Journalism of Courage
Maharashtra
Maharashtra, one of India's most economically significant and politically influential states, presents a dynamic and complex political landscape. Situated in the western part of the country, it is not only the financial hub of India, home to Mumbai, but also a state with rich cultural and historical significance. The political profile of Maharashtra is characterized by a diverse electorate, a mix of urban and rural dynamics, and the presence of both national and regional political parties.
The two dominant regional parties in Maharashtra are the Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), alongside the prominence of national parties such as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress (INC). The Shiv Sena, founded by Bal Thackeray in 1966, initially focused on the interests of the Marathi-speaking population and espoused a Marathi identity. Over the years, it has evolved to embrace broader Hindu nationalist themes, aligning closely with the BJP, especially on ideological fronts.
The NCP, a splinter group from the INC, was founded by Sharad Pawar in 1999 and has played a crucial role in the state's politics, often being a kingmaker in government formations. The INC, with its long history of leadership in the state, continues to be a significant player, although its influence has waned in recent years due to the rise of the BJP and internal party challenges.
Maharashtra's politics have been marked by coalition governments, with alliances often shifting based on political convenience rather than ideological alignment. The state has witnessed significant political turmoil and realignments, notably the formation of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in 2019, an unexpected alliance between the Shiv Sena, NCP, and INC, showcasing the fluid nature of Maharashtra's political alliances.
The state faces numerous challenges, including urban-rural disparities, agricultural distress, and infrastructure development. Maharashtra's political parties and leaders are continually navigating these issues, striving to balance development needs with the aspirations of a diverse and demanding electorate.
The two dominant regional parties in Maharashtra are the Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), alongside the prominence of national parties such as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress (INC). The Shiv Sena, founded by Bal Thackeray in 1966, initially focused on the interests of the Marathi-speaking population and espoused a Marathi identity. Over the years, it has evolved to embrace broader Hindu nationalist themes, aligning closely with the BJP, especially on ideological fronts.
The NCP, a splinter group from the INC, was founded by Sharad Pawar in 1999 and has played a crucial role in the state's politics, often being a kingmaker in government formations. The INC, with its long history of leadership in the state, continues to be a significant player, although its influence has waned in recent years due to the rise of the BJP and internal party challenges.
Maharashtra's politics have been marked by coalition governments, with alliances often shifting based on political convenience rather than ideological alignment. The state has witnessed significant political turmoil and realignments, notably the formation of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in 2019, an unexpected alliance between the Shiv Sena, NCP, and INC, showcasing the fluid nature of Maharashtra's political alliances.
The state faces numerous challenges, including urban-rural disparities, agricultural distress, and infrastructure development. Maharashtra's political parties and leaders are continually navigating these issues, striving to balance development needs with the aspirations of a diverse and demanding electorate.
MAHARASHTRA NEWS
Maharashtra sets up panel on Pasmanda Muslims, signals BJP's outreach push
July 13, 2026 3:47 pm
The committee will examine why welfare schemes have failed to reach backward Muslim communities, but critics say the move also reflects the BJP's wider political outreach to Pasmanda Muslims.
38% dropped: Maharashtra removes 92 lakh Ladki Bahin beneficiaries after verification
July 13, 2026 9:58 am
Government records reviewed by The Indian Express show deletions far exceed what the state has publicly disclosed.
Newlywed, new father, sole breadwinner - the lives cut short in Moshi tragedy
July 13, 2026 12:46 pm
As rescue teams continue to comb through the debris at the garbage depot in Moshi, grieving families are left piecing together the final hours of seven men whose lives were cut short in the collapse.
Maharashtra CM buzz: Raut says Fadnavis could move to Delhi, Bawankule may fill in
July 11, 2026 9:51 pm
Minister Girish Mahajan and senior BJP MLA Sudhir Mungantiwar mocked Sanjay Raut’s remarks, saying they did not believe the BJP leadership shared its internal decisions with the Shiv Sena (UBT) MP.
Maharashtra adds 200 daily Mumbai-Pune bus trips amid train cancellations
July 11, 2026 1:56 pm
Central Railway on Thursday cancelled 30 train services connecting Pune and Mumbai till July 17 following heavy rainfall-triggered landslides at multiple locations on the Lonavala-Karjat section.
Maharashtra eases another farm loan waiver rider, farmers now eligible for Rs 2 lakh
July 11, 2026 10:22 am
Latest relaxation comes weeks after the Opposition questioned scheme's eligibility criteria
6th State Finance Commission proposes bigger tax share, new income sources for local bodies in Maharashtra
July 11, 2026 8:04 am
Panel recommends increasing local bodies' share in state taxes from 26.3% to 27.3%, a 4% share in motor vehicle tax for Zilla Parishads, a 10% cess on land conversion premiums and leasing of public assets for up to 30 years.
Baba Siddique murder: Court raps Mumbai police, asks to take steps to secure Anmol Bishnoi’s presence for trial
July 10, 2026 10:08 pm
Baba Siddique, a former minister and NCP leader, was shot dead outside the office of his son, former MLA Zeeshan Siddique, in Bandra East on October 12, 2024.
Supreme Court flags 'double standards' over bail, delayed trials in Maharashtra
July 11, 2026 7:15 am
The bench, dismissed the bail plea and said it will consider the state’s explanation as to why such delays were happening and sought a counter-affidavit from it.
CM Fadnavis orders special audits, SIT probe into Maharashtra health scheme irregularities
July 10, 2026 9:42 pm
CM Devendra Fadnavis also announced the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by Nashik Divisional Commissioner Praveen Gedam and comprising experts from various departments, to ensure a thorough investigation.
MAHARASHTRA PHOTOS
Handicrafts from Maharashtra that are worth discovering
May 23, 2026 12:16 pm
Explore Maharashtra’s hidden handicraft treasures here.
In Pictures: Sunetra Pawar sworn in as Maharashtra’s first woman Deputy Chief Minister
January 31, 2026 7:52 pm
Sunetra Pawar took oath as Maharashtra’s first woman Deputy Chief Minister during a ceremony at Lok Bhavan in Mumbai, days after the death of NCP leader Ajit Pawar
Six places you must visit in Maharashtra
November 12, 2025 2:29 pm
Planning a vacation in Maharashtra? Make sure you visit these beautiful places
Devendra Fadnavis takes oath as Maharashtra CM: From Mukesh Ambani to Salman Khan, here’s who all attended the ceremony
December 05, 2024 10:53 pm
The ceremony was held at Azad Maidan in Mumbai and marked a new chapter for the Mahayuti alliance.
On board Mumbai local trains: Lord Ganesha
September 02, 2024 2:34 pm
The Ganesh Visarjan for 2024 is scheduled for Tuesday, September 17th, before which people travel across Maharashtra to bring homes their Ganesha idols ahead of the 10-day festival.
Maharashtra SSC Results 2024: Websites to check Class MSBSHSE 10th result dates
May 26, 2024 1:29 pm
Maharashtra SSC Results 2024 Date: Once released, Maharashtra board Class 10 students can check results from the official website once declared, mahresult.nic.in.
'MLAs come, and can go anywhere': NCP chief Sharad Pawar's party meeting in pictures
July 07, 2023 7:42 am
NCP patriarch Sharad Pawar convened a working committee meeting of the party Wednesday which was attended by 16 MLAs and office-bearers of the party’s frontal cells.
From Ajit Pawar’s swearing-in, to Sharad Pawar’s show of strength: How the Maharashtra crisis unfolded in pictures
July 03, 2023 5:02 pm
On Monday, Ajit Pawar took oath as Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra. He will be sharing the post with BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis.
In Pics | After Thackeray’s warning ‘illegal’ structure demolished near Mahim coast
March 24, 2023 2:41 pm
Sena vs Sena: Uddhav, Shinde factions hold massive Dussehra rallies in Mumbai
October 06, 2022 11:40 am
MAHARASHTRA VIDEOS
Eye for Detail 15: The importance of Kartarpur corridor, Implant Files and the Maratha reservation
June 22, 2020 6:09 pm
This week we look at the importance of the Kartarpur corridor between India and Pakistan, why you should pay attention to the revelations from Implant Files and what the Maratha reservation could lead to.
On Day 2, protesting farmers march towards Mumbai’s Azad Maidan
June 22, 2020 6:10 pm
Thousands of farmers and tribals began a march from different parts of Maharashtra to culminate at Azad Maidan and ask for some of their long-pending demands to be met.
What the thousands of farmers protesting in Maharashtra are demanding
June 22, 2020 6:10 pm
Around 30,000 farmers and tribals are marching from Thane to Azad Maidan in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Here’s a list of their long-pending demands.
VIRAL: Video of tiger chasing tourists in Maharashtra goes viral
June 22, 2020 6:11 pm
The video showing a tigress chasing a tourist vehicle in the buffer zone of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve( TATR) in Chandrapur district set alarm bells ringing in TATR administration. The road where it happened has been closed for safari rides.
What tiger census tells us about the population in India: News in Numbers
June 22, 2020 6:11 pm
The killing of T1 or Avni, the tiger, in Maharashtra has led to much controversy. It’s worth looking at what the numbers in the tiger census tell us.
Why the Maratha agitation keeps coming back
June 22, 2020 6:20 pm
The Marathas, a third of the population of Maharashtra, began to agitate for their demands a little less than two years ago. While the current phase of renewed protests ended, the agitation is far from over.
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis says he's fine after chopper crash
June 22, 2020 7:02 pm
17 students critical after consuming mid-day meal in Palghar
February 26, 2016 9:23 am
Palghar (Maharashtra), Feb 26 (ANI): Over 100 students fell ill after consuming mid-day meal at a government-run school in Palghar district of Maharashtra. An official of the district education department Prakash Mokashi said action will be taken against the guilty. Jyoti Jadav, a student of the same school, said her stomach started aching after consuming the meal. 17 of the Kasa village primary school students are still critical.The police have sent food samples for tests to a laboratory in Mumbai.
Body of girl who died in Russia arrives in Mumbai
February 17, 2016 2:05 pm
Mumbai, Feb 17 (ANI): The body of a girl who died in a fire incident in Russia arrived in Mumbai on Wednesday. In the shocking tragedy, two medical students from Maharashtra died of suffocation after a fire broke out in their institute in Russia on Sunday morning. The deceased were identified as Karishma Bhosale (20) from Pune and Pooja Kallur (22) from Nerul. BJP leader Kirit Somaiya was seen condoling the family members of the girl.
Fire at ‘Make in India’: Fadnavis orders probe
February 15, 2016 4:26 am
Mumbai, Feb 15 (ANI): Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered a probe into a fire that engulfed the venue of a cultural event at the opening of a ‘Make in India’ week in Mumbai. The fire broke out around 8.15p.m. on the stage during a dance performance. Fanned by high winds, the fire quickly spread, licking the sides of a scaffolding rig. Thousands of spectators and dignitaries, including Fadnavis, were evacuated safely. The event was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to drum up foreign investment.
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