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Maharashtra Govt Formation: Top Leaders Locked In High-Stakes Portfolio Battle Ahead Of Ministers’ Swearing-In Ceremony On Dec 5

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Mumbai: The Maharashtra jigsaw puzzle is falling in place: the first indication of this came with the BJP outreach and the Devendra Fadnavis-Eknath Shinde ice-breaker at the caretaker CM’s official residence Varsha. The outreach – just before the BJP legislative party was due to elect its leader — was immediately seen as an attempt by the elder brother (read BJP) to retrieve the situation, which had almost veered to a point of no return.

Although the details of the meeting that lasted close to 45 minutes were not known, both the leaders were meeting for the first time after their photo op with Home Minister Amit Shah. Though for Devendra Fadnavis the meeting was a necessary prelude to formally staking claim and reclaiming the Chief Minister’s chair, for Shinde and his bruised ego it was a much-needed political balm.

If the meeting with Shah was all about optics, this one was all about political symbolism and the message the Shiv Sena chief wanted to send to his political constituency. With the decks cleared for the coalition government, it is now a matter of reconciling differences over the sticking points – the key portfolios and Shinde’s ‘face-saver.’

By nighttime, a tentative list of ministerial candidates was doing the rounds, giving a glimpse into the possible composition of this fragile coalition. While Ajit Pawar of the NCP is almost certain to take the Deputy Chief Minister’s post, questions loom over whether Eknath Shinde will accept a similar role.

Shinde’s faction has staked its claim to significant portfolios, including Home, Revenue, and Public Works, making it clear they will not settle for anything less. The Sena has some names up its sleeve, including stalwarts like Shinde himself, Dada Bhuse, Shambhuraj Desai, and Sanjay Rathod. Meanwhile, the BJP’s prospective lineup boasts of heavyweights like Ashish Shelar, Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, and Pankaja Munde. Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction has its own ‘stars’ – leaders like Aditi Tatkare, Chhagan Bhujbal, and Hasan Mushrif.

Demands Turn The Allocation Process Into A Test Of Political Brinkmanship

Each party’s demands have turned the portfolio allocation process into a test of political brinkmanship. The NCP is lobbying for 11 ministerial positions, including seven cabinet berths and a central post for Praful Patel. Simultaneously, the BJP—holding a majority in the alliance—is adamant about retaining critical departments like Home and Finance, deeming them as non-negotiable. Shinde’s lieutenants like Deepak Kesarkar and Uday Samant are pressing hard for plum posts including control of the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation and Urban Development.

Meanwhile, Ajit Pawar has leveraged his enviable position to secure assurances from Amit Shah. Pawar’s deft maneuvering is aimed at ensuring his faction retains the Finance Department, a portfolio critical to the NCP’s relevance in the government. As the December 5 swearing-in ceremony approaches, the power-sharing formula is beginning to crystallize. The BJP’s takeaway is 21-22 ministries, including Home and Revenue, and the Speaker’s post; for Shiv Sena, it is 12 ministries, including Urban Development, with eyes riveted on the Legislative Council Chairman’s position; for NCP, the bait is 9-10 ministries, including Finance and Deputy Speaker.

Eknath Shinde Softens His Stance Following Intense Back-Channel Negotiations

Shinde, after initial reluctance to accept the Deputy Chief Minister’s post, appears to have softened his stance following intense back-channel negotiations. The BJP, given its pre-eminent position, has played the kingmaker’s role with calculated precision. Fadnavis’ insistence on retaining the Home and Revenue ministries underscores his intent to keep Maharashtra’s administrative levers firmly in his hands. His political acumen has been instrumental in balancing the competing demands of the alliance partners. Shinde’s maneuvers—from retreating to his village citing ill health to sending emissaries for last minute negotiations—have highlighted his determination to safeguard the Shiv Sena’s clout. Meanwhile, Ajit Pawar has proven yet again why he is regarded as one of Maharashtra’s sharpest political operators, securing critical gains for his faction while keeping up the pretense of coalition dharma.

As preparations for the grand ceremony at Azad Maidan reach a crescendo, the Mahayuti alliance is seeking to project a united face. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior NDA leaders are expected to attend, lending weight to the coalition’s legitimacy. Yet, beneath the veneer, the warts are showing. The Maharashtra chessboard has seen brilliant gambits marked by ambition, negotiation, and compromise. As Fadnavis, Shinde, and Pawar prepare to take their oaths, the state’s political landscape has changed its contours. The ensuing months will test the Mahayuti’s resilience, with each partner continuing to maneuver for greater spoils on this high-stakes chessboard.

Maharashtra

Bihar’s crores thief Aamir Kabir arrested from Mumbai

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Mumbai: Mumbai Malad Police has arrested a clever prince thief who used to disguise himself as a woman to escape from the police and used railway tracks to avoid CCTV cameras. Malad Police has seized a gold melting machine, 36 tolas of gold and silver jewellery, women’s clothes and cash from the thief. Police investigation has revealed that the accused thief has many bungalows and flats. He was committing such thefts for a long time, but was not caught yet. However, he has committed dozens of such thefts so far. Malad Police has arrested Prince Aamir Kabir thief after a lot of hard work and further investigation is on.

According to ACP Hemant Sawant of Malad Division, the clever accused Ranjeet Kumar Upendra alias Munna (44) is a resident of Babuganj in Bihar. He was arrested from Malad Malwani area. To escape from the police, the accused used to steal by disguising himself as a woman and sometimes used to walk on the railway track in the guise of a beggar to steal. According to senior Malad police officer Vijay Panhale, property worth about 57 lakhs has been seized from the accused, which includes 16 lakh cash deposited in the bank and jewelry and goods worth 41 lakhs. So far 8 cases have been registered against this clever thief, but he has not been arrested anywhere.

This disclosure has been made after the team of Malad Police Station’s investigating officer Tushar Sukhdev, Santosh Satwase, Amit Govind, Avinash Jadhav, constable Mahesh Doifode examined more than 150 CCTV cameras from the railway track and other places. The police is expecting more such serious revelations as the accused has been cleverly escaping from the spot while committing countless such crimes for the last 10 years and has become the owner of flats, land and bungalows worth crores.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai: 3 arrested for fraud in the name of providing gold at cheap price

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Mumbai: Mumbai Police has busted a gang that claimed to import gold from abroad and provide gold to people at cheap prices by becoming a self-styled police. The police have claimed to have arrested three members of this gang – according to the details, they gained the trust of the complainant by promising to import pure gold from abroad and sell it at a low price. It may be noted that the accused cheated the complainant by calling him Rs 2 lakh in cash and disguising himself as a police officer on May 27, 2025 at around 3:30 pm at BMW Showroom, CST Road, Kalina, Santa Cruz East Mumbai and not giving the gold to the complainant. The police have registered a case of cheating in this case.

During the search for the accused in this crime, information was received from technical investigation and confidential informant that the said accused was going to come to CST Road, Kalina, Santa Cruz Mumbai on June 2. Accordingly, the BKC Police Station Crime Detection Team had laid a trap at the said place. When the accused CST reached there around 4 pm, the police team identified the accused and kept an eye on him. However, as soon as they suspected the matter, the accused fled from Kurla and got into his motor car parked in front of the BMW showroom. The said motor car and the accused were chased by the police team. At that time, the said accused and his accomplices fled the car leaving the car on the road. The police team chased the accused who had snatched the motor car and out of the 04 accused who were riding in the motor car, 3 accused were arrested and arrested at different places.

The arrested 3 accused are criminals and criminal cases are registered against them in different police stations.
The identity of the accused whom the police have arrested in this case is, Muhammad Mohsin Abu Bilal Chaudhary, 33 years old, against him, Other cases including cheating are registered in BKC, Nowghar, Ghatkopar.
Cases have been registered against Tabrez Younis Qureshi, 39, at BKC, Gujrat, and Nowghar police stations. Cases have been registered against Pradeep Dadaram Thorat, 37, at BKC, Parghar police stations, including cases of assault and violence. DCP Manish Kalaniya has not ruled out further arrests in this case and the police are hopeful of more revelations in the investigation. DCP Manish said that this group used to cheat under the guise of providing gold. The investigation is also underway to find out how many people this group has fooled and cheated through this method so far and the investigation is underway under the guidance of senior officers.

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Maharashtra

The decision to keep cattle markets closed on Eid-ul-Azha in Maharashtra was withdrawn

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Mumbai: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has also withdrawn the proposal to ensure peace and order on Eid-ul-Adha in Mumbai and to keep the cattle market closed. Earlier, a proposal was made to keep the cattle market closed during Eid-ul-Adha, which was opposed by Muslims, and after that, this decision has also been withdrawn. Before Eid-ul-Adha in Mumbai, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has issued necessary orders for Eid-ul-Adha in a peaceful atmosphere. In a meeting of Muslim representatives, the Chief Minister accepted all the demands of Muslims and assured them of taking necessary steps during the sacrifice, from providing facilities at the goat market in Deonar to providing necessary facilities. Abu Asim Azmi said that BJP leaders Kirit Somaiya and Nitish Rane are trying to spoil the atmosphere.

They are announcing that there will be no sacrifice to put pressure on the society, but this demand was also made to the Chief Minister that there should be no obstruction in the process of sacrifice in those societies where sacrifice is done. Muslim representatives also demanded to keep an eye on the mischief of miscreants during the sacrifice and take necessary action against anti-social elements. The Chief Minister assured that like every year, the sacrifice process will end peacefully this year too. He has accepted all the demands of the Muslims and given special consideration to every issue. Abu Asim Azmi said that there is a need to curb the mischief of miscreants during the sacrifice so that the situation remains peaceful. Instructions have also been given that animal traders in Deonar do not face any kind of problem. At the same time, the distress of the traders due to the animals’ carts not being emptied for 36 hours was also discussed. The Chief Minister has also banned the collection of additional fees.

In an important meeting, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis assured that like every year, facilities will be provided on Eid-ul-Adha this time too, and peace and order will be maintained. The proposal to close the animal market was withdrawn and the fee for sacrificial animals was reduced from Rs 200 to Rs 20. The Chief Minister also issued an order to take action against those involved in corruption. Those spreading hatred are trying to spoil the atmosphere on Eid by creating Hindu-Muslim differences. Azmi has also demanded a ban on the language of these sectarians. The Chief Minister has directed to pay special attention to maintaining order during the sacrifice.

Abu Asim Azmi told the Chief Minister that an additional fee was collected for emptying the animal cart, Rs. 500 instead of Rs. 200, Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 5,000 was collected for parking, the fee of the goat of the trader who is not sold during Eid-ul-Adha should be refunded, earlier the fee of the goat for deonar was Rs. 20, it should be increased to Rs. 200, five gates and five push gates should be set up for unloading the goat in deonar, along with this, there is a rush of buyers during the sacrifice, three windows should be started for the convenience of the customers, the Chief Minister approved all these demands and issued necessary orders.

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