Maharashtra
After ruling state for 52 years, Congress struggles to recapture Maharashtra
One of the few states that was once considered a Congress stronghold, Maharashtra slipped out of the Congress grip first in 1995 and then in 2014, and the party now struggles to make a comeback fighting all odds, within and outside.
The Congress has ruled the prosperous west Indian state for 52 years since it was founded on May 1, 1960 — either solo, or through alliances, or via one or the other breakaway factions.
It was in 1995 that the sun first set on the party and the first real non-Congress government of Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party alliance came to power and governed a full term.
The Congress bounced back in the 1999 Assembly elections, with a reduced majority, formed an alliance with the breakaway Nationalist Congress Party (NCP-1999), and they ruled for 15 years.
During the BJP wave unleashed by Narendra Modi, who became the Prime Minister in 2014, the Congress-NCP government was also washed away.
After five years, in 2019, it rebounded as an ally in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government comprising Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress, which was toppled after two-and-a-half years, while the party grappled with severe ‘leakages’ at various levels.
“The problems largely started around a decade ago when the BJP took recourse to caste-communal politics, subverting institutions, false narratives, raising irrelevant matters while ignoring the real and burning problems of the economy, inflation, unemployment, farmers, women, youth, etc,” said Congress working President Naseem Khan.
He argued that now the people have realised the hollow claims of the Modi regime and are gradually veering around to clean, ethical, values and issue-based politics that Congress represents.
Khan denies that the state Congress is crumbling and pointed to its growing influence in the past few years at local, state and national levels, indicating how its mass support base remains largely intact.
A former four-time Congress MP feels that the state unit is plagued by infighting — as in other states or even at the national level — for which it had to pay dearly in 2014, and joining the MVA in 2019 was a ‘compromise’ to keep the BJP at bay.
“Many state leaders remain busy on social media, give lousy TV bytes or issue bland statements that are ignored� Instead, they must go for ‘mass-connect’, reach out to understand people’s grievances, open channels with other like-minded parties, take up public-oriented campaigns etc., since modern-day politics is very different from the pre-2000 era,” he said, requesting anonymity.
A present state office-bearer confided how the current AICC Maharashtra in-charge, S.K. Patil, is reportedly adapting “a lackadaisical approach, barely communicates in Hindi or rarely goes beyond Mumbai, cutting himself off from the ‘actual ground problems’ afflicting the party organisation”.
“Earlier, some of the AICC in-charges (like Mallikarjun Kharge) could even communicate in Marathi, would crack the whip during crises, tour different parts of the state, interact with district-level workers, and keep their fingers on the pulse of the party and the people,” he pointed out.
Mumbai Congress North Indian Cell Vice-President V.P. Singh feels many ‘inefficient or disinterested’ persons have been foisted both in the party at various levels, affecting the party workers’ morale and creating more rifts that are exploited by the opponents, citing various examples.
“What we need is to rebuild the party at the booth level with committed activists who will strengthen the district, the state and the national-level organisation. This aspect has been lost as many leaders prefer greenhorn sycophants over experienced performers with mass outreach,” rued Singh.
Khan confidently asserted that the Congress is readying for the Assembly polls, whenever they are held, and is optimistic of regaining its numero uno status soon, both in the Assembly and Parliamentary elections.
Fortunately, most leaders are buoyed by the ongoing Bharat Jodo Yatra led by Rahul Gandhi and the Indian National Congress Presidential elections, with a united chorus that it would do “a sea of good and invigorate the party from bottom to the top” for future challenges.
“The response to Rahulji across the BJY route is phenomenal and has ‘electrified’ the entire party. By the time it is completed, the Congress will re-emerge as a major force to reckon with in the 2024 elections� Already certain actions of the BJP betray their deep worries,” said Khan.
Several other party leaders at different levels echo similar sentiments, and strongly express the need “to rebuild the party on a war-footing”, opening party offices at the village levels (rural) or ward levels (urban), counter or expose the government policies at all levels, aggressively woo the media, and top national leaders should tour different states regularly for feedback.
In conclusion, notwithstanding the conviction by many leaders, the Congress in the state indeed faces a tough challenge to resurrect itself to its preeminent status — before it ‘leaks’ afresh�
Maharashtra
Mumbai: Incidents of violence against Muslims due to hate crimes in Maharashtra are worrying, Abu Asim makes serious allegations in the Assembly

Mumbai: The law and order situation in Maharashtra is very bad, even the passage of Muslims has become difficult here. Muslims are being targeted on the streets and in public places because of their turbans. The identity of Muslims is being attacked. There has been an increase in hate crimes in Maharashtra. This is worrying. Therefore, action is necessary against such elements and anti-social elements who target Muslims. This demand has been made by MLA Abu Asim Azmi in the Assembly. He said that it has become difficult for Muslims to walk on the streets. No one can tell when someone will attack a Muslim dressed in a beard, kurta and turban. Muslims and common people are now having to bear the brunt of the hatred for power in Maharashtra. It is the result of this hate agenda that incidents of violence against Muslims have increased. Muslim youths were attacked with sharp weapons during Iftar in Pune. A 17-year-old Mehwish was killed in Akola simply because her gaze was focused on a youth from the opposite direction. She killed the youth. These are crimes that are born out of hatred. And in Nanded on the occasion of Eid, a bomb blast has taken place in a suspected motorcycle. This is extremely worrying. This motorcycle exploded when Muslims were offering prayers at the Nanded Eidgah. This was not a conspiracy. The motorcycle rider was also killed in the explosion. All these incidents show the growing hatred that is tearing our society and country apart. Tolerance is eroding, and law and order has deteriorated significantly. I appeal to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to take strict action against hate crimes as soon as possible.
Crime
Mumbai Crime: 31-Year-Old Railway Engineer Booked For Posting Wife’s Private Photos On Instagram Amid Divorce Row

Mumbai: An incident has come to light in which a man allegedly uploaded his wife’s objectionable photos on social media after she filed an application for divorce over his alleged extramarital affairs.
The 31-year-old victim, originally from Rajasthan and currently residing in Malad East, is preparing for the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) examination. Her husband, also 31, works as a senior section engineer with Western Railway, with his office located at Khar Road in Bandra East. After their marriage on November 25, 2020, the couple began living in Goregaon West.
According to the FIR, soon after the marriage, the complainant discovered that her husband was involved in an extramarital affair, which led to frequent arguments between them. Following repeated altercations, she moved to her parents’ house on August 23, 2024. Subsequently, the accused allegedly visited her parental home, verbally abused her, threatened to commit suicide, and warned that he would implicate her and her family in false cases.
Thereafter, the complainant started living separately. The accused allegedly gained access to her Instagram account, changed her profile details, and began chatting with her friends while impersonating her. When she objected, he allegedly threatened to defame her.
Police said that the accused’s behaviour became more aggressive after she filed for divorce at the Bandra family court in June 2025. On January 15, 2026, he allegedly altered her Instagram profile and uploaded objectionable photos and posts from her account. He also allegedly threatened her over the phone, stating that if she proceeded with the divorce, he would ruin her life and kill her.
Again, on March 18, 2026, the accused allegedly uploaded her private photos with a ‘one-time view’ caption and later deleted them. However, the complainant managed to view the content using another mobile phone.
It is further alleged that the accused defamed the woman by making the photos viral on Instagram. The complaint also states that he sent abusive voice messages to her female friend and her friend’s husband, defaming the complainant’s character.
Based on her complaint, the Dindoshi police registered an FIR against the accused on March 21 under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 351(2), 352, and 356, along with Sections 66C, 66E, and 67A of the Information Technology Act.
Crime
Mumbai Crime: 16-Year-Old Boy Stabbed To death By Minor In Santacruz Brawl; Accused Sent To Juvenile Custody

Mumbai: A 16-year-old boy was allegedly killed by one of his friends in Santacruz West on Sunday. Police said that an altercation broke out between the deceased and his friends, during which a person from another group stabbed him with a knife. The deceased has been identified as Prem Harijan, who had recently appeared for his Class 10 examinations. The accused, identified as Faizan, was arrested and has been sent to juvenile custody, police said.
According to the police, Prem was a resident of Santacruz West, while the accused Faizan resides in Khar Danda. The incident occurred at around 8:15 pm near Harba Mauli Bridge in Juhu Koliwada, Santacruz West. The accused allegedly stabbed Prem on the left side of his chest.
Additionally, the accused attacked Prem’s friend, Harsh Jha, who sustained injuries to the left side of his waist and the back of his left thigh. Police said the accused also attempted to kill Jha.
Prem’s father, Omprakash Harijan, 42, who works as a cleaning staff member, filed a complaint. Based on his complaint, the police on Monday registered a case of murder and attempted murder against Faizan, who is a labourer.
Police said that one of the deceased’s friends had informed him about a dispute with another group. Prem then went with his friend to meet the group from Khar Danda, where a physical fight broke out between them. When local residents intervened and asked them to leave the area, Prem and his friends moved towards a nearby bridge, where Faizan allegedly attacked him.
Prem was rushed to Bhabha Hospital in Bandra West, where doctors declared him dead during treatment.
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