In a shocking incident outside the Bombay High Court in south Mumbai on Monday, a man allegedly attempted to set himself ablaze, causing panic in the busy Fort area, officials said. The incident briefly disrupted traffic movement near the court. The court staff, lawyers, police personnel, and bystanders rushed to help the man and managed to extinguish the flames, they said. He was immediately shifted to GT Hospital in a critical condition, said an official. Hospital officials stated that he has suffered 50 to 60 per cent burn injuries. His condition is described as serious, and he is under close medical supervision. Dispute may be linked to project According to the officials, preliminary information suggests that the man allegedly took the extreme step following a dispute. Police are verifying the exact circumstances and recording statements from witnesses. Authorities said he is a project-affected person from the Naradave Medium Irrigation Project in Kankavli, Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra. The police officials were examining whether the dispute was linked to the issues. Police said that the exact circumstances and sequence of events leading up to the incident are being verified. Statements of witnesses present at the spot are being recorded as part of the investigation. Probe launched A case has been registered at Azad Maidan police station, and further inquiry is underway. Police are also checking CCTV footage from nearby areas and coordinating with hospital authorities to track developments related to his medical condition. Need help? below are suicide prevention helplines- Samaritans Mumbai (Monday to Friday from 10 am to 4 pm): 84229-84527 Connecting NGO (From 10 am to 8 pm): 9922004305/9922001122 Snehi (From 10 am to 10 pm): 9376804102 1 Life: 7893078930 Aasra: 9820466726
15 December,2025 09:17 PM IST | Mumbai | Anish PatilIn a major breakthrough, the Maharashtra Excise Department seized Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL) worth more than Rs 1.82 crore in Navi Mumbai on Monday, news agency PTI reported. Thane Superintendent of State Excise Pravin Tambe said, “Based on a tip-off, a special patrolling operation was conducted on Mahape to Thane Road in Navi Mumbai on December 15, during which 1,550 boxes of Goa-made IMFL were seized from a vehicle." While briefing about the operation, he also highlighted that the vehicle's driver, identified as Bhagirathram Hiraram Godara, has been arrested, PTI reported. “The operation was carried out as part of a special enforcement drive undertaken by the department ahead of Christmas and New Year,” Tambe said. Illegal liquor worth Rs 20.65 lakh seized in Palghar Police have seized Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL), valued at Rs 20.65 lakh, being transported illegally, and arrested three persons in Maharashtra's Palghar district, officials said on Tuesday. During routine surveillance earlier in November, a tempo was intercepted based on suspicion on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway, Naigaon Police Station's Senior Inspector Sanjay Hazare said. "On inspection, we found it was transporting a large stock of IMFL without any valid permits. The liquor was being smuggled out of Maharashtra and headed towards Gujarat, where prohibition is in force," he said. Furthermore, the police seized the contraband and arrested Aziz Usman Dela (63), a transporter from Kashimira in the neighbouring Thane district; driver Nayeem Rafiq Bhai Payak (23); and Raju Lakhabhai Dudhwa (35), both from Bhavnagar in Gujarat, the official said. However, an FIR was registered against them under the Prohibition Act, PTI reported. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister (CM) Ajit Pawar had earlier announced that shops selling IMFL or country liquor must secure mandatory consent from registered housing societies before operating from commercial spaces within their premises. Pawar, who heads the excise department, has directed that the policy be enforced statewide. "Permission from registered housing societies will now be compulsory for both categories of liquor shops. The policy must be enforced uniformly throughout Maharashtra," Pawar told the Lower House of the state legislature while responding to a question raised by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Shankar Jagtap, who represents the Chinchwad Assembly Constituency in Pune District. (With PTI inputs)
15 December,2025 09:03 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe State Election Commission (SEC) has announced that elections to 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), will be held on January 15, 2026. Polling will be held from 7.30 am to 5.30 pm on January 15 and the counting of votes will take place on January 16, 2026. State Election Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare made the announcement at a press conference in Mumbai. He said that the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) has come into force from December 15, 2025, across all municipal corporation areas. Model Code of Conduct come into effect With the announcement of the election schedule, the Model Code of Conduct has come into effect in all municipal corporation areas. No policy decisions related to these areas can be taken during this period, except in cases of natural disasters or emergency relief. Municipal Corporations and term expiry Out of the 29 municipal corporations Jalna and Ichalkaranji are newly formed, the terms of five corporations ended in 2020 and the terms of 18 corporations ended in 2022. According to the officials, the terms of four corporations ended in 2023 and the BMC’s term ended in March 2022. Notification dates and voting time The election notification for the BMC will be issued on December 16, 2025, while notifications for the remaining 28 municipal corporations will be issued on December 18, 2025. Multi-member ward system According to the State Election Commission, except for the BMC elections in the remaining 28 municipal corporations will be held under a multi-member ward system. In the BMC, voters will cast one vote per ward In other corporations, voters may cast three to five votes, depending on the number of seats in the ward. Nomination process offline Although an online system is available, the SEC has decided that nomination papers will be accepted only offline for municipal corporation elections, considering demands from political parties and candidates. Caste validity certificate rules Candidates contesting from reserved seats must submit a caste certificate and caste validity certificate with their nomination papers. If the caste validity certificate is not available, candidates must submit proof of application and an undertaking to produce the certificate within six months of the election result. Failure to do so will result in cancellation of the election retrospectively. Voters, polling stations and EVMs According to the SEC, there are 3.48 crore voters across the 29 municipal corporations. To conduct the elections: - 39,147 polling stations have been set up - 43,958 control units and 87,916 ballot units of EVMs will be used - For the BMC alone 10,111 polling stations, 11,349 control units, 22,698 ballot units. Measures against duplicate voters The voter lists are based on Assembly constituency electoral rolls as of July 1, 2025. The SEC has taken steps to identify possible duplicate voters. Such names are marked with a special symbol in the voter list. Voters with duplicate entries will be allowed to vote only at the polling station selected after verification. ‘Matadhikar’ mobile app The SEC has launched the ‘Matadhikar’ mobile app to help voters -- search their name in the voter list, find polling station details and also view candidate information. "The app is available on the Google Play Store. Voters can search using their full name or EPIC number," said an official. The SEC has directed all municipal commissioners to run large-scale voter awareness campaigns to increase turnout. Facilities for senior citizens and persons with disabilities The poll officials said that special arrangements will be made at polling stations for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, pregnant women and women with infants. The facilities will include ramps, wheelchairs, drinking water, shade, electricity and toilets. "Mobile phones will not be allowed inside polling stations," said an official. Election staff and security - 290 Returning Officers - 870 Assistant Returning Officers - Nearly 1.96 lakh election staff have been deployed to ensure smooth conduct of the elections. Campaigning deadline Campaigning will end at 5.30 pm on January 14, 2026. No political advertisements will be allowed in print, electronic or social media after this time. The officials said that the Media Certification and Monitoring Committees (MCMC) will be set up at municipal and state levels to certify political advertisements, monitor paid news and address complaints related to media coverage. Key election dates - Nominations: December 23 to December 30, 2025 - Scrutiny: December 31, 2025 - Withdrawal deadline: January 2, 2026 - Symbols and final candidate list: January 3, 2026 - Polling: January 15, 2026 - Counting: January 16, 2026
15 December,2025 08:54 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentShiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Monday alleged that the Maharashtra Government’s real intention behind introducing a regulatory framework for old “pagdi” system buildings is to evict their occupants from Mumbai and benefit landlords and builders, news agency PTI reported. He demanded that all tenants living in these structures be declared legal occupants and granted protection. “There have been instances where buildings are in a dilapidated condition and they are trying to throw the occupants out. The announcement by the housing minister was made for landowners and builders,” Thackeray said at a press conference, adding, “They want to drive away lakhs of Mumbaikars living in these pagdi houses out of the city.” Referring to the banners proclaiming a “pagdi-mukt Mumbai”, the Worli Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) said, “They want to drive them (occupants of these buildings) out of Mumbai.” He questioned the new policy, which states that occupants will receive the same carpet area after redevelopment, PTI reported. “Why should they not get more space if the building or residential premises get redeveloped?” he asked. Thackeray also criticised the government, saying, “This is not a people’s government,” and labelled the BJP as the “builder janta party.” 'High-frequency defence radars in Mumbai be shifted to facilitate redevelopment' He further demanded that high-frequency defence radars in Mumbai be shifted to facilitate redevelopment of surrounding areas, noting that existing norms were hampering growth. Last week, Deputy Chief Minister and Housing Minister Eknath Shinde had announced the new regulatory framework for redeveloping buildings under the “pagdi” system, calling it a “historic decision” aimed at eventually making Mumbai free of such properties. Shinde had said some structures had already been redeveloped, while several collapsed, and nearly 13,000 are awaiting reconstruction. Tenants in these buildings enjoy protection under the Maharashtra Rent Control Act, while landlords claim they do not get fair compensation due to tenants’ extensive rights, Shinde had noted. The announcement, made ahead of the crucial BMC elections, is expected to benefit thousands of tenants. The pagdi system—a rent control arrangement—has shaped housing in much of south and central Mumbai for decades. Under this model, tenants are partial owners who pay nominal rent, can sublet or sell the property, and enjoy near-lifelong occupancy in exchange for an upfront payment. However, the system has been criticised for opacity and bureaucratic hurdles that stalled redevelopment of these structures. (With PTI inputs)
15 December,2025 08:49 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Monday that the BJP and Shiv Sena will contest the upcoming civic elections together in most municipalities, reported the PTI. He said that the efforts were also underway to finalise seat-sharing arrangements among the Mahayuti allies, including the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), in as many corporations as possible. Fadnavis stated that the prolonged rule by administrators in several urban bodies was against democratic principles. He welcomed the State Election Commission’s (SEC) announcement of the schedule for elections to 29 municipal corporations, including the cash-rich BMC 2026 polls in Mumbai. Mahayuti will work together CM Fadnavis said the Mahayuti alliance, which includes BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP, will generally work together. However, in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, the BJP and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP are likely to contest separately, in what he called a friendly contest, due to both parties being major players in the region, according to the PTI. "There will be a BJP-Shiv Sena alliance in most cities, while in some areas, BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP may contest together," CM Fadnavis said, as per the PTI. "In a few places, BJP and NCP might also form an alliance. Shiv Sena will remain part of the Mahayuti almost everywhere," he said. He expressed confidence that the Mahayuti coalition would secure a majority in municipal bodies, citing the development work carried out by the government over the last five years. Friendly contests in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad CM Fadnavis noted that in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, a separate contest between the BJP and NCP would be amicable, without any hostility. He highlighted the BJP’s contribution to urban development in these cities and said discussions with Ajit Pawar had ensured a cooperative approach, the news agency reported. Electoral concerns On concerns about electoral rolls, CM Fadnavis said discrepancies could not justify postponing elections. He mentioned that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process had begun to address these issues. He also suggested that in future, electoral rolls could be placed on blockchain to enhance accuracy and transparency, as per the PTI. Regarding Nagpur and Chandrapur, he noted that reservation quotas had breached the 50 per cent ceiling. Although the Supreme Court has allowed elections, results will be subject to final court decisions. Development projects and urban governance Speaking after inaugurating development projects worth Rs 3,000 crore, CM Fadnavis reiterated that the upcoming civic polls would give the public a chance to support continued urban development, the news agency reported.
15 December,2025 08:12 PM IST | Pune | mid-day online correspondentMumbai is set to get a world-class Central Park spread over 295 acres, combining the open space at Mahalaxmi Racecourse and the Coastal Road area. The proposal was presented to Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on December 15, 2025. A presentation on the project was attended by Mumbai Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani and city's famous architect Hafeez Contractor, officials said. Shinde described the park as “the biggest gift for Mumbaikars”, ensuring no concrete structures will be built, and the historical heritage of the racecourse will remain untouched. Park features and sports complex The 125-acre Mahalaxmi Racecourse area will host the main Central Park, while the 170-acre Coastal Road area will complement it, making a total of 295 acres. Underneath the park, a 10 lakh sq. ft. world-class sports complex will be developed, offering facilities for international sports as well as traditional Indian games like Kho-Kho and Kabaddi, an official statement said. Shinde said that visitors could even see horses in the park, and the park surface will remain free of any structures except pathways. A 1,200-meter underground passage will connect the park to Mumbai Coastal Road, allowing smooth traffic flow. The project has a tender of Rs 550 crore, and the designs were prepared by Hafeez Contractor, the statement said. Central Park features - City Forest (12 acres): Reducing pollution and providing oxygen. - Gardens and Open Concert Grounds (77 acres) - Botanical Garden, Indoor Concert Arena, Convention Centre (31 acres) - Multi-Sport Arena beneath Central Garden: Including aquatics, boxing, skating, gymnastics, basketball, and other facilities for youth and sports enthusiasts. Connectivity and transportation BMC chief Bhushan Gagrani on Monday stated that the park will be connected to Metro 3’s Nehru Science Centre station via an underground corridor, which will extend along Annie Besant Road to Haji Ali and connect to Coastal Road. Coastal Road parking will have the capacity for 1,200 cars and 100 buses, ensuring proper traffic management. The Central Park will act as a 300-acre oxygen park, helping reduce pollution in Mumbai, said the officials. Shinde also noted that road concreting across the city will complete by May, and sewage treatment projects by 6 December 2026, fulfilling the government’s promises. Thane to get India’s tallest viewing tower and snow park Thane will see a 50-acre area developed with India’s tallest viewing tower, standing at 260 meters (Eiffel Tower is 300 meters). Other attractions include convention Centre at Kasarvadavali, 25-acre town park at Kolset, Agri-Koli museum, aquarium and science centre and an international standard snow park along with a amusement park, and adventure park, the official statement said. The park will also have a 12.5-acre bird museum, 25-acre musical concert centre and a 50-acre advanced sports complex, it said. Thane Municipal Corporation will develop an 18.4 km green corridor, connecting with Sanjay Gandhi National Park along Mira-Bhayandar border, it said. Shinde said these projects will enhance sports infrastructure, recreational facilities, and the quality of life for Thane residents. Most of these projects will be developed under BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) model. The officials said that the Mahalaxmi Racecourse, previously accessible only to the elite, will now be open to the public. The Central Park will serve as Mumbai’s major oxygen park. They said that the complete layout of the park has been prepared by Hafeez Contractor and the tenders for the park are already underway. "The racecourse’s heritage will remain preserved," said the officials, adding that three interconnected zones over 120 acres will be linked underground for smooth traffic flow.
15 December,2025 07:41 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMumbai Metro commuters on the Aqua Line faced delays of up to 20 minutes on Monday evening due to a technical problem, sources said. Around 5 pm, a door closure issue was reported at Worli and Bandra metro stations on the down line, causing trains to run late, they said. The ground staff at CSMT Metro station confirmed that the problem was later resolved. However, officials stated that it could take at least another hour before the train schedules are fully back on time. "Commuters are advised to plan their journeys accordingly," the officials said. Further details are awaited.
15 December,2025 07:19 PM IST | Mumbai | Ritika GondhalekarThe Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in Mumbai on Monday issued a travel advisory as dense fog gripped northern India, news agency ANI reported. CSMIA, in a post on social media, has urged passengers to check their flight status before leaving for the airport to avoid delays or cancellations. The advisory issued by CSMIA stated, "Due to heavy fog across parts of northern India, some flight operations may be impacted.” #PassengerAdvisory pic.twitter.com/Nt2Cwvnu18 — Mumbai Airport (@CSMIA_Official) December 15, 2025 It further added, “Passengers are advised to check the airport's/respective airline's official website or mobile app for real-time updates and the latest flight information before proceeding to the airport. We appreciate your cooperation as we strive to facilitate safe and seamless journeys." Earlier on Monday, the Ministry of Civil Aviation had also issued a heavy fog alert for airports across northern India. The ministry further warned that dense fog has significantly reduced visibility and disrupted flight operations, including arrivals and departures, particularly in Delhi, reported ANI. The Civil Aviation Ministry has also urged passengers to check their flight status with airlines before leaving for the airport and to monitor updates on airport websites or mobile applications. Travellers have been additionally asked to allow extra time for their journeys due to possible fog-related delays. While posting on social media handle X, the Ministry of Civil Aviation wrote, "Heavy Fog Alert for Northern India. Delhi (DEL) and other airports in Northern India are experiencing dense fog, severely affecting visibility. “ “For Passengers: Before heading to the airport, please check the latest flight status with your airline. Check flight information on the airport website/app. Please allow extra travel time. Safety is our top priority. Our teams & ATC are working tirelessly to minimise disruptions. Thank you for your patience and cooperation," the post added. Furthermore, the Ministry of Civil Aviation also emphasised that safety remains the top priority, noting that airport teams and air traffic controllers are working diligently to minimise disruptions. Mumbai's CSMIA witnesses 4.77 million passengers in November The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) maintained its momentum in November 2024, achieving significant growth in passenger traffic and operational efficiency. The airport witnessed 4.77 million passengers, comprising 3.40 million domestic and 1.37 million international travellers, an official statement said. The statement further said that, “The performance highlights CSMIA's position as a leading aviation hub, offering smooth travel experiences and enhancing connectivity between regions.” Sharing the data, the CSMIA said that during the month, the Mumbai airport handled 27,200 Air Traffic Movements (ATMs) (19,696 domestic ATMs, including freighters, and 7,504 international ATMs, including cargo freighters). The busiest day was recorded on 27th November 2024, with 941 flights on a single day. The strong performance was driven by growing demand for both domestic and international air travel during the festive season. (With inputs from ANI)
15 December,2025 07:13 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe polling dates for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections 2026 have been released by the State Election Commission (SEC). The elections would be held in a single phase on January 15, 2026. The polling would be conducted on 227 wards in the Greater Mumbai region. The counting of votes and declaration of results will take place on January 16. The election code of conduct comes into effect from December 15, 2025. State Election Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare and Secretary Suresh Kakani addressed a press conference at Sahyadari Guest House, Malabar Hill, on Monday at 4 pm. Nominations can be filed between December 23 and December 30, 2025, with the scrutiny of nominations scheduled for December 31. Candidates have until January 2, 2026, to withdraw their candidature, and the allotment of election symbols along with the publication of the final candidate list will take place on January 3, 2026. Twenty-eight of the 29 civic corporations are set to have multi-member wards. The voter turnout is expected to increase significantly by 3 crore 48 lakh. In Mumbai alone, there are 10,111 polling stations. Nomination forms for the elections will need to be submitted offline, as per the latest instructions from the State Election Commission. Earlier, on November 27, the Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC) extended the deadlines for finalising voter lists in the 29 municipal corporations across the state. This move aims to provide additional time for voter verification and to ensure the accuracy of the electoral rolls. In the last civic election, in 2017, the undivided Shiv Sena retained its hold on one of the richest municipal corporations in Asia, winning 84 seats while the BJP and Congress bagged 82 and 31, respectively. Subsequently, six out of seven Maharashtra Navnirman Sena corporators joined the Shiv Sena. After the Shiv Sena split in 2022, around 26 former corporators who won in 2017 joined Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s Sena faction. The term for elected Corporators in the BMC officially ended in March 2022, leading to the appointment of the Municipal Commissioner as administrator to run the city's affairs until new elections. The Supreme Court of India directed the State Election Commission to complete all local body elections by 31 January 2026, as the polls have been due since 2022. The estimated budget of the BMC for 2025-26 is Rs. 74,427 crore, and expenditure stands at Rs. 43,162 crore, representing 58 per cent of the total budget allocated to development projects. The BMC polls are expected to witness a direct contest between two major alliances in the state: the ruling Mahayuti and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). The Mahayuti, which currently governs Maharashtra, comprises the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde, and the Ajit Pawar-led faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). The main opposition alliance, the MVA, includes the Indian National Congress, the Shiv Sena faction led by Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray, and the Sharad Pawar-led faction of the NCP-SP. After remaining politically apart for nearly two decades, the Thackeray brothers, Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray, have reunited. The move is being seen as a significant development in Mumbai’s political landscape, with the alliance expected to reshape electoral dynamics in the civic polls.
15 December,2025 06:32 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe State Election Commission (SEC), Maharashtra, on Monday announced the detailed election programme for the general elections to 29 municipal corporations across the state, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The announcement follows directions issued by the Supreme Court in a batch of petitions, which mandate that elections to all local self-government bodies be completed by January 31, 2026, subject to the final outcome of the pending cases. In an official communication to all municipal corporation commissioners, the SEC said the ward structure and reservation process has been finalised, while final ward-wise voter lists were certified and published on December 15, 2025. Poll schedule According to the election programme: Polling will be held on January 15, 2026, from 7.30 am to 5.30 pm Counting of votes and declaration of results will take place on January 16, 2026 Results will be published in the Government Gazette by January 19, 2026 Separate schedules have been notified for 28 municipal corporations and the BMC, though the polling and counting dates remain the same. Nomination process The SEC clarified that nomination forms will be accepted through the traditional offline method only, with candidates required to submit printed forms along with affidavits and supporting documents within the prescribed time. Nomination forms will be issued from December 23 to December 30, 2025, excluding December 25 and December 28. Scrutiny of nominations will be conducted on December 31, while the last date for withdrawal of candidature is January 2, 2026. Election symbols will be allotted on January 3. Caste validity certificate provision Candidates contesting from reserved seats must submit caste and caste validity certificates. However, as per an amendment introduced through a government ordinance dated November 3, 2025, candidates who are unable to furnish a caste validity certificate at the time of filing nominations may submit an acknowledgement receipt instead. Such candidates must submit the caste validity certificate within six months of being elected, failing which their election will be cancelled with retrospective effect, the SEC said. Model code of conduct in force The model code of conduct has come into force with immediate effect and will remain applicable until the declaration of results. The code applies across all municipal corporation areas going to polls. The SEC has prohibited ministers, MPs, MLAs, corporators, and government departments from announcing or distributing freebies or taking any action that could influence voters during the election period. The SEC clarified that elections to all 29 municipal corporations will remain subject to the final decision of the Supreme Court in Special Leave Petition and other connected matters. Municipal commissioners have been directed to monitor court cases related to the elections and immediately inform the commission if any stay orders are issued. The complete election programme has been uploaded on the SEC's website: https://mahasec.maharashtra.gov.in, officials said.
15 December,2025 05:34 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra Minister Sanjay Shirsat on Monday claimed that the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) will face defeat in the upcoming BMC elections, alleging the party has lost both its organisational strength and public connect, reported the PTI. Speaking to reporters, Shirsat, who belongs to Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena, said that the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction has been left without a functioning cadre. “They neither meet citizens nor support their own workers. Around 55–57 corporators elected earlier are now with us. They are struggling to even find candidates,” he claimed, according to the PTI. Mumbai Polls a fight for survival Calling the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election crucial, Shirsat said that it was the last major battle for the Uddhav Thackeray-led party. “This election will determine their very existence. It is hard to imagine where the party will stand after the polls,” he said. Criticism of Uddhav Thackeray’s priorities Shirsat accused Uddhav Thackeray of focusing on political posts rather than public issues. “He was more concerned about securing the Leader of Opposition post during the Maharashtra Assembly Winter Session than raising matters affecting ordinary people,” the minister said. High ticket demand in Mahayuti Commenting on local body polls across Maharashtra, Shirsat acknowledged intense competition for tickets within the ruling Mahayuti alliance, which includes the BJP and Ajit Pawar’s NCP. “Only one person can be given a ticket, so dissatisfaction is natural. Some leaders may go here and there, and we cannot stop them,” he said, the news agency reported on Monday. Responding to claims by Bahujan Vikas Aghadi leader Prakash Ambedkar that Eknath Shinde could return as chief minister, Shirsat said the issue was not relevant at present. “Any future decision will be taken collectively by the NDA and the Mahayuti,” he added, the news agency reported,. Former Shiv Sena (UBT) corporator Tejasvee Ghosalkar joins BJP Meanwhile, Tejasvee Ghosalkar joined the BJP on Monday in the presence of the party’s Mumbai president Ameet Satam and MLC Pravin Darekar. Speaking to reporters afterwards, Ghosalkar said she had worked sincerely in the Shiv Sena (UBT) and would now put in even greater effort for her new party.“I will accept any responsibility assigned to me by the party. There are many things I would like to say, but this is not the right time,” she said, according to the PTI. She also voiced disappointment over the slow progress of the investigation into the murder of her husband. “The CBI probe into my husband’s murder is moving at a slow pace. I hope it will be completed at the earliest,” she said. In September last year, the Bombay High Court transferred the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), citing lapses and unresolved aspects in the police inquiry. Ghosalkar served as a corporator of the then undivided Shiv Sena between 2017 and 2022. She later resigned from her positions in the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), citing personal reasons. (with PTI inputs)
15 December,2025 04:26 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
