News for 'maharashtra'

BJP vs Thackeray cousins: All eyes on BMC showdown

BJP vs Thackeray cousins: All eyes on BMC showdown

Rediff.com14 Jan 2026

Maharashtra heads to the polls for 29 municipal corporations, with Mumbai's BMC election taking center stage as the BJP-led Mahayuti faces off against the Thackeray front. Key issues include promises for women, pollution control, and the city's financial health.

'Dhurandhar Devendra' posters appear in Mumbai after BMC results

'Dhurandhar Devendra' posters appear in Mumbai after BMC results

Rediff.com17 Jan 2026

Large hoardings praising Fadnavis' leadership appeared across the city, reflecting a celebratory mood within the BJP camp following its strong performance in the country's richest civic body.

'We Are A Secular Party': I.S.L.A.M. Party Leader

'We Are A Secular Party': I.S.L.A.M. Party Leader

Rediff.com23 Jan 2026

'Of course, we are secular. Three of our Hindu brothers have won seats from our party. Tell me where AIMIM has managed that.'

Ladki Bahin dole amid civic polls sparks row in Maha; Oppn protests

Ladki Bahin dole amid civic polls sparks row in Maha; Oppn protests

Rediff.com12 Jan 2026

Maharashtra minister's announcement regarding the disbursement of financial aid under the Ladki Bahin Yojana before Makar Sankranti has triggered a controversy, with the Opposition alleging a violation of the Model Code of Conduct ahead of municipal elections. The State Election Commission has sought a report on the matter.

Fragmented opposition hands BJP its first shot at BMC

Fragmented opposition hands BJP its first shot at BMC

Rediff.com16 Jan 2026

Multi-cornered contests, deep divisions within the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi, reflected in the Congress and Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray fighting separately and lack of a robust plan among its rivals helped the Bharatiya Janata Party in Mumbai polls as it looks poised to rule India's richest civic body for the first time.

Maharashtra To Remove Leopards From Protected List

Maharashtra To Remove Leopards From Protected List

Rediff.com19 Nov 2025

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed officials to declare leopard attacks on humans as a "state disaster" and proposed reclassification of leopards under the Wild Life (Protection) Act to better manage man-eating animals. The decision follows a rise in leopard attacks in the state, particularly in the Pune district.

BMC election: Colaba ward sees dismal 20.88% voter turnout

BMC election: Colaba ward sees dismal 20.88% voter turnout

Rediff.com16 Jan 2026

The civic ward was unable to manage even half of Mumbai's overall voter turnout of 52.94 per cent, which means only 9,614 residents of the total 46,036 exercised their franchise.

'Uddhav Has Emerged As Mumbai's Tiger'

'Uddhav Has Emerged As Mumbai's Tiger'

Rediff.com21 Jan 2026

'Marathi-speaking people of Mumbai have now emerged as a consolidated vote bank standing firmly behind the Thackerays.'

Southern states hold the steering wheel in India's ePV transition

Southern states hold the steering wheel in India's ePV transition

Rediff.com20 Jan 2026

India's electric passenger vehicle (ePV) market has expanded sharply over the past five years, with registrations rising from just 3,252 units in 2020 to about 170,000 in 2025. Throughout this scale-up, southern states have remained the bedrock of adoption, consistently contributing around one-third of national electric vehicle (EV) registrations - emphasising the region's role as the structural backbone of India's EV transition.

Childhood Friends Clash: Arjun Gets Shaw Out

Childhood Friends Clash: Arjun Gets Shaw Out

Rediff.com9 Jan 2026

Shaw's brief stay ended at 1 off 5 balls, caught by Deepraj Gaonkar off Arjun's bowling.

Set up gaushalas to keep highways free of stray animals, SC tells NHAI

Set up gaushalas to keep highways free of stray animals, SC tells NHAI

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

The Supreme Court has suggested that the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) consider establishing gaushalas (cowsheds) under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to care for stray animals entering highways. The court also expressed dissatisfaction with several states' efforts to manage stray dog populations and suggested developing an app to report stray animal sightings.

Gaikwad's Record-Breaking Reply To Selectors

Gaikwad's Record-Breaking Reply To Selectors

Rediff.com9 Jan 2026

Eager to prove a point after his surprising omission from India's ODI squad for the New Zealand series, Maharashtra's run-machine Ruturaj Gaikwad continued his scorching form in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Raj Thackeray pens moving tribute for uncle in Saamana

Raj Thackeray pens moving tribute for uncle in Saamana

Rediff.com23 Jan 2026

MNS chief Raj Thackeray pens tribute to his uncle, Bal Thackeray, recalling their bond and the pain of leaving the family home after quitting Shiv Sena.

Ajit 'dada' Pawar: Always the bridesmaid, never the bride

Ajit 'dada' Pawar: Always the bridesmaid, never the bride

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

Ajit Pawar, who was the finance and planning minister, would have tabled his budget for 2026-27 next month when the state legislature's budget session begins in Mumbai on February 23.

Dr Sangram Patil, YouTuber facing action over SM posts, moves HC

Dr Sangram Patil, YouTuber facing action over SM posts, moves HC

Rediff.com22 Jan 2026

The Bombay High Court has issued a notice to the Mumbai police regarding a plea filed by UK-based doctor and YouTuber Sangram Patil, who is seeking to quash a case against him related to an alleged objectionable social media post against BJP leaders.

BJP has turned Shinde's Shiv Sena into doormat: Uddhav

BJP has turned Shinde's Shiv Sena into doormat: Uddhav

Rediff.com8 Jan 2026

Uddhav Thackeray asserts that his alliance with MNS chief Raj Thackeray is permanent, dismissing speculation about their unity ahead of civic elections.

Ajit Pawar's 'family reunion' gambit fails

Ajit Pawar's 'family reunion' gambit fails

Rediff.com17 Jan 2026

Despite forging an alliance with the faction led by his uncle, Nationalist Congress Party chief and Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Friday failed to protect the party's traditional bastions of Pune and neighbouring Pimpri-Chinchwad, as the Bharatiya Janata Party decimated both the NCPs in the municipal corporation elections.

Raj Thackeray's corporators support Sena-BJP in KDMC

Raj Thackeray's corporators support Sena-BJP in KDMC

Rediff.com21 Jan 2026

Amid the race for mayoral posts across civic bodies in Maharashtra, a new political equation emerged in the Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation on Wednesday with five corporators of Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena offering support to Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena, which is in alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Suryakumar, Samson, Rinku enjoy Pench safari

Suryakumar, Samson, Rinku enjoy Pench safari

Rediff.com19 Jan 2026

India's T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav along with four other members of the team went on a jungle safari in the Pench Tiger Reserve on Monday ahead of the opening match of the five-game series with New Zealand beginning at Nagpur on January 21.

Nagpur riots key accused's wife wins civic polls on AIMIM ticket

Nagpur riots key accused's wife wins civic polls on AIMIM ticket

Rediff.com17 Jan 2026

Alisha Khan, wife of a key accused in the 2023 Nagpur riots case, has won civic polls on an AIMIM ticket. Her husband, Fahim Khan, is accused of involvement in violence following rumors related to religious inscriptions and protests.

Maha votes in civic body polls, all eyes on Mumbai

Maha votes in civic body polls, all eyes on Mumbai

Rediff.com15 Jan 2026

Polling for 2,869 seats spread across 893 wards in these municipal corporations began amid tight security at 7.30 am and will conclude at 5.30 pm. A total of 3.48 crore voters are eligible to decide the fate of 15,931 candidates.

Gill, Jadeja, Siraj headline Ranji Trophy restart

Gill, Jadeja, Siraj headline Ranji Trophy restart

Rediff.com21 Jan 2026

All eyes will be on Shubman Gill when Ranji Trophy resumes on Thursday after India's Test and ODI captain decided against taking a break and opting to turn up for Punjab against Saurashtra in a key Group B clash in Rajkot.

BMC results: Congress reduced to marginal force

BMC results: Congress reduced to marginal force

Rediff.com16 Jan 2026

The Congress party experienced a significant decline in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, winning a mere 15 seats out of 227. Analysts attribute the poor performance to strategic missteps, infighting, and a failure to connect with voters amidst linguistic and religious polarization.

Cong handed over Assam's land to infiltrators for votes: Modi

Cong handed over Assam's land to infiltrators for votes: Modi

Rediff.com18 Jan 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday accused the Congress of handing over Assam's land to infiltrators for votes during its rule in the northeastern state.

Ranji Trophy: Gill misfires as Saurashtra hammer Punjab

Ranji Trophy: Gill misfires as Saurashtra hammer Punjab

Rediff.com23 Jan 2026

Star batter Shubman Gill endured his second successive unproductive outing as Punjab faltered against Saurashtra spinners, going down by 194 runs on the second day of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group B match, in Rajkot, on Friday.

EC bars Maha govt from releasing early payment under 'Ladki Bahin'

EC bars Maha govt from releasing early payment under 'Ladki Bahin'

Rediff.com13 Jan 2026

The State Election Commission (SEC) has barred the Maharashtra government from releasing the January instalment of the 'Ladki Bahin' scheme in advance, citing the enforcement of the model code of conduct for municipal elections. The decision follows complaints about the timing of the release, coinciding with upcoming municipal elections.

Aditya Thackeray's Message for Mumbaikars

Aditya Thackeray's Message for Mumbaikars

Rediff.com10 Jan 2026

Ahead of the Mumbai municipal election on January 15, Shiv Sena-UBT leader Aditya Uddhav Thackeray launched a blistering attack on his political rivals in a hard-hitting interview with Rediff.

How Gadchiroli Broke The Maoist Backbone

How Gadchiroli Broke The Maoist Backbone

Rediff.com12 Jan 2026

'The watershed moment was June 22, 2024, when the divisional in-charge of Gadchiroli, Giridhar Tumreti, who was their senior-most commander, along with his wife, came forward to surrender before the then deputy chief minister and home minister Devendra Fadnavis.'

Cheers! Kingfisher rolls out Smooth for beer aficionados

Cheers! Kingfisher rolls out Smooth for beer aficionados

Rediff.com16 Jan 2026

The new beer's rollout has begun in Rajasthan. Under a phased expansion strategy, Karnataka is expected to follow, with more states to be added based on early response.

Owaisi says India will have hijab-clad PM; BJP cites Iran

Owaisi says India will have hijab-clad PM; BJP cites Iran

Rediff.com10 Jan 2026

Owaisi argued that such inclusivity is not offered in Pakistan's constitution, which restricts people of other religions from holding top posts.

The Tendulkars cast vote in BMC polls

The Tendulkars cast vote in BMC polls

Rediff.com15 Jan 2026

Polling is being held on Thursday across 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra.

Vijay Hazare: Hardik goes ballistic; Sarfaraz trumps Abhishek

Vijay Hazare: Hardik goes ballistic; Sarfaraz trumps Abhishek

Rediff.com8 Jan 2026

Hardik Pandya's dazzling performance with both bat and ball powered Baroda to an emphatic 149-run victory against Chandigarh.

Exit polls predict BJP-Shiv Sena victory in Mumbai civic polls

Exit polls predict BJP-Shiv Sena victory in Mumbai civic polls

Rediff.com16 Jan 2026

Exit polls predict a clear victory for the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, while forecasting a defeat for the Shiv Sena (UBT)-Maharashtra Navnirman Sena alliance. Polls also predict results for Pune and Thane.

'Keeping Modi-Shah Away From Mumbai Was Deliberate'

'Keeping Modi-Shah Away From Mumbai Was Deliberate'

Rediff.com19 Jan 2026

'It would have polarised the Marathi-non Marathi divide further. 'Fadnavis had a very clear strategy: Let all Marathi people campaign for us (the BJP), and whatever results we get will be delivered by Marathi people only.'

Day after civic poll drubbing, Ajit meets uncle Sharad Pawar

Day after civic poll drubbing, Ajit meets uncle Sharad Pawar

Rediff.com17 Jan 2026

The BJP stunned the Pawars in the Pune polls, clinching 119 seats. The NCP came a distant second with 27 seats, while its ally, NCP (SP) led by Sharad Pawar, won three. The Congress managed 15 seats.

Kites, Til, Turmeric And Dancing: Makar Sankranti Across India

Kites, Til, Turmeric And Dancing: Makar Sankranti Across India

Rediff.com14 Jan 2026

Makar Sankranti is one of the year's first festivals of India. The country joyfully kicks off the year with a tapestry of colours and traditions: Gujarat's soaring kites. Punjab's blazing bonfires. Tamil Nadu's bubbling Pongal pot....

Widow of slain Maharashtra minister seeks SIT probe

Widow of slain Maharashtra minister seeks SIT probe

Rediff.com7 Nov 2025

The widow of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique, who was murdered last year, has petitioned the Bombay High Court for a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the case, alleging police have failed to apprehend the real culprits.

Gauri Lankesh murder accused contesting Maha civic polls

Gauri Lankesh murder accused contesting Maha civic polls

Rediff.com8 Jan 2026

Shrikant Pangarkar is in the fray from ward 13. His opponents are candidates from the BJP and several other parties, though the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena has not fielded a contestant.

Next Mumbai mayor will be 'Hindu and Marathi': Fadnavis

Next Mumbai mayor will be 'Hindu and Marathi': Fadnavis

Rediff.com2 Jan 2026

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the next Mayor of Mumbai will be from the ruling alliance and will be 'both Hindu and Marathi,' as political campaigning heats up for the city's top civic post.

Ranji Trophy: Gill falls for 2-ball duck, Jadeja disappoints too

Ranji Trophy: Gill falls for 2-ball duck, Jadeja disappoints too

Rediff.com22 Jan 2026

Shubman Gill's return to Ranji Trophy ended in a two-ball duck as Saurashtra and Punjab batters struggled on a rank turner during the opening day of the Ranji Trophy Elite Group B match in Rajkot