident. Overwhelmed with grief, he praised Pawar in front of those present and then set out for Nashik. En route, Bodke began feeling unwell and was rushed to a private hospital in the Market Yard area. Despite imme...
Ajit Pawar: Viral Video Shows Deputy CM Speaking About Fate Just Days Before Fatal Plane Crash
Maharashtra, State

Ajit Pawar: Viral Video Shows Deputy CM Speaking About Fate Just Days Before Fatal Plane Crash

Pune, January 29, 2026: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar tragically lost his life in a plane crash while traveling to Baramati. The accident claimed the lives of five people, including the senior leader. Amid widespread grief, a video of Pawar’s speech from four days before the crash has gone viral on social media, capturing his thoughts on fate and the responsibilities of public service. A Leader Remembered:Ajit Pawar, affectionately called “Dada,” was known across Maharashtra as a fearless, hardworking, and resilient politician. His sudden passing has left a deep void in the state’s political landscape. Pawar’s speeches and press conferences often moved people, and the recently circulated video is no exception. In His Own Words:In the speech, Pawar reflected on the inev...
Maharashtra Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti Elections Rescheduled: Voting on February 7, Counting on February 9
Maharashtra, State

Maharashtra Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti Elections Rescheduled: Voting on February 7, Counting on February 9

Mumbai, January 29, 2026: The Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC) has announced a major change in the schedule for the upcoming Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections. Voting, originally set for February 5, will now take place on February 7, 2026, while the counting of votes will be conducted on February 9, 2026. The rescheduling comes in the wake of the sudden death of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, following which the state observed three days of mourning from January 28 to January 30. Earlier, the election program for 12 Zilla Parishads and 125 Panchayat Samitis had been announced on January 13, 2026. Election Process Update:All pre-election formalities, including filing and withdrawal of nomination papers, allocation of symbols, and publication of the final cand...