Maharashtra

After nearly two decades of Shiv Sena rule under Uddhav Thackeray, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is witnessing a historic political shift. For the first time, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has emerged as the single largest party in the civic body and is poised to stake claim to the mayor’s post. Preparations to welcome the new mayor are already underway, with the BMC headquarters visibly turning saffron — from tables to chairs. Visual Identity Set to ChangeFor over 25 years, saffron cloth matching Shiv Sena’s flag adorned the desks of the mayor and the standing committee chairperson. With BJP likely to take charge, subtle changes in the visual identity of key offices are expected. BJP’s flag carries both saffron and green, hinting at a possible redesign of décor elemen...

Mumbai: London-based doctor and YouTuber Sangram Patil was stopped at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai, on Monday while attempting to return to Manchester with his wife. Immigration authorities denied him boarding after a Lookout Circular (LOC) was issued against him by the Mumbai Police following a complaint by BJP IT Cell official Nikhil Bhamre. Patil, a British citizen of Indian origin from Jalgaon, is facing a defamation case for allegedly criticizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Detained Even After Landing EarlierSangram Patil told a news agency that he was informed at the airport about the active LOC, which prevented him from leaving India. He claimed that the Crime Branch had summoned him on 16 January, and he had submitted written responses to all questions tha...

Mumbai, Maharashtra: The ruling Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra secured a resounding victory in recent municipal elections. However, disputes over key positions, especially mayoral posts, have emerged in several civic bodies, including Mumbai, Thane, Kalyan-Dombivli, and Ulhasnagar. While Eknath Shinde’s faction of Shiv Sena demands the mayor’s position in Mumbai, the BJP insists on placing its candidates in key posts across its strongholds. In Mumbai, the Shinde camp is lobbying for the mayor and standing committee chairman positions, but BJP needs Shiv Sena’s support to achieve a majority in the municipal corporation, holding 114 seats. In contrast, Thane presents a different scenario: Shiv Sena commands its own majority and BJP leaders, including Niranjan Davkhare, have signaled tha...

Mumbai: The suspense over who will become the next Mayor of Mumbai has deepened following explosive remarks by Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction) leader Sanjay Raut, triggering intense political chatter from Mumbai to Davos and even Delhi. With the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election results already declared, the race for the mayoral post has entered a dramatic and uncertain phase. The delay in electing a new mayor is being attributed to key political developments at both the national and international levels. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is currently attending the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, while several senior BJP leaders are in Delhi for the party’s national president election. Amid this backdrop, Sanjay Raut’s unexpected remarks an...

Mumbai/Buldhana: Maharashtra’s flagship welfare scheme for women, the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, has landed in controversy in Buldhana district after monthly payments of ₹1,500 were abruptly stopped for nearly 30,000 women over the past two months. The sudden halt has triggered widespread anger, anxiety, and protests among beneficiaries, many of whom depend on the scheme for basic financial support. The scheme, launched to economically empower women aged between 21 and 65 years, provides a monthly assistance of ₹1,500. While over 6.5 lakh women in Buldhana are currently enrolled under the programme, the suspension of payments for a large group of beneficiaries has caused confusion and unrest, especially in rural areas. Why Were Payments Stopped? District officials clar...

Mumbai: The results of the Maharashtra civic body elections have revealed a significant shift in the political behavior of Muslim voters, marking a departure from their long-standing pattern of supporting the strongest anti-BJP गठबंधन. Instead, Muslim voters have shown increasing preference for community-based parties such as Asaduddin Owaisi’s AIMIM and the Indian Secular Largest Assembly of Maharashtra (ISLAM), delivering a major jolt to the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). Across 29 municipal corporations, the election outcomes largely aligned with expected alliance arithmetic and emerging political equations. However, the altered Muslim voting trend and the मजबूत प्रदर्शन of Muslim-backed parties emerged as the biggest surprise. Until now, Muslim voters in Maharashtra had consistently suppo...

Thane, January 19:After nearly two decades of waiting, devotees visiting the revered hill shrine of Shri Malanggad—popularly known as Haji Malang—can finally rejoice. The much-anticipated 1.2-kilometre funicular railway service was inaugurated on Sunday, drastically reducing the arduous two-hour climb to a smooth and safe journey of just 10 minutes. Located around 20 kilometres from Kalyan, the hilltop shrine holds deep religious significance for both Hindus and Muslims. While Hindus worship it as Malanggad, Muslims revere it as the Haji Malang Dargah. The launch of the funicular service marks a historic milestone for pilgrims and locals alike. Inauguration and Free Service for Two Days The service was inaugurated by BJP MLA Kisan Kathore in the presence of BJP MLA Sulabha Gaikwad...