Union Minister Ramdas Athawale extended an invitation to Abhijeet Dipke to join his Republican Party of India-Athawale.
The parents of Sahil Wakode, an IIT Bombay student who died by suicide, are continuing their hunger strike for a second day, demanding the arrest of those they hold responsible. They allege caste discrimination and seek justice for their son, with Union Minister Ramdas Athawale assuring support.
Veteran actor Nana Patekar was laid to rest at his farmhouse in Donje village, Pune, late on Thursday night. Thousands, including prominent personalities and state officials, attended the funeral, which was performed with full state honours. Patekar, 75, passed away in Goa earlier on Thursday due to a suspected heart attack.
The parents of IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode, who died by suicide, spent eight hours at the Mumbai Crime Branch office, while Union Minister Ramdas Athawale visited IIT Bombay, seeking a thorough investigation into the death and alleging potential caste discrimination.
Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange has alleged a conspiracy to silence him, demanding a probe into a viral audio clip that claims Rs 500 crore was paid to him via Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde. Ruling Shiv Sena leaders have vehemently denied these allegations, calling them a 'conspiracy to defame' Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and the party, and have called for a forensic investigation into the audio clip, suggesting the speakers are from the BJP.
Union Minister Ramdas Athawale stated that opposing reservation is unconstitutional and that the policy would be given up if casteism is eliminated. He highlighted the historical context of reservations for SC/ST and OBCs, and the Modi government's EWS quota. Athawale also criticised the opposition, praised government achievements, and discussed various welfare schemes and infrastructure projects in Chhattisgarh.
Union Minister Ramdas Athawale has indicated a potential Union cabinet reshuffle soon and extended an invitation to eight NCP (SP) MPs to join the NDA, even if Sharad Pawar declines. He urged the opposition faction to set aside ideological differences for development. However, NCP (SP) spokesperson Clyde Crasto dismissed Athawale's offer, calling him a "floater." Athawale also addressed the issue of reservation, stating it's a constitutional right.
More than a dozen Shiv Sena functionaries, including district and city unit chiefs and an MLA's son, have been booked for allegedly assaulting, abusing, and threatening hospital staff in Palghar. The incident occurred after 'govindas' injured during Dahi Handi celebrations were brought for treatment, and a dispute arose over medical bills. The NCP (SP) has condemned the incident, calling it an attack on the medical system and the rule of law, and demanded strict action.
Rain and road trips go hand in hand in Maharashtra. For countless travellers, the season isn't complete without a plate of steaming-hot Kanda Bhaji on a jaunt to Karjat at Thakare Hotel.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has announced the suspension of Shiv Sena Palghar city president Rahul Gharat following an alleged assault on hospital staff, including a doctor, by party functionaries. The incident occurred at Relief Hospital in Palghar over a dispute concerning medical bills for Dahi Handi participants. Shinde condemned the violence, stating that such behaviour would not be tolerated and that grievances should be addressed through legal channels.
Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik announced that autorickshaw and taxi drivers will be given an opportunity to learn Marathi before any action is taken against them for non-compliance with the language requirement. This move softens the state's earlier stance, which had evoked mixed reactions and concerns about livelihoods.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called upon citizens to celebrate Independence Day with honour and pride, urging them to take a pledge for a developed India. This appeal comes amidst parliamentary sessions marked by protests from both ruling and opposition alliances.
The Rajya Sabha has passed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, making insult to the national song 'Vande Mataram' a criminal offence. The bill, which also covers other national symbols, was passed amidst protests from opposition parties regarding the NEET paper leak. Union Minister Nityanand Rai criticised the opposition's stance, emphasising the song's historical significance and its role in national unity.
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is set to convene in Ayodhya to discuss the preliminary report of the SIT investigating the Ram Temple donation theft. The agenda includes reviewing the resignations of general secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra, considering the appointment of a CEO, and approving financial statements. The meeting comes amidst ongoing police and SIT investigations, with eight arrests made in connection with the theft.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday expressed concern over the repeated disruptions of parliamentary proceedings, stating that due to the turmoil in the House, the country has been unable to listen to the talented MPs elected in recent times.
A group of prominent Indian citizens, including Arundhati Roy and Naseeruddin Shah, have appealed to protesters on an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar to end their fast due to health concerns, while fully supporting their demand for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation over alleged NEET irregularities.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has denied reports of a secret meeting with Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray, dismissing the claims as false news.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared jhalmuri with NDA leaders at the Bharat Mandapam conclave, bringing the popular Bengali snack back into the political spotlight. This act revived memories of his West Bengal election campaign where a jhalmuri break became a political talking point and a subtle jab at the Trinamool Congress.
In an apparent reference to the buzz of six rebel Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray MPs switching sides, Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Friday said this is just a trailer and the movie is yet to come, indicating more defections could be in offing in the rival faction.
Forest officials in Odisha's Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) have arrested three individuals and seized the skin of a rare melanistic tiger. This marks the third reported case of black tiger poaching in Similipal, the only place in the world where these tigers are found in the wild.
Police in Maharashtra's Beed district recovered a stolen tractor within two days and arrested the thief, Ramdas Asaram Shriram, after the farmer reported the theft from his property.
Dhirendra Shastri, head of Bageshwar Dham, has apologised for his remarks on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj after facing backlash in Maharashtra. He claimed his comments were twisted on social media and clarified his stance on dedicating children to the RSS.
Four people were killed and five others seriously injured in a collision between a car and a motorcycle in the Katni district of Madhya Pradesh. The accident occurred on the Jagatpur-Umaria road, resulting in a traffic jam and chaos.
A 35-year-old man was beaten to death in Madhya Pradesh's Barwani district following a dispute over a Rs 100 debt. Police have arrested three individuals in connection with the incident.
Union Minister Ramdas Athawale made a trip to the actor's home.
Mallikarjun Kharge and Narendra Modi addressed the Rajya Sabha, acknowledging the contributions of retiring MPs and emphasising the enduring nature of public service.
Four individuals have been arrested in Nashik, Maharashtra, for allegedly stealing a tablet from a senior citizen and attempting to extort 12 lakh by threatening to leak private photos and videos on social media.
Several ministers within Maharashtra's ruling Mahayuti alliance have voiced criticism regarding Sunetra Pawar's appointment as Deputy Chief Minister shortly after her husband, Ajit Pawar's, death, leading to disapproval from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
The ruling NDA alliance has secured a majority in the Rajya Sabha elections, winning key seats in Bihar, Odisha, and Haryana, while other candidates were elected unopposed across multiple states. The elections were marked by cross-voting allegations and political maneuvering.
Maharashtra minister Narhari Zirwal is facing calls for his dismissal after a video showing him with a transperson went viral. The minister claims the video is doctored and a blackmail attempt, while opposition parties demand his sacking for 'obscene and unethical behaviour'.
The Election Commission has announced the schedule for the Rajya Sabha elections 2024, setting the stage for polls to fill 37 seats across 10 states on March 16.
Maharashtra minister Narhari Zirwal is embroiled in controversy after a video featuring him and a transgender person went viral, prompting calls for his removal from office.
While the BJP and Shiv Sena have announced a seat-sharing pact, another constituent of Mahayuti, the NCP, headed by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, is contesting the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation polls separately.
'The jail staff told me Kasab was served only jail food and not biryani.' 'They told me that Kasab was beaten regularly after court proceedings.' 'And they filled Kasab's bottle with urine so that whenever he felt thirsty he used to drink urine.'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Rajya Sabha to honour 59 retiring members, emphasising their contributions to national life and urging them to continue their service.
Rajya Sabha elections in Bihar, Odisha, and Haryana were marred by allegations of cross-voting and 'horse trading', leading to suspensions and warnings from the Congress party.
The Rajya Sabha elections saw several candidates elected unopposed, including Sharad Pawar and Ramdas Athawale, while Bihar, Odisha, and Haryana prepare for contested elections.
The absence of NCP-SP leaders from a key Maha Vikas Aghadi meeting in Maharashtra has ignited concerns about opposition unity ahead of the crucial budget session and upcoming Rajya Sabha elections.
The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance in Maharashtra is facing internal conflict over the allocation of a winnable Rajya Sabha seat, with the Congress staking its claim against the Shiv Sena (UBT). Discussions are ongoing to reach a consensus before the nomination deadline.
The Congress party has announced its support for Nationalist Congress Party (SP) chief Sharad Pawar as the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) candidate for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections in Maharashtra.
