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.
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.
A misleading video, falsely attributed to Maharashtra, has been circulating on social media, with claims attacking the state's Deputy Chief Minister. The 1.09 minute video, posted by a Shiv Sena leader, shows vehicles driving over a massive pothole, alongside a billboard featuring the politician responsible for the state's road maintenance. However, a fact check revealed that the footage is actually from China and not related to Maharashtra at all.
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.
Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut has suggested that Uddhav Thackeray will be the chief ministerial face of the MVA alliance in the upcoming Maharashtra elections. However, the final decision will be made after discussions with the alliance partners. This comes after the previous MVA government led by Thackeray was toppled in 2022. Opposition parties have responded by asking for focus on winning the election rather than dreaming about the chief minister's post.
At a joint meeting of the opposition alliance Maha Vikas Aghadi, Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray announced his support for any candidate nominated by the Congress and NCP (SP) as the Chief Ministerial candidate for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections. The meeting was attended by top leaders including Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule, and Thackeray emphasized the need for unity in fighting for the rights and pride of Maharashtra. The Election Commission is expected to announce the schedule for the elections soon and Thackeray's statement has added a new twist to the political landscape in the state.
Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray has demanded that the voting time for the Maharashtra Legislative Council Polls be extended by an hour due to heavy rains in Mumbai. With 222 MLAs already casting their votes by 12 pm, the elections have gained momentum as 12 candidates are vying for the 11 seats in the council. The Congress, the NCP (SP) and the Shiv Sena (UBT) are allies in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, and have issued a directive for party MLAs to vote for MVA candidates, making the outcome of the elections crucial for all parties involved.
The much-awaited Maharashtra Legislative Council biennial election for 11 seats concluded on Friday after 274 Assembly members cast their votes. A total of 12 candidates are in the fray, with a winning quota of 23. The ruling MahaYuti and the Maha Vikas Aghadi have taken precautions to prevent cross-voting, such as keeping legislators in five-star hotels and bringing them to the legislature in special buses. The BJP, Shiv Sena, NCP, and Congress have fielded their nominees, with BJP and Shiv Sena confident in the victory of their candidates given their respective legislative support.
In a shocking turn of events, Milind Deora has accused the son of a prominent Shiv Sena leader for causing a fatal BMW crash. The incident, which occurred on July 9, 2024, has left one person dead and a passenger severely injured. Deora has vowed to seek justice for the victims and assured that the perpetrator will be arrested soon. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
Business "Maharashtra MPs Take Oath in Unique Languages, Prove Unity Amidst Political Differences" The oath-taking ceremony of the 18th Lok Sabha has been ongoing in the first session of the Lower House of Parliament. Prominent figures from Maharashtra, including Narayan Rane, Supriya Sule, Arvind Sawant, and Shrikant Shinde, took their oaths in various languages, showcasing the diversity and unity in the state. Most of the MPs took their oaths in Marathi, while some opted for English and Hindi. This display of linguistic harmony amidst political differences highlights the importance of unity in a diverse democracy like India.