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

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
Samajwadi Party is not part of Mumbai Municipal Corporation Vikas Aghadi: Abu Asim Azmi

Mumbai: The Samajwadi Party will not enter into an electoral alliance with the Maha Vikas Aghadi in the Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, not will it be part of this alliance. Those who objected to the release of innocent Muslims imprisoned for 19 years but remained silent on the release of the accused in the Malegaon blasts. Those who express pride in the demolition of the Babri Masjid, take the names of Lord Ram and Lord Vishwanath, but call the holy water of the Sangam smelly and make Uttar Bharatiyas and North Indians a target for violence. This is a province where the Pawars go to do their country’s panddan. Those belonging to such provinces insult and subject North Indians and Biharis to violence.
If such people are part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi, the Samajwadi Party will never be part of it.
The Samajwadi Party does politics of justice, secularism, constitutional values and Ganga-Jamuni culture. Therefore, we cannot be part of any alliance that includes forces that spread hatred and divide the country. This kind of explanation has been given by Mumbai Maharashtra Samajwadi Party leader and MLA Abu Asim Azmi. Elections are approaching, in such a situation, Mahayoti and Maha Vikas Aghadi are very serious about their allied parties. In such a situation, the Samajwadi Party has clearly refused to enter into an understanding with Maha Vikas Aghadi and has called it biased. Now there is curiosity about the expected entry and entry of MNS in Maha Vikas. In such a situation, the Samajwadi Party has denied it and said that it is unable to participate in the elections with those who incite violence on the basis of regionalism.
Maharashtra
Controversy over ban on photography in the guise of Shivaji Maharaj at Vasai Fort, verbal clash with non-Marathi guard, attempt to create Hindi-Marathi controversy

Mumbai: The Marathi-non-Marathi conflict in the ancient fort of Mumbai’s Vasai has once again intensified the atmosphere. Due to which tension has spread in the area and after allegations of obscenity and immoral behavior of young couples in the fort, the police have issued an alert around the fort. A Marathi-Hindi conflict broke out in the ancient fort in Vasai Virar when a non-Marathi migrant guard opposed a photo shoot in the guise of a Maharaj, after which the video went viral on social media and now there is a flood of comments on it. The migrant guards of Bhayander Center stopped the artists who were getting a photo shoot and filming in the guise of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Vasai Fort, which is located within the limits of Vasai Police Station.
Social media influencer actor Rupesh Dilip Halawale has shared an incident that happened to him on social media. Rupesh Halawale was getting a photo shoot in the guise of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the Vasai Fort. However, a person present there stopped them from taking photos. Moreover, since he was a migrant, he could not speak Marathi. On this, Rupesh consoled the man.
In the video, Rupesh first says in Hindi to a man dressed as a security guard, “I respected you by speaking Hindi, then you should also respect me by living in Maharashtra and speaking Marathi.” Then he asks him, “How many years have you been working here? Why haven’t you learned Marathi in all these years? Why don’t you know Marathi? When will you learn Marathi?” Then he shows the man’s identity card. On which the name of Brijesh Kumar Gupta is written.
Then Rupesh says, “This man works as a security guard in Vasai Fort. When we were taking photos in the attire of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, he stops the Marathi people and says in a very adamant manner, I don’t know Marathi.”
Then the security guard brings another person. On this too Rupesh says, “You want to be famous.. You have brought this man here to do bhai giri, if you do not respect Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj here then you will have to leave this job, there is a shooting of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj here. We should know what is the condition of the forts, how was the fort built, what do couples do when they come here”.
“It is okay for some people to come with their mothers and sisters. But when some people come to do inappropriate and immoral things, what do you do, your eyes get wide open.
“Here we do not do any nonsense, we do not wear Maharaj’s clothes and drink alcohol. We are just taking pictures. When the couples are doing nonsense, you do not say anything to them. This will not be tolerated. Then you respect them, and start learning Marathi from tomorrow.
Maharashtra
Mira Road Violence: 65 Booked After Violent Clash Over Parking In Dachkul-Pada, Several Injured & 30 Autos Damaged

Mira Road: Tensions flared in Mira Road’s Dachkul-Pada area early Tuesday morning after a violent clash broke out over a parking dispute, leading to multiple injuries and extensive property damage.
The Kashigaon police have booked 15 identified individuals and around 50 unidentified others for their involvement in the attack, which left at least three to four people injured and nearly 30 to 35 autorickshaws damaged.
According to officials, the incident occurred around 6 am on Tuesday when a group of locals got into an argument with a few autorickshaw drivers who were washing their vehicles by blocking the road. The situation quickly escalated when one of the complainants, who had objected to the road being blocked, was allegedly attacked. Within minutes, the accused reportedly called in reinforcements from nearby areas, and around 50 men armed with axes, bamboo sticks, and sickles stormed into the lane.
“They attacked the complainant and a few others with sharp weapons and sticks. One of the victims suffered a head injury requiring stitches, while others escaped with bruises and scratches,” a police officer said. The crowd also went on a rampage, damaging several autorickshaws parked in the vicinity.
Locals alleged that the police arrived at the scene nearly an hour after the assault, by which time the attackers had fled. They also claimed that a group of miscreants regularly create nuisance in the area under the pretext of cleaning their autos and have been involved in drug-related activities. Residents have urged for stricter patrolling and police presence in the locality to prevent further incidents.
In response, Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik and MLA Narendra Mehta visited the site of the clash and assured residents that swift and strict action would be taken against those responsible for the violence.
Senior Police Inspector Mahesh Togarwad of Kashigaon Police Station confirmed that around 65 people have been booked under serious charges, including attempt to murder (Section 307), causing grievous hurt with weapons, rioting, unlawful assembly, and relevant sections of the Maharashtra Police Act for carrying prohibited weapons.
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