Maharashtra

Pune: The BJP is facing a major challenge ahead of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) elections. While the party needs to allocate seats to its alliance partner, Shiv Sena, it is simultaneously confronted with an overwhelming number of internal aspirants—nearly 2,000 BJP workers have applied for just 165 seats. There are concerns that dissatisfied applicants could rebel if ticket allocations do not meet their expectations. BJP Dominance in PuneVoting for the PMC will take place on 15 January 2026, with results declared on 16 January. The BJP has historically been strong in Pune, giving it a perceived advantage in the municipal elections. In 2017, the party won 98 seats in the PMC for the first time. Last year, it secured all six assembly constituencies in Pune and also controls the Pu...

A shocking case of large-scale cyber fraud has surfaced from Shendurusani village in Maharashtra’s Yavatmal district, where official records show an impossible demographic explosion. Despite having a population of barely 1,500, the village registered an astonishing 27,397 births within just three months, raising serious concerns over the integrity of the civil registration system. How the Scam Came to Light According to official data, between September and November 2025, as many as 27,397 birth certificates were registered under the name of Shendurusani Gram Panchayat, while only five death registrations were recorded during the same period. The anomaly was detected during a routine inspection by the Health Department, triggering alarm bells at multiple administrative levels. Alle...

Tensions are brewing in Maharashtra ahead of the upcoming municipal elections as the AIMIM, led by Asaduddin Owaisi, announced its participation in 27 municipal corporations. Following the announcement, Maharashtra Minister Sanjay Shirsat of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena demanded that the Election Commission ban AIMIM’s “kite” election symbol, citing a clash with the traditional Makar Sankranti kite-flying festival. Shirsat, representing Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (formerly Aurangabad), argued that since the municipal polls coincide with Makar Sankranti on January 15, the kite symbol could create confusion among voters. AIMIM Rejects Demand, Challenges ShirsatAIMIM leader and former Aurangabad MP Imtiaz Jalil dismissed the demand as “ridiculous.” He stated, “I will definitely fly ki...

Mumbai: Ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, the ruling Mahayuti alliance of BJP and Shinde-led Shiv Sena has begun negotiations on seat-sharing. However, Ajit Pawar’s NCP has been excluded from the alliance. Shinde’s faction of Shiv Sena has reportedly staked a claim for 100 seats in the 227-seat civic body. NCP Kept Out of MahayutiThe BJP has refused to ally with Ajit Pawar’s NCP for the elections scheduled on 15 January 2026. Sources say BJP’s objections stem from NCP leader Nawab Malik’s alleged links with money laundering cases connected to underworld don Dawood Ibrahim. Meanwhile, BJP is in talks with the Republican Party of India (RPI), led by Union Minister Ramdas Athawale, to strengthen its alliance. Winning Target for MahayutiBJP leaders, includi...

In a significant political development ahead of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, former Shiv Sena UBT councillor Tejasvee Ghosalkar has officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The induction took place in the presence of Mumbai BJP Chief Amit Satam, marking a major setback for Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena UBT. Tejasvee, a member of the influential Ghosalkar family from Dahisar, had been increasingly dissatisfied with her party for some time. Her resignation from Shiv Sena UBT earlier was met with attempts by Thackeray to reconcile, but the efforts failed. This move comes amidst speculation about her political alignment after her appointment as director in a BJP-controlled bank, which had already raised questions about her loyalty to Shiv Sena. Personal Tra...