Maharashtra
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
‘Tough-talking’ or ‘bluff’ talking? Ajit Pawar finds himself in a row over call to IPS officer
September 05, 2025 8:56 pm
Officer was on duty probing a complaint of illegal sand mining, Pawar says was only trying to “defuse situation”; NCP claims miscommunication, points to its chief’s “brusque, blunt ways”
120 acres of racecourse to be developed on the lines of New York's Central Park: Shinde
September 05, 2025 7:08 pm
Eknath Shinde was speaking at the Idea Exchange Conclave of The Indian Express in Mumbai on Thursday.
Maharashtra plans lottery revamp: Ticket buyers won’t lose money but get it back with interest, says proposal
September 04, 2025 10:13 pm
Among other measures it is likely to suggest include the use of thousands of ATM machines for purchasing lottery ticket with safety protocols in place.
Eyeing extra revenue, Maharashtra Govt increases lease term for MSRTC land projects to 98 years
September 03, 2025 6:04 pm
The new policy is expected to enable the development of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation's (MSRTC) surplus land under a public-private partnership mode.
Amid concerns, Manoj Jarange Patil backs govt resolution, assures ‘all Marathas will be in OBC category’
September 03, 2025 4:51 pm
Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange-Patil dispelled rumours that the government resolution issued on Tuesday was false, saying that if there was any issue, it would be rectified.
Video calls to Jarange, LED screens, online darshans: How Mumbai Police tried to handle the protesters
September 02, 2025 10:46 pm
On the first day, when some protesters had stopped traffic for a few hours in south Mumbai near CST, the Zonal DCP Pravin Munde made a video call to Manoj Jarange-Patil who was fasting inside the Azad Maidan ground.
Centre's free imports to subdue cotton prices leave Maharashtra gin owners in dire straits
September 02, 2025 8:30 pm
Last month, the Central Government decided to remove the 11 per cent import duty on cotton to support the domestic garment sector.
Mumbai Maratha Protest LIVE: HC seeks Jarange Patil's reply to pleas alleging violations during protests
September 03, 2025 9:08 pm
Manoj Jarange Patil Maratha quota protest Today LIVE News Updates: Patil withdrew the agitation Tuesday after receiving the official Government Resolution (GR) on the implementation of the Hyderabad gazette, granting Kunbi status to Marathas of the Marathwada region.
2 burglars in women's attire break into Pune's Hadapsar firm, arrested
August 31, 2025 1:50 pm
According to Pune police, they have recovered copper plates and other items worth Rs 2.19 lakh stolen from the HERCO Transformers Limited Company at the Ramtekdi Industrial Estate in Hadapsar.
Around Town: Five generations, countless laddoos, the story of 100-year-old Manoranjan Ladu Depot in Mumbai
September 01, 2025 11:33 am
Manoranjan Ladu Depot was started in the 1920s by Balkhandi Lal Mishra, who left his hometown of Kanpur for then-Bombay in search of a better livelihood.
MAHARASHTRA PHOTOS
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
On first day of Ganesh festival, over 30,000 Ganpati idols immersed in Maharashtra
September 02, 2022 12:28 pm
There are five days for immersion in the ten-day long Ganpati festival.
Maharashtra celebrates Dahi Handi with pomp and grandeur after pandemic-gap
August 20, 2022 2:41 pm
Heavy rainfall in parts of Gujarat and Maharashtra results in flood-like situation
July 14, 2022 7:28 pm
In total. at least 60 deaths have been confirmed due to the floods.
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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