Thousands of ordinary Shiv Sainiks poured in from different parts of the Mumbai and state on Sunday for a last glimpse of their ultimate leader -- but many of them were left disappointed at the end of it all. Savera R Someshwar reports from Shivaji Park, Dadar.
Mumbai has not seen scenes like what it witnessed on Sunday when Balasaheb Thackeray's cortege made its way to Shivaji Park. Will Uddhav Thackeray, Balasaheb's political heir, use this huge surge of support to revive his party's electoral fortunes, wonders Abhishek Mande.
The Dronacharya awardee was given a guard of honour by young cricketers on way to the crematorium.
Raj Thackeray announced unconditional support to the ruling 'Mahayuti' alliance of the BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP in the state and backed Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The high court, which refused to prepone the date of hearing of the petition, said an endeavour shall be made to hear and dispose of the petition on April 10.
For years Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray has enthralled his supporters with his fiery speeches from Shivaji Park at Dadar, central Mumbai. On Sunday, thousands of mourners will pay their last respect to him at the same ground.
This would give BJP the chance to explore Constitutional options for government formation if there is no clear-cut mandate, explains Sheela Bhatt.
'I love to meet people.' 'I love that personal connect when they express their genuine, heartfelt feelings.'
The city police has registered a case against Shiv Sena workers for flouting Noise Pollution Control Rules during the party's Dusshera rally, held at Shivaji Park in Mumbai. "A case under Bombay Police Act has been registered against the organisers of the rally for exceeding the 50 decibel noise level," Assistant Commissioner of Police Madhukar Sankhe told PTI.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday launched a blistering attack on Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray leader Uddhav Thackeray saying he buried the Hindutva ideology of Bal Thackeray for power and joined hands with Congress and socialist parties.
With the Bombay high court declaring the Shivaji Park ground as silence zone, the city police has refused permission to Shiv Sena to hold Dussehra rally here, for the first time in over four decades.
Interestingly, among all the six former CMs, only Fadnavis, the first BJP leader to hold the top post in the state, completed full five-year term.
Mandira Bedi was inconsolable at her husband Raj Kaushal's funeral.
Jarange appealed to Shinde and his deputies to come together and resolve the issue of Maratha quota, an emotive issue which has been dominating the state's political discourse for the last few months.
'Dharmendra, Shashi Kapoor and I were inseparable while we struggled together.' 'When a disillusioned Dharmendra was packing his bags to return home, I prevailed upon him to give himself two months.' 'Five days later, he was signed for Shola Aur Shabnam and I signed Picnic.'
Violence erupted in central Nagpur on Monday with stones hurled at police amid rumours that the holy book of a community was burnt during an agitation by a right-wing body for the removal of Aurangzeb's tomb, officials said.
'I came here to witness the historic message this oath-taking ceremony has sent to the nation and Maharashtra.'
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray was arrested in Mumbai on Wednesday afternoon.
Central Mumbai on Friday witnessed traffic snarls due to security measures in view of the public meeting of Congress president Sonia Gandhi and a rally by Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar besides President Kalam's visit to the city.
Rathod, a veteran politician, calls attention to the subtle impact of Modi's charisma. "When Modi stands on the stage to address a public rally, it is enough to send the message of Hindutva. His speech will convey the importance of development. We can't ask for more. The public will come in hordes to see him in the interiors of Maharashtra".
For the first time in 23 years, India's campaign for the World Cup will not feature Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar.
Thackeray said it is only development that will matter for the common man.
Shyam Benegal, the shining beacon of the Indian cinema, was laid to rest on Tuesday around 3 pm with full state honours and a three-gun salute at Shivaji Park, central Mumbai.
Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi made a lightning visit to Mumbai on Sunday evening to pay homage to Lata Mangeshkar.
India lost the incomparable Lata Mangeshkar at 8.12 am on February 6.
The BJP and Shiv Sena, which along with Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party comprise the ruling Mahayuti, for some time now have been courting Thackeray, who founded the MNS in 2006.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday asserted his rebellion was not an act of "betrayal", but a "revolt" and asked Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray to kneel down at party founder Bal Thackeray's memorial and apologise for going against his ideals and aligning with the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).
Angry Shiv Sena workers on Saturday shouted slogans against senior party leader Manohar Joshi and forced him to leave the venue of Sena's annual Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park in Mumbai.
Sarfaraz was loudly telling the world that he is no longer a replacement, but a firm contender for a slot in the first eleven even when Shubman Gill's stiff neck is healed.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has called the violence in Nagpur a premeditated conspiracy and said the mob had targeted specific houses and establishments. The violence erupted on Monday after a protest against Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's tomb, resulting in several houses and vehicles being vandalised. At least 12 police personnel, including three deputy commissioners of police, were injured in the violence, which erupted in central Nagpur. Fadnavis, who also holds the Home portfolio, said those who attacked police personnel will not be spared.
Indian Army soldiers posted along the Line of Control in Akhnoor light candles on Dhanteras.
Speaking to media after meeting party functionaries at Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee office in Mumbai, the former diplomat also said his aim was to make Congress stronger before the 2024 polls.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi greets 93-year-old Lilabai Chitale during the party's Bharat Jodo Yatra at Patur in Akola. Lilabaiji went to jail in 1942 when she participated in the Quit India Movement of 1942.
Uganda produced wonders in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Africa Region Qualifier last November
Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray on Monday collected the ashes of his father and Sena supremo Bal Thackeray in two urns at Shivaji Park in Mumbai.
Lakhs gathered at Shivaji park to watch the funeral of Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray, mainly via giant television screens.
What India needs more than one simultaneous election is better governance both at the central and state level. Yes, we need reforms, but our priority should be to make elections less expensive, make it more democratic, do away with freebies which are actually bribes before elections, allow only those who are educated to contest, and bring in a bill to make it impossible for criminals to contest, advocates Ramesh Menon.
Ahead of his Dussehra rally, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday tweeted a couplet by famous Hindi poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan, which said that whosoever is his heir will be his son and not vice versa.
Raut's remarks came in the wake of Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray being recently targeted by the opposition for not moving out of his house during the pandemic. Talking to reporters in Mumbai, Raut said Thackeray has given directives to ensure that Fadnavis, who is leader of opposition in the state Assembly, gets the best treatment.
The constituency of Mumbai South, home to industrialists as well as high-ranking government officials, fared the worst with 47.7 percent voting.
