Ajit Pawar granted Rediff an interview in Baramati at 6 am. Why? 'To be a successful politician one needs to sleep less, and I never sleep for more than 4 hours' Ajit Pawar told Syed Firdaus Ashraf as Hitesh Harisinghani/Rediff captured the encounter on his camera.
Sunetra Pawar, wife of the late Ajit Pawar, has been unanimously elected as the leader of the NCP legislature party in Maharashtra and is set to become the state's first woman Deputy Chief Minister.
Sunetra Pawar, who is not a member of either house of the Maharashtra legislature, will be elected as leader of the legislature wing of the Nationalist Congress Party at a meeting in Mumbai on Saturday, after which she is likely to take oath as deputy CM.
Aaditya Thackeray has vehemently condemned six rebel MPs, asserting that their "greed" led them to betray the voters' mandate for the INDIA bloc.
Sarjis Alam, chief organiser of the NCP for the northern region, alleged that attacks occurred at more than 30 locations involving the homes and business establishments of party leaders and activists after the results were declared.
The Bombay High Court criticized the shifting allegiances of NCP members in the Ambernath Municipal Council, referring to it as "globe-trotting," while addressing orders related to alliances within the civic body.
A special CBI court in Mumbai acquitted former Maharashtra home minister Padamsinh Patil and seven others in the 2006 murder case of Congress leader Pawanraje Nimbalkar and his driver, citing the prosecution's failure to prove the conspiracy and finding the approver's testimony doubtful. The CBI has announced its intention to appeal the verdict in the Bombay High Court.
'Delimitation is scheduled for 2028. No matter how much the BJP currently depends on the Shinde Sena or NCP factions, it may not need them after delimitation.'
The Maharashtra legislature witnessed widespread protests as Opposition legislators accused the government of failing to prevent examination paper leaks, including the recent Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) and NEET. Senior leaders alleged links between those behind the leaks and the BJP, demanding a comprehensive investigation into the examination process and government accountability.
Shiv Sena and NCP form an alliance with an independent member to stake claim to rule the Ambernath Municipal Council, keeping the BJP away from power.
The Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday trounced the opposition including the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party and Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar by winning decisive mandates in Pune and neighbouring Pimpri Chinchwad in the civic polls, retaining power in both municipal corporations.
The Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) 2026 in Maharashtra has been postponed following a raid in Bhiwandi, Thane, where individuals were found with questions matching the actual exam paper. The Maharashtra State Council of Examination (MSCE) confirmed the breach and initiated a thorough investigation, registering a criminal case. The postponement aims to ensure transparency and allow law enforcement to probe the malpractice racket.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced the completion of "Operation Tiger" as six Lok Sabha members from the Shiv Sena (UBT) officially defected to the ruling Shiv Sena. This move further formalises a split in the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction, strengthening Shinde's party and marking a significant political development in Maharashtra.
Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Dina Patil allegedly abused and threatened journalists, prompting Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to ask him to express regret. The incident occurred after journalists questioned Patil about a letter from Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut and his daughter's political stance, leading to a political controversy.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi received birthday wishes from across the political spectrum as he turned 56, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, and various INDIA bloc leaders extending their greetings and praising his dedication to democratic values and the welfare of the marginalised.
Around 80 lakh women in Maharashtra have been disqualified from the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme after failing to meet the e-KYC deadline, leading to accusations from opposition parties that the state government is reducing beneficiaries due to financial constraints.
A close associate of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar claims that Pawar was actively pursuing a merger of the two Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) factions before his death. The associate, Kiran Gujar, stated that Pawar had indicated the merger was imminent just days before a fatal plane crash.
BJP candidate Arun Lakhani, contesting the Maharashtra legislative council elections, addresses the unique situation of his son's marriage to Supriya Sule's daughter, emphasising the separation of politics and family ties.
Amidst the INDIA bloc conclave in Delhi, a significant number of Trinamool Congress MPs convened a closed-door meeting, signalling a deepening internal rebellion and discontent within the party's parliamentary ranks following recent electoral setbacks.
Leaders from several opposition parties within the INDIA bloc convened in New Delhi, stressing the critical need for unity to safeguard democratic values and address pressing issues like people's livelihoods, despite recent internal differences and electoral setbacks.
Senior NCP (SP) leader Jayant Patil met with Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray to discuss a potential alliance for the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. The meeting follows an alliance between Uddhav Thackeray and MNS chief Raj Thackeray. Discussions are ongoing, with the NCP (SP) advocating for a united Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) approach.
Kakade said they will hold talks with the Congress and the Shiv Sena-UBT as well.
Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) president Sharad Pawar has been admitted to a private hospital in Mumbai for a health check-up.
A month after losing power in West Bengal and facing a rebellion by 58 MLAs, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) confronts an unprecedented challenge to Mamata Banerjee's absolute authority, raising questions about the party's survival and future.
At least 12 people have died in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad after consuming suspected spurious liquor. Police have arrested eight individuals, including a key bootlegger, and investigations are ongoing to uncover the full extent of the illegal operation.
NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar has acknowledged that despite political differences with Narendra Modi, the prime minister is working to uphold India's prestige internationally. Pawar emphasised the importance of collective effort for national interest and cited examples of past leaders who prioritised the country's reputation.
The Supreme Court has stayed the Chhattisgarh High Court verdict that sentenced Amit Jogi to life imprisonment in the 2003 murder of NCP leader Ramavatar Jaggi.
A 26-year-old autorickshaw driver was shot and critically injured in Pune's Balaji Nagar area, reigniting gang warfare in the city. Police suspect the involvement of a rival gang and have launched an investigation.
The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance in Maharashtra is showing signs of strain as both Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress have announced their intention to field candidates for the upcoming legislative council elections.
Former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh demands the death penalty for the accused in the sexual assault and murder of a four-year-old girl in Pune district. He also criticises the state and central governments for delays in implementing the Shakti Act to curb sexual crimes.
NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar defends the Congress party's right to contest the Baramati assembly bypoll, criticising his grandnephew Parth Pawar's remarks against the Congress candidate. Pawar cites the importance of electoral contest and questions Parth's political maturity.
NCP (SP) working president Supriya Sule reported that her car was hit by another vehicle on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway due to reckless driving. Sule and her companions are safe, and she has urged motorists to prioritise road safety.
Former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh calls for the immediate implementation of the Shakti Act following the rape and murder of two minors in Pune district, criticising the government's failure to ensure the safety of women and children.
At least 14 people have died in Pune after consuming suspected spurious liquor. Police have arrested eight individuals, including a key bootlegger, and the investigation has been transferred to the CID. The incident has sparked outrage and raised concerns about the illegal liquor trade.
At least 13 people have died in Pune after consuming suspected spurious liquor, leading to multiple arrests and a high-level investigation.
rediffGURU T S Khurana answers readers' personal income tax queries
The Chhattisgarh High Court has overturned the acquittal of Amit Jogi, son of former Chief Minister Ajit Jogi, and sentenced him to life imprisonment for the 2003 murder of NCP leader Ramavatar Jaggi.
The Chhattisgarh High Court has sentenced Amit Jogi, son of former chief minister Ajit Jogi, to life imprisonment for the 2003 murder of NCP leader Ramavatar Jaggi, overturning a previous acquittal.
Activist Anjali Damania alleges phone calls between Maharashtra politicians and a rape-accused godman, sparking controversy and raising questions about their connections.
Walmik Karad, the main accused in the Santosh Deshmukh murder case, was hospitalised after complaining of abdominal pain and fever while in jail.
