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.
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.
Maharashtra's opposition leaders acknowledged a sense of discomfort within the ruling party, fueling speculation about the state's political stability.
Uddhav and Raj Thackeray, cousins and leaders of rival political parties, came together at Bal Thackeray's memorial on his 13th death anniversary, fueling speculation of a possible alliance ahead of local body polls.
The chief minister, who is currently not a member of either of the Houses of the state Legislature, submitted his nomination papers to the election officer in Mumbai.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has summoned Rajendra Shinde, husband of former Thane mayor Meenaxi Shinde, for questioning in connection with the murder of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar. Purnekar's son accused the couple of orchestrating the killing. Police have already arrested several alleged assailants in the case.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has accused the Centre of orchestrating a political conspiracy through the CBI's FIR in the Disha Salian death case. Raut claims the probe is designed to tarnish the Thackeray family's reputation and target Aaditya Thackeray, linking it to broader political manoeuvres and an ongoing Supreme Court case.
Aaditya Thackeray has vehemently condemned six rebel MPs, asserting that their "greed" led them to betray the voters' mandate for the INDIA bloc.
The Shiv Sena chief will be the first from the Thackeray family to be sworn in as the chief minister.
Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray, who underwent a successful angioplasty at Lilavati hospital in Mumbai on Friday, was discharged on Monday.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating the murder of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar has secured transit remand for two key suspects, Santosh Kanojia and Amit Singh, from Prayagraj and brought them to Thane. They have been formally arrested and will be produced in a local court on Monday. Police have arrested five individuals in total, but the exact motive behind the crime remains unknown.
The Shiv Sena-Uddhav Bal Thackeray and Prakash Ambedkar's Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi on Monday announced an alliance, coinciding with the birth anniversary of Shiv Sena founder late Bal Thackeray.
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.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has dismissed rumours of his shift to national politics, asserting his commitment to the state. He also commented on the NEET paper leak issue, supporting the Union government's actions and criticising Uddhav Thackeray's remarks.
In the second part of our three-part series, we bring you aerial photographs taken by Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray of Mumbai.
Sanjay Raut defended the strength of Shiv Sena-UBT, backing Aaditya Thackeray as a capable next-generation leader while claiming the party cadre remains loyal to Uddhav Thackeray despite recent MP defections driven by money and central agency pressure.
Political leaders and dignitaries, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, joined devotees across the country in celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi with traditional fervour, offering prayers and seeking blessings.
Uddhav Thakre joins the Congress -- This statement by expelled Shiv Sainik and Maharashtra Minister for Revenue Narayan Rane in Chimur area of Chandrapur district, Maharashtra on Tuesday, sent those part of the gathering into a tizzy.
Flanked by his party MP Sanjay Raut, Uddhav received his cousin at the entrance of the Matoshree bungalow, one of the most recognised landmarks in Mumbai.
Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray was on Wednesday formally elected as the president of the party during a national executive meeting held in central Mumbai.
A large gathering of youth, primarily college students, convened at Shivaji Park in Mumbai to celebrate the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. This celebration followed a 36-day agitation by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protesting exam irregularities and the NEET paper leak, which culminated in Pradhan's resignation. Political leaders Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray are set to address the crowd, acknowledging the youth's role in bringing about change.
The Eknath Shinde faction on Wednesday defended the Election Commission's decision to recognise it as the real Shiv Sena and allot it the bow-and-arrow symbol in the Supreme Court. Senior advocate N K Kaul argued that no subsequent Shiv Sena constitution was submitted to the EC after 2011 and emphasised the importance of inner-party democracy. The hearing, which also touched upon the timing of the EC's decision and the pendency of disqualification petitions, remained inconclusive and will continue on Thursday.
The Thane Police Special Investigation Team (SIT) is seeking transit remand for two key suspects, Santosh Kanojia and Amit Singh, apprehended in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, in connection with the murder of Shiv Sena (UBT) functionary Pradeep Purnekar. These arrests bring the total number of accused to five. Kanojia and another accused, Subhash Shinde, are believed to have orchestrated the murder, which occurred on September 29.
The Shiv Sena-UBT is facing a significant internal crisis, with reports suggesting that 'six to seven' of its nine Lok Sabha MPs are preparing to form a separate group. MP Arvind Sawant has formally requested Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla not to recognise any such breakaway faction, emphasising the primacy of the political party over its legislative wing.
The Uddhav Thackeray faction has told the Supreme Court that the Election Commission's decision to recognise the Eknath Shinde-led unit as the "real Shiv Sena" and grant it the 'bow-and-arrow' symbol was unlawful. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal argued that a split in a legislature party cannot, by itself, amount to a split in the political party, challenging the very basis of the poll panel's jurisdiction and its disregard for the party's 2018 constitution.
'While it seems that the sole option left for the Shiv Sena chief is to sit in the Opposition and wait and watch, there are two other choices before him to show his party rank and file if he is a quitter or a fighter.'
"As part of NDA, we look forward to joining forces with you in Maharashtra to help secure victory in upcoming Lok Sabha elections & beyond. @nitishkumar," Kishor tweeted while tagging JD-U president Nitish Kumar.
The Supreme Court has questioned the amended constitution of the Shiv Sena, observing that it appeared to have made the party 'virtually a one-person structure' and raising concerns about democratic functioning within political parties.
Speculation is rife about a potential rebellion among MPs of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), with ruling Sena leader Pratap Sarnaik hinting at welcoming dissidents. Despite a Sena (UBT) MP meeting a rival minister and several skipping a party meeting, senior leaders Sanjay Raut and Anil Desai have dismissed the defection rumours, asserting the unity of their parliamentarians.
Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray leader Aaditya Thackeray on Thursday dismissed the Bombay High Court's directive to the Central Bureau of Investigation to register an FIR in the Disha Salian death case, accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of running a smear campaign against him for the last six years.
The Supreme Court is deliberating whether a split in the Shiv Sena could originate in the legislature party and then extend to the broader organisation and primary membership, as it hears pleas from the Uddhav Thackeray faction challenging the Election Commission's recognition of the Eknath Shinde-led faction.
Thane Police have arrested two more individuals, Santosh Kanojia and Amit Singh, from Uttar Pradesh in connection with the September 29 murder of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar, bringing the total arrests to five. Kanojia and Subhash Shinde are believed to have orchestrated the plot, with Singh identified as the helmet-wearing assailant.
The CBI has registered an FIR in the Disha Salian death case, following a Bombay High Court order that criticised Mumbai Police for its six-year delay and "glaring discrepancies" in the investigation. Salian, former manager of Sushant Singh Rajput, died in June 2020, a week before Rajput's own death, which led to speculation about a connection. The High Court had expressed concerns over the Mumbai Police's handling of the case, which was initially treated as an accidental death.
Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday underwent an angioplasty procedure at Lilavati Hospital in suburban Bandra.
A Thane court has extended the police custody of Subhash Shinde, the first arrested accused in the murder of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar, and sent two recently apprehended suspects from Uttar Pradesh, Santosh Kanojia and Amit Singh, to seven-day police remand. The Special Investigation Team is probing the funding for the suspects' stay in UP and the broader conspiracy behind the "calculated and meticulously planned" September 29 murder.
'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.'
Beleaguered Shiv Sena leader Manohar Joshi, who was booed off the dais by his party's supporters at a Dussehra rally in October, on Sunday called on party chief Uddhav Thackeray at his residence.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde visited MNS president Raj Thackeray's residence during the Ganesh festival, following a similar visit by Uddhav Thackeray. Shinde subtly criticized Uddhav and emphasized the non-political nature of his visit.
MNS chief Raj Thackeray denies making remarks about a potential alliance with Shiv Sena (UBT), accusing the media of misquoting him. He clarifies his statements regarding a joint rally with Uddhav Thackeray.
Gangster Ashwin Naik today met Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray at the latter's residence in suburban Bandra.
