Tuesday, June 30

Maharashtra

Maharashtra: Son’s CRPF Selection Brings Street-Vending Mother to Tears
Maharashtra, State

Maharashtra: Son’s CRPF Selection Brings Street-Vending Mother to Tears

A touching story from Pinguli village, Kudal Taluka, Sindhudurg district, Maharashtra, has gone viral, capturing the hearts of many. Gopal Sawant, a young man from the village, recently secured selection in the CRPF and rushed to share the good news with his mother, who was selling vegetables on the footpath at the time. What followed left everyone deeply moved. A Mother’s JoyGopal, overjoyed by his achievement, hurried to inform his mother. Seeing him approaching, she was initially puzzled as he fell at her feet, seeking her blessings. When she realized that her son had been selected for the CRPF, she embraced him tightly and broke down in tears of happiness. Witnesses say the emotional moment moved everyone present. Gopal’s mother has long supported her family through street vendin...
Rajnath Singh Receives Respectful Salute from Nitin Gadkari’s Grandchildren; Netizens Applaud Their Values
Maharashtra, Politics, State

Rajnath Singh Receives Respectful Salute from Nitin Gadkari’s Grandchildren; Netizens Applaud Their Values

Nagpur: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari is often in the media spotlight for his political and administrative work, but this time, it was his grandchildren who captured public attention. During a recent visit of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to Nagpur, Gadkari’s grandchildren offered him a Sashtang Pranam—a traditional eight-fold prostration that reflects complete respect and humility. The meeting took place at Gadkari’s residence in Nagpur, the headquarters of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), India’s largest cultural organization, which emphasizes Hindu values and character building. The sight of Gadkari’s grandchildren performing the gesture of full reverence left Rajnath Singh visibly impressed and touched, and he reciprocated with affectionate attention, personally blessing both ...
Mohan Bhagwat Predicts End of Caste Discrimination Within a Decade, Shares Path to Social Change
Maharashtra, State

Mohan Bhagwat Predicts End of Caste Discrimination Within a Decade, Shares Path to Social Change

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: In a significant statement on caste-based discrimination, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said that eliminating casteism from society requires first erasing the notion of caste from our minds. Addressing a public dialogue on the occasion of the RSS’s centenary celebrations, Bhagwat emphasized that if this effort is pursued sincerely, caste discrimination could be completely eradicated within 10 to 12 years. A Historical Perspective on CasteSpeaking at the event, Bhagwat reflected on the historical roots of caste in India, noting that it was originally linked to one’s profession and duties. Over time, however, the system became deeply entrenched in society, leading to hierarchical divisions and discrimination. He urged people to consciously remove caste-based thinki...
‘UP-Style Bulldozer Politics Won’t Work in Maharashtra’: Nagpur Violence Accused Fahim Khan Issues Warning After Wife’s Victory
Maharashtra, State

‘UP-Style Bulldozer Politics Won’t Work in Maharashtra’: Nagpur Violence Accused Fahim Khan Issues Warning After Wife’s Victory

Nagpur: In a politically charged statement following his wife’s victory in the Nagpur Municipal Corporation elections, Fahim Khan—named by police as the main accused in the 2025 Nagpur violence—has issued a sharp warning to the ruling establishment, asserting that “Uttar Pradesh-style bulldozer politics will not work in Maharashtra.” Without naming the BJP directly, Khan said the electoral outcome reflected public resistance to what he described as selective and coercive action. “You arrested one Fahim Khan, but today six leaders have been elected. If you try to deliver justice through bulldozers—if you demolish one house—you will create a hundred leaders among Muslims,” he said. He further warned that what he called “wrongful arrests” could cost the ruling party its remaining political...
Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Venkat Dahale Wins Parbhani Civic Poll by Just One Vote
Maharashtra, State

Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Venkat Dahale Wins Parbhani Civic Poll by Just One Vote

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: In a dramatic reminder of the power of every single vote, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction) candidate Venkat Dahale clinched victory by a margin of just one vote in the Parbhani Municipal Corporation elections in Maharashtra. In Ward 1A of the Parbhani civic body, Dahale secured 4,312 votes, narrowly defeating his BJP rival Prasad Nagre, who polled 4,311 votes. The razor-thin margin made the contest one of the most closely fought battles in the recent round of municipal elections. According to officials, the contest witnessed intense competition throughout the counting process. Another Shiv Sena candidate, Mohan Sonawane, received 1,363 votes in the same ward, while 113 voters exercised the NOTA (None of the Above) option—underscoring how even ...
After Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Delhi, AIMIM Makes Its Mark in Maharashtra: How Owaisi Is Redrawing Electoral Equations
Maharashtra, Politics, State

After Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Delhi, AIMIM Makes Its Mark in Maharashtra: How Owaisi Is Redrawing Electoral Equations

Mumbai: The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), led by Asaduddin Owaisi, has delivered a striking performance in Maharashtra’s recent municipal corporation elections, signalling a decisive shift in India’s urban political landscape. Once considered a party confined largely to Hyderabad’s Old City, AIMIM is now emerging as a potent minority-centric political force with influence far beyond its traditional base. In elections held across 29 municipal corporations in the state, AIMIM secured an impressive 126 councillor seats in 13 corporations. Its performance in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) was particularly eye-catching, where the party won eight seats—four times more than the two seats it managed in the 2017 elections. The results have firmly placed AIMIM in t...
BMC Election 2026: Uddhav Thackeray Signals Mayoral Ambitions, Urges Shiv Sainiks to Stay United
Maharashtra, State

BMC Election 2026: Uddhav Thackeray Signals Mayoral Ambitions, Urges Shiv Sainiks to Stay United

Mumbai, January 17, 2026: In the aftermath of the BMC 2026 elections, where Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena lost its decades-long control, the party still secured a strong second position with 65 UBT candidates winning. On Saturday, the newly elected corporators visited Matoshree, Thackeray’s residence, where the former Chief Minister congratulated them, offered guidance, and addressed party workers. Thackeray’s Address Speaking to the gathering of Shiv Sainiks at Matoshree, Thackeray said the opposition had hoped to dismantle Shiv Sena “on paper,” but they failed on the ground. He indirectly criticized the BJP, asserting that while they attempted to manipulate power, money, and machinery—and even brought traitors into their fold—they could not buy loyalty. “Your loyalty deserves respec...
Sanjay Raut on Mumbai BMC Election Results: “Only 4-Member Majority for BJP, Will Not Let Mumbai Fall into Adani’s Pocket”
Maharashtra, Politics, State

Sanjay Raut on Mumbai BMC Election Results: “Only 4-Member Majority for BJP, Will Not Let Mumbai Fall into Adani’s Pocket”

Mumbai: Following the results of the Mumbai BMC elections, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut reacted to the defeat of the Shivshakti alliance of Shiv Sena UBT and MNS. Speaking on Saturday, Raut said that several seats were lost by very narrow margins. “If 12-13 of these close contests had gone in our favor, the picture you see in Mumbai today would have been entirely different,” he remarked. Raut highlighted that even after the results, the BJP-Shinde faction holds only a four-member majority in the BMC. He emphasized that the opposition remains a significant force in the municipal body. “We will not allow Mumbai to fall into Adani’s pocket or let contractors take over. Over 100 of our corporators will block any such moves at every step,” he added. Comments on Internal BetrayalRaut...
BJP Breaks the Spell of Thackeray and Pawar Brands in Maharashtra Civic Polls
Maharashtra, Politics, State

BJP Breaks the Spell of Thackeray and Pawar Brands in Maharashtra Civic Polls

Mumbai, January 17, 2026: Maharashtra’s civic and BMC elections have signaled a significant shift in the state’s political landscape, breaking the long-standing dominance of political families like the Thackerays and Pawars. Historically, parties in the state relied heavily on the personal clout of leaders such as Bal Thackeray, Uddhav Thackeray, Sharad Pawar, and Ajit Pawar, whose names alone guaranteed electoral success in different regions. However, the latest results reveal that BJP’s strategic campaigns have significantly weakened this traditional political advantage. Thackeray Brand Loses Its ShineThe Thackeray family, which had controlled the BMC for 25 years through a strong network strategy, faced a historic setback. Despite efforts by Uddhav and Raj Thackeray, Shiv Sena’s trad...
Navneet Rana Reigns in Amravati, Makes Husband Ravi Rana the ‘Kingmaker’ for BJP Victory
Maharashtra, Politics, State

Navneet Rana Reigns in Amravati, Makes Husband Ravi Rana the ‘Kingmaker’ for BJP Victory

Amravati, January 17, 2026: While the nation celebrates BJP’s sweeping victory in Mumbai, it is Navneet Rana—who left her husband’s party in 2024 to join BJP—who has made headlines in Amravati. Despite losing the 2024 Lok Sabha election herself, she successfully turned the tide for BJP in the Amravati Municipal Corporation elections and elevated her husband Ravi Rana to the position of ‘kingmaker’. In the Amravati Lok Sabha constituency, Congress candidate Balwant Wankhede had defeated Navneet Rana. Yet, with her characteristic bold style, Navneet took charge of BJP’s campaign in the city. Her efforts paid off handsomely, with BJP emerging as the single largest party, winning 25 of the 87 seats. Ravi Rana’s party, meanwhile, secured 10 seats, cementing his influence in local politics. ...