Mumbai: As per the instructions of the Election Commission of India, the draft electoral rolls have been published under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR)-2026 programme. Claims and objections regarding the draft rolls, such as cases where names are missing or there are problems with the existing entries, can be filed till September 30, 2026. Voters are being informed about this through various channels. However, District Election Officer and Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide has appealed to all political parties to encourage voters to include their names in the voter list by completing the necessary documents. Meanwhile, representatives of political parties have expressed satisfaction over the actions taken by the Mumbai Municipal Corporation administration regarding the SIR-2026 programme in the Mumbai area.
A meeting with political parties regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR)-2026 programme was held today (03 September 2026) at the Municipal Corporation Headquarters. The meeting was attended by Additional District Election Officer and Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Prajakta Verma-Lawangire; Additional District Election Officer and Additional Municipal Commissioner (Western Suburbs) Dr. Vipin Sharma; Additional District Election Officer and Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Shri Abhijit Bangar; Joint Commissioner (Assessment and Collection) Shri Vishwas Shankarwar; along with representatives of various political parties. The representatives of political parties were given detailed information about the ongoing process for Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Rolls (SIR)-2026 through a computer presentation. Under this programme, several processes have already been completed, including door-to-door visits by Booth Level Officers (BLOs); Distribution, collection and digitization of counting forms; publication of draft electoral roll; and rationalization of polling stations (with the approval of the Election Commission). Currently, claims and objections will be accepted from August 31 to September 30, 2026. Thereafter, claims and objections will be disposed of between August 31 and October 29, 2026, and the final electoral roll is scheduled to be published on November 4, 2026. In this context, District Election Officer and Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide said that the administration is trying to complete the SIR-2026 process within the stipulated time through coordination of Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs), Supervisors, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and Booth Level Agents (BLAs). He urged political parties to cooperate with BLOs to reach out to voters, provide them with proper guidance, and submit the necessary documents for inclusion in the voter list. Bhide also appealed for cooperation to ensure that the entire process is carried out smoothly and properly.

Mumbai, Sep 3: Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday after the Maharashtra government’s pledge to make the state drug-free by 2029.

Terming the ambitious initiative a “hypocritical” and “event-driven spectacle”, the Thackeray camp, in an editorial in the party’s mouthpiece ‘Saamana’, questioned why the ruling administration failed to curb the flourishing narcotics trade despite holding power for over a decade. ​

The Thackeray faction pointed out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has been at the helm in New Delhi since 2014, while Devendra Fadnavis has wielded significant authority in Maharashtra for roughly the same period. The party urged citizens to mark the 2029 deadline in their calendars and hold the current political leadership accountable when the timeline expires. ​

The editorial levelled grave allegations against the state administration, claiming that illicit drug trade networks, liquor manufacturers, and contraband suppliers operate under explicit political patronage.

Referring to past busts of illicit manufacturing units in Nashik, Pune, and Satara, the Shiv Sena(UBT) accused the state Home Department — headed by CM Fadnavis — of suppressing critical investigations into land allocations and chemical pill factories. ​

Describing the worsening law-and-order situation, the editorial warned that regions like Nashik and Pune are turning the state into an “Udta Maharashtra”. The editorial further condemned BJP leaders for allegedly mocking local citizens who took to the streets to protest against growing substance abuse.

​”The BJP is a hypocritical and publicity-obsessed party of the highest order,” the editorial stated. “Currently, all drug traffickers, alcohol manufacturers, cigar and cigarette vendors, and bhang-ganja sellers in Maharashtra are under the patronage of the BJP. The wheels of BJP’s politics run on this drug trade, yet these very people have set out to make Maharashtra ‘drug-free’,” it remarked.

Raising questions about the official definition of “intoxication”, the editorial highlighted that numerous sugar factory owners who produce alcohol “have taken refuge within the BJP’s ranks”. It questioned whether CM Fadnavis would dare to issue stern warnings to these “liquor barons” or attempt to reframe the classification of alcohol to dilute the campaign’s mandate. ​

The attack also extended beyond state borders, citing massive drug seizures at a Gujarat port originating from neighbouring countries like Afghanistan and Pakistan. The editorial alleged that despite claims of high-level security, narcotics continue to flow unhindered into Maharashtra through these trade corridors. ​

Concluding its broadside, the Thackeray camp asserted that addiction in the state is not limited to illegal substances such as charas, ganja, and brown sugar. “Intoxication and drunkenness stem not just from substances, but also from corruption and money — and Maharashtra will have to be freed from that intoxication as well,” the editorial declared.

Thane, Sep 3: Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) Working President and MP Supriya Sule on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on the Maharashtra state government and the ruling NCP faction, raising sharp questions over the lack of progress and non-registration of an FIR in the fatal plane crash of her brother and former Deputy Chief Minister, late Ajit Pawar.

Addressing a press conference at the party office in Thane, Sule drew a stark contrast between the swift police action against Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Amit Thackeray and the perceived official apathy surrounding Ajit Pawar’s tragic death.

Reacting to the case registered against MNS leader Amit Thackeray for removing a photograph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sule questioned the government’s priorities. “When a photograph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is removed, a case is registered against Amit Thackeray within two hours. On the other hand, no FIR has been lodged yet in the death case of my brother Ajit Pawar,” she remarked.

She further expressed deep distress over the complete lack of transparency in the investigation. “My brother met with such a major aviation accident. He was the sitting Deputy Chief Minister of the state, yet the government has not filed a single case. We have no idea where the probe stands or what its status is,” she stated.

Targeting the ruling NCP MLAs and ministers who were close associates of the late leader, Sule slammed them for enjoying political power while remaining silent on the investigation.

“The Ajit Pawar faction is part of the ruling government. Yet, not a single one of their 40 MLAs or 9 ministers has uttered a single word demanding an FIR or a probe into my brother’s death. My brother is gone, but these people continue to enjoy the fruits of power without seeking justice for him,” she alleged.

Expanding her criticism beyond political issues, Sule touched upon key public grievances across Maharashtra. She ridiculed the state of roads across Maharashtra, stating that commuters can no longer tell whether roads have potholes or potholes have roads.

She highlighted opposition from Kolhapur farmers against the Shaktipeeth Highway project, accusing the government of forcefully imposing costly projects on citizens.

Opposing the proposed Thane Ring Metro, Sule demanded that the government focus on improving basic bus services instead. “Why execute a project worth Rs 1,00,000 when work can be done efficiently for Rs 500? The government only favours expensive mega-projects, leaving no funds for essential, low-cost public needs,” she charged.

Commenting on the rising cost of living, Sule noted that milk prices have crossed Rs 100 per litre. She questioned how common taxpayers are expected to survive when the government offers no relief despite collecting heavy taxes.

Sule revealed that her party is closely reviewing voter lists daily to track names that have been arbitrarily deleted or modified.

Speaking on ongoing legal battles regarding party legitimacy, she lamented the continuous deferrals in court, asking, “When will this cycle of ‘tareekh pe tareekh’ (endless dates) finally end in our lives?”