Maharashtra
7 in fray for 6 Rajya Sabha seats amid ‘horse-trading’ fears in Maharashtra

With 7 candidates in the fray for 6 seats, the stage is set for elections to the Rajya Sabha from the state amid apprehensions of ‘horse-trading’ being voiced in different quarters, here on Friday.
The ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) failed to agree on withdrawing the so-called ‘extra’ candidate for the 6th seat, paving the way for the polls, scheduled on June 10.
A delegation of MVA comprising Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, Sunil Kedar and Anil Desai met Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis to explore and ensure unopposed election for the 6 candidates as has been the tradition for over two decades.
However, after the deadline for withdrawal of nominations ended this afternoon, 7 candidates are left in the race who will compete for the 6 seats in the polls.
The main contest will be between Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Pawar and BJP’s Dhananjay Mahadik — both from Kolhapur — and would be a test of credibility and strength for both sides to get their respective nominee elected.
Given the current arithmetic of the state legislative assembly, the Shiv Sena, Nationalist Congress Party and Congress can easily get one elected and the BJP — which had three earlier, can get 2 elected.
With the help of Independents, smaller parties and the excess votes of their allies, both Sena and BJP are hoping to get their candidate elected for the 6th seat which is now being contested.
Sena’s Chief Spokesperson Sanjay Raut expressed regrets that the BJP did not honour the proposal to drop its nominee Mahadik to ensure unopposed elections, declared that the MVA will ensure all its four nominees are elected without any hassles.
BJP state president Chandrakant Patil also was confident of getting their third nominee (Mahadik) contending that the seat ‘belongs to the BJP’ and asked the Sena should withdraw its candidate.
NCP’s Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Sena and Congress leaders slammed the BJP for ‘forcing’ an election for the 6 Rajya Sabha seats rather than honouring the old norms of unopposed elections to the Upper House of Parliament.
“We are hearing that the BJP is preparing to throw money and threaten legislators with Central agencies to ensure their supporta That’s their style of politics, but we are fully confident of getting all our 4 candidates elected,” Raut said.
Patil denied the charges and said that they are not contacting any legislators from the ruling side, and claimed the BJP would overcome the requirements of around 10 votes needed to ensure Mahadik’s victory.
At one point, Patil urged the Sena to give up the RS seat since BJP is a national party and needed it more than a state party (Sena) which should focus on the upcoming Maharashtra Legislative Council elections where the BJP could give one seat in return.
It may be recalled that a royal scion from the Kolhapur throne, Yuvraj Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje had announced plans to contest the 6th Rajya Sabha seat as an independent, but after failing to get any commitments from either side, withdrew from the race last week.
Maharashtra
Samajwadi Party leader Abu Asim Azmi demands state secretary to pass anti-religious hatred bill in Maharashtra monsoon session

Mumbai: Maharashtra Samajwadi Party leader and MLA Abu Asim Azmi has demanded the passing of the Anti-Religious Hatred Bill. Abu Asim Azmi has sent a letter and a draft to the Secretary of the State Assembly, demanding the passing of the Anti-Religious Hatred Bill, which prohibits religious hatred including insulting important persons, religious places, holy places and blasphemy and has demanded strict legal action and law against its perpetrators. He said that the Anti-Religious Hatred Bill should be passed in the monsoon assembly session so that strict action can be taken against those who spread religious hatred in the state. He has drawn attention in his letter that in the case of religious hatred and insulting important persons, attempts are also made to incite communal violence and spoil the atmosphere. In such a situation, the Anti-Religious Hatred Law and Bill should be passed and banned. Azmi has also sent a private draft to the Secretary, suggesting action against those who spread religious hatred and insult important persons. This bill was passed in the same session. Azmi has strongly demanded this.
Maharashtra
Heavy rains fill Powai lake in Mumbai

Mumbai: Mumbai Municipal Corporation’s Powai Lake, an important artificial lake within the Mumbai BMC limits, filled up around 6 am today (June 18, 2025). The water of this lake with a storage capacity of 545 crore liters of water is not potable and is mainly used for industrial purposes and other purposes apart from drinking in Aarey Dairy Colony.
According to the water engineering department of the municipal corporation, the lake filled up due to rains in the catchment area of this lake for the last two days.
Here is a brief information about Powai Lake
This lake is located about 27 km (about 17 miles) from the Mumbai Municipal Corporation headquarters.
The construction of this artificial lake was completed in 1890.
The catchment area of the lake is about 6.61 km. When the lake is completely full, the water area is about 2.23 square kilometers. When the lake is completely filled, it contains 545.5 crore liters of water. (5455 million liters)
After this lake is completely filled, its water goes into the Methi river.
Last year this lake was filled on 8 July 2024.
Maharashtra
Protest in support of Palestine in Mumbai, protesters detained

Mumbai: Demonstration in support of Palestine in Mumbai proved costly for the protesters when the police detained the protesters demonstrating in support of Palestine from midnight. The leaders who had announced to protest in different areas of Mumbai to express sympathy for Palestine were stopped by the police from going to Azad Maidan from midnight. Chunabhatti police detained Miraj Siddiqui, Gurgaon police detained Comrade Prakash Reddy, MIDC police detained Firoz Mithi Borwala.
The protesters had sought permission to protest in support of Palestine, but the police refused to give permission, while the protesters had warned them against protesting. Firoz Mithi Borwala said that the police detained us from midnight to stop us from protesting. He said that after the threat from Hindu extremist organization Vishwa Hindu Parishad Bajrang Dal, the police took this action to crush the protest. Hindu organizations had clearly threatened that if Muslims protest against Israel, they will take to the streets in support of Israel. It was only after this threat that the police took action against the protesters in support of Palestine, which is completely illegal. Mumbai Police said that the permission has been canceled to maintain law and order. Police has issued an alert in Mumbai.
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