The much-anticipated Maharashtra Assembly Elections for 2024 kicked off on Wednesday, with all 288 constituencies heading to the polls. With a total of 4,140 candidates in the running, the real competition lies between the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and Mahayuti alliances. The MVA, composed of Shiv Sena (under Uddhav Thackeray), NCP (led by Sharad Pawar), and Congress, is going head to head with Mahayuti, which includes Shiv Sena (under Eknath Shinde), NCP (under Ajit Pawar), and BJP. Mark your calendars for key dates of the election: Gazette Notification on October 22, Last Date for Nominations on October 29, Nomination Scrutiny on October 30, Last Date for Withdrawal of Nominations on November 4, and Voting Day on November 20.
As Maharashtra gears up for the upcoming Assembly elections, national leaders take a backseat as state leaders become the focal point of the political landscape. With marquee leaders like Eknath Shinde of Shiv Sena and Devendra Fadnavis of BJP fighting for their own dominance, the role of regional leaders becomes crucial. Amidst this, Deputy CM Ajit Pawar faces the heat while Uddhav Thackeray struggles to establish himself as the real Shiv Sena leader. The Congress also adopts a localised strategy, leaving the NCP camp to rely on the master strategist, Sharad Pawar. With multiple factors at play, the Maharashtra elections have become a highly contested battle with each of the 288 constituencies being influenced by distinct issues.
Ahead of the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly Elections, Shiv Sena released a list of 65 candidates, including Kedar Dighe, the nephew of late party leader Anand Dighe, who will challenge current Chief Minister Eknath Shinde for the Kopri-Pachpakhadi seat. The party also signaled Shinde as their top choice for the chief ministerial position in the meeting prior to the candidate announcement. The list includes many incumbent MLAs who have stayed loyal to party leader Uddhav Thackeray after the split in 2022.
Former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique was fatally shot outside his son's office in Mumbai on Saturday evening. Two suspects have been detained and the case has been handed over to the crime branch. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has promised to ensure the arrest of all those involved, while the Opposition has condemned the state's "deteriorating" law and order situation, blaming the government for supporting criminals.
The Mahakaleshwar temple in Madhya Pradesh's Ujjain has landed in a controversy after Lok Sabha member Shrikant Shinde, the son of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, was allowed entry into the sanctum sanctorum, which has been banned for a year. An investigation has been ordered and action will be taken against those responsible. The incident has sparked criticism from the opposition and has raised questions about VIP treatment in religious places, while common citizens have to wait for hours for darshan. Meanwhile, noted filmmakers Rajkumar Hirani and Vijay Varma discuss the impact of the pandemic on cinema and the importance of creative instincts over box office numbers.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde indirectly criticized former CM and Shiv Sena UBT president Uddhav Thackeray during the Shiv Sena's annual Dussehra rally. Shinde, without mentioning Thackeray's name, questioned his ability to become the state's next CM, pointing out that even his own allies don't support him. With the upcoming assembly elections approaching, Shinde's speech also touched on government schemes and projects, and vowed to continue the legacy of Balasaheb Thackeray. Meanwhile, strict immigration policies in Canada have led to a rise in enrolment in Punjab's colleges, and have also impacted the local politics in the state with several young men being elected as village heads.
Veteran and former Maharashtra minister, Baba Siddique was shot dead by unknown assailants while on his way to his son's office in Mumbai. Police have arrested two suspects and are still searching for a third. This unfortunate incident has raised concerns about the security of political leaders in the state, especially after another NCP leader was killed just a week ago. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has promised strict action against those responsible for taking law into their own hands.
Baba Siddique, a senior Mumbai politician and former Maharashtra minister, was shot dead outside his son's office by unidentified assailants. The incident has sparked outrage and condemnation from opposition leaders who blame the government for the deteriorating law and order situation in the state. Two people have been arrested in connection with the shooting. Video of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde speaking on the incident has also been released.
Eknath Shinde, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, arrived at Breach Candy Hospital to pay his respects to the late Ratan Tata. In a statement, he mourned the loss of the "gem of India" and highlighted Tata's impact on society and his role as a patriot. The public will have the opportunity to pay their respects at NCPA as his relatives have announced a six-hour darshan for the legendary businessman.
The news of the demise of Ratan Tata, one of India's most revered businessmen, has left the nation in mourning. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced that Tata will be given a state funeral and expressed his grief over the loss of a leader who inspired and motivated many. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid tribute to Tata's passion towards philanthropy and described him as an extraordinary human being. Tata's legacy of humility, generosity, and purpose will continue to inspire generations to come.