A late-night meeting between leaders of the ruling NCP and Opposition NCP (SP) at the Maharashtra Chief Minister's residence has sparked intense speculation about shifting political dynamics in the state. This comes as the BJP reportedly seeks support for the 131st Constitution Amendment Bill, which proposes to increase Lok Sabha seats and initiate delimitation, a move criticised by Congress leader P Chidambaram for potentially disadvantaging states that controlled population growth.
Nationalist Congress Party national working president Praful Patel has dismissed claims of a rift within the party, specifically addressing a legal challenge to Sunetra Pawar's election as party president. A national secretary, Sachchidanand Singh, alleged the election was unconstitutional, but Patel stated the letter carries no weight and senior leaders support Sunetra Pawar. The dispute highlights internal dynamics following the demise of Ajit Pawar.
The Nationalist Congress Party in Maharashtra has swiftly distanced itself from MLA Sana Malik's controversial statements on talaq and polygamy, reiterating its firm commitment to women's rights and constitutional principles.
A delegation of NCP (SP) Lok Sabha MPs, led by Supriya Sule, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss various issues concerning Maharashtra, including drought, onion prices, and river pollution. The meeting, which lasted about 15 minutes, did not include discussions on the FCRA Amendments Bill, which Sule opposes. This follows a previous meeting between Sharad Pawar, Sule, and the PM regarding student and farmer issues.
Maharashtra Congress on Tuesday branded deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar a "gungi gudiya" (mute doll), drawing a sharp rebuttal from the Nationalist Congress Party, which asked if the Opposition party now endorses the infamous slur once hurled at former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
The meeting comes amid the speculation that the Sharad Pawar led NCP may join the ruling alliance.
At this point at 85, Sharad Pawar is like a mature but ageing trapeze artist who is assessing if he will still land on his feet if he jumps from the safe perch of INDIA to the NDA. Can a Great Betrayal be presented as a tactical move? Watch Sharad Pawar do it, predicts Aditi Phadnis.
Shiv Sena (UBT) head Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde have been directed by a Thane magistrate's court to appear in connection with a 17-year-old defamation complaint. The case, filed by late NCP leader Vasant Davkhare, relates to a controversial video screened during the 2009 Lok Sabha elections.
A local court in Pune has remanded NCP (SP) spokesperson Vikas Lawande in judicial custody until June 6 over controversial statements he made about leaders of the Warkari sect. The court cited insufficient grounds for police remand. Police admitted to inadvertently mentioning the wrong crime number in an earlier reply opposing interim protection from arrest.
Amid renewed speculation about political realignments and a potential merger, senior leaders from two Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) factions met Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. NCP (SP) working president Supriya Sule clarified her party's position on the proposed Delimitation Bill, stating that while a uniform 50 per cent increase in seats across states would be hard to oppose, any final decision would be made after discussions within the INDIA bloc.
Senior NCP (SP) leader Jayant Patil has criticised the Maharashtra government over farmer suicides and crimes against women, alleging widespread corruption within the ruling alliance.
NCP leader Rupali Chakankar appeared before a special investigation team (SIT) for questioning regarding her alleged association with self-styled godman Ashok Kharat, who is under arrest in rape and sexual exploitation cases. Chakankar, who resigned as the state women's panel chief, has pledged full cooperation with the probe.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has said that the Congress will oppose the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill and the issue will also be discussed at the meeting of floor leaders of opposition parties on Monday.
A Mumbai police constable has been terminated for dereliction of duty as a bodyguard to former NCP leader Baba Siddique, who was murdered in October 2024.
Major bills, including those on women's reservation, delimitation, and the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), face an uncertain future in the ongoing Monsoon session of Parliament due to persistent opposition protests and a lack of consensus.
A recent meeting between veteran politician Sharad Pawar and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has ignited a fierce internal conflict within the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, with Shiv Sena-UBT expressing strong disapproval and NCP-SP defending Pawar.
A Pune court has granted bail to NCP (SP) office-bearer Mahadev Balgude, ruling that criticism of the government or chief minister does not constitute "waging war" against the nation. The court emphasised every citizen's right to comment on and criticise government actions, noting that the charges under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Section 152 were debatable.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and NDA leaders reviewed India's progress in international sports and significant growth in youth employment opportunities at their weekly parliamentary meeting.
Police in Pune have registered a rioting case against a religious preacher and his supporters after an ink attack on an NCP (SP) spokesperson, following accusations of targeting spiritual leaders.
A Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader was attacked and seriously injured by unidentified assailants in Maharashtra's Beed district, prompting a police investigation.
Parliament embraced Gen Z lingo during a Lok Sabha debate on the crucial anti-paper leak amendment bill.
A viral video shows a plainclothes policeman allegedly manhandling a woman protester during a NEET paper leak demonstration in Mumbai.
NCP (SP) leader Eknath Khadse has firmly stated his disinterest in rejoining the BJP, despite being called by Amit Shah, and affirmed his commitment to Sharad Pawar, dismissing recent speculation about his political future.
Maharashtra NCP president Sunil Tatkare has acknowledged awareness of merger talks between his party and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP-SP, while reaffirming the party's commitment to the BJP-led NDA alliance.
An education baron from Jalgaon district in Maharashtra, associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party, has been arrested in connection with the alleged Shalarth ID scam, which involves creating fake identities of teachers on a government portal and withdrawing salaries in their names.
'They probably imagine any hue and cry in the event Sheikh Hasina is hanged will be shortlived as it happened when Bhutto was hanged in Pakistan in 1979.'
Two months after the death of Ajit Pawar, leaders within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) are advocating for a merger with the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP), amidst internal disputes and banner controversies.
An 8-year-old girl was allegedly sexually assaulted by a security guard in Mumbai's Pydhonie area, leading to his arrest and widespread public protests. Hundreds gathered outside the police station, demanding swift justice and stricter laws, drawing attention from political figures like MLA Rohit Pawar.
Educator and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk's indefinite hunger strike has entered its 20th day, with doctors warning of his critical health condition. Despite this, Wangchuk is resolute in his call for a peaceful march to Parliament on July 20, coinciding with the Monsoon Session's opening, to protest alleged examination irregularities and demand the Union education minister's resignation.
'The made-up stories really angered me. Forget angering me, it actually made me feel, okay, if they want to play this game, let me play along.'
Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke has demanded Union Home Minister Amit Shah's resignation, alleging that orders to use force against students during the July 20 "Sansad Chalo" march over the NEET exam paper leak must have come from Shah himself. Dipke also criticised the appointment of Pralhad Joshi as the new Education Minister and dismissed Yoga guru Ramdev's comments on Gen Z.
Opposition legislators in Mumbai protested against the Maharashtra government, accusing it of failing to protect citizens amidst heavy monsoon rains and crumbling infrastructure. They highlighted issues like open manholes and traffic paralysis. Separately, NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule demanded a statement from the Chief Minister regarding the closure of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway's Missing Link due to heavy rainfall and landslides, questioning its assessment and cost.
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a plea by senior advocate Kapil Sibal challenging the interpretation of the Tenth Schedule's 'deemed merger' provision, which allows MLAs and MPs to avoid disqualification under the anti-defection law, citing its 'huge repercussions on our polity'.
The Chhattisgarh High Court has convicted Amit Jogi, son of former Chief Minister Ajit Jogi, in the 2003 murder case of NCP leader Ramavatar Jaggi, overturning a previous acquittal.
Here are who's who attending the wedding.
The sister of NCP leader Rupali Chakankar is being questioned in connection with the alleged use of her bank account by arrested self-styled godman Ashok Kharat, who is accused of financial irregularities and land grabbing.
The sister of NCP leader Rupali Chakankar was questioned by police regarding her alleged connection to the financial dealings of arrested self-styled godman Ashok Kharat.
Senior NCP (SP) leader Jayant Patil has ruled out the possibility of a merger between the two factions of the Nationalist Congress Party, stating that talks ceased following the death of Ajit Pawar.
The Indian government and opposition are preparing for a contentious Monsoon Session of Parliament, with key issues including the Constitution Amendment Bill on delimitation and women's reservation, the alleged NEET paper leak, and a row over Ram temple donations set to spark heated debates.
Opposition leaders across party lines have condemned the forced removal of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk from the Jantar Mantar protest site in Delhi, accusing the BJP-led central government of undermining democratic freedoms, curbing dissent, and choosing force over dialogue.
