National News
Maharashtra Politics: Ambernath Alliance Sparks Political Embarrassment For BJP & Congress State Units
Mumbai: The state units of BJP and Congress were left red-faced after their local units in Ambernath (Thane district) allied to form the municipal council. While the state BJP distanced itself from the move, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis termed it a violation of party discipline. Congress, meanwhile, suspended its 12 councillors involved in the alliance.
In another setback, BJPs local unit in Akot (Akola district) aligned with Asaduddin Owaisi-led AIMIM, drawing criticism from BJP leaders. These two developments, coming amid campaigning for elections to 29 municipal corporations, triggered a furore and invited strong reactions from both the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena. Reacting to the developments, Fadnavis said such arrangements lacked approval from BIP state leadership and amounted to a breach of discipline.
Any alliance with Congress or AIMIM will not be accepted. If any local leader has taken such a decision on his own, it is wrong in terms of discipline, and action will be taken,” he said.
The Shiv Sena, led by Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, which was furious over the Ambernath decision, termed the move a betrayal of coalition dharma. As reported, BJP leaders in Ambernath formed the Ambernath Vikas Aghadi with the Congress and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP to run the civic body. This relegated the Shinde-led Shiv Sena to the opposition benches.
Following reports of the alliance on Wednesday, the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee suspended 12 councillors and dissolved the Ambernath block committee. The Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) also dissolved the Ambernath block committee. In Akot, the BJP, along with the AIMIM, two factions of the Shiv Sena, the NCP, former MLA Bachchu Kadu’s Prahar Janshakti Party, and other groups, formed the Akot Vikas Manch to govern the civic body.
The state BJP issued a show-cause notice to local MLA Prakash Bharsakhle, seeking an explanation. “You have undermined the party ideology by aligning with the AIMIM,” said the notice issued by BJP state president Ravindra Chavan. The Shiv Sena (UBT) reacted sharply, saying the developments reflected double standards and showed that the BJP could go to any extent to grab power. Party MP Sanjay Raut said the alignments in Akot and Ambernath exposed the BJP’s frivolous political behaviour.
Sanjay Raut added that these alliances contradicted the BJP’s stated ideological positions. Meanwhile, BJP leaders in Akola claimed the AIMIM councillors had quit their party and joined the Akot Vikas Manch. AIMIM leader and former MP Imtiaz Jaleel said, “Our political stance is against the BJP. I have asked the party incharge in Akot to brief me immediately.”
Owaisi has made it clear that his party will not have a truck with the BJP, he said. Akola BJP MLA Randhir Savarkar claimed that out of the five AIMIM council members in Akot, four “rejected the party’s hardline and communal stance” and chose to join the Akot Vikas Manch.
National News
Navi Mumbai Police Impose Traffic Restrictions Near D Y Patil Stadium During WPL 2026

Navi Mumbai: Navi Mumbai police will impose traffic restrictions on the service road near Dr. D. Y. Patil Stadium in Nerul from January 9 to January 17, 2026, to ensure security and smooth movement during the BCCI Women’s Premier League (WPL) T20 cricket matches.
According to the traffic control notification issued by the Turbhe Traffic Division, all types of vehicles will be barred from plying and parking on the service road between Bhimashankar Society and the L.P. Rickshaw Stand from 7 am to 11 pm on match days, as the route has been earmarked for the movement of players and dignitaries.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Tirupati Kakade said the restrictions are being enforced under provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act to prevent congestion and maintain law and order in the stadium vicinity during the matches.
Commuters have been advised to use the Sion–Panvel Highway, specifically the Uran Phata to L.P. Bridge stretch, as an alternative route to reach their destinations.
The restrictions will not apply to vehicles carrying essential commodities, police vehicles, fire brigade units, ambulances, government vehicles, other emergency services, and vehicles holding official passes issued by the WPL/IPL management.
Mumbai Press Exclusive News
Providing basic amenities to Mumbai is our priority, Samajwadi Party’s election manifesto released, Abu Asim Azmi claims to solve urban problems

Mumbai: The Samajwadi Party released its election manifesto for the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections at a press conference today. The party’s Maharashtra president Abu Asim Azmi presented this manifesto keeping in mind the basic problems of the people of Mumbai. Abu Asim Azmi has also promised free water supply along with basic amenities in the election manifesto. It has been promised to provide 700 liters of clean and free drinking water to every family in Mumbai daily. To raise the standard of education, it has been decided to improve the quality of municipal schools and provide scholarships and free facilities to needy students for higher education. It has also been declared necessary to arrange modern medical facilities, neighborhood clinics and free medicines in every ward of Mumbai in the medical department and health department. In addition, efforts have been made for equal employment opportunities. Creating new employment opportunities for the youth and making special projects to eliminate unemployment are also part of the election manifesto. Providing better facilities for the residents of slums, pucca houses and pothole-free roads in the city, bringing transparency in the functioning of BMC and eliminating corruption are also the main components of the election manifesto. Addressing the press conference, Abu Asim Azmi said that the Samajwadi Party is committed to the development of Mumbai and to providing its people with their fundamental rights. Our aim is not just to make promises but to make Mumbai a better and prosperous city.
National News
BMC Elections 2026: Mumbai Candidates Declare Massive Surge In Assets, Multi-Crore Wealth Revealed In Affidavits

Mumbai, Jan 08: Details of assets, profession and criminal records of selected candidates contesting the upcoming civic elections in Mumbai, as declared in their affidavits, are as follows:
Shaila Dilip Lande – Shiv Sena (Shinde), Ward 163 (Saki Naka)
Profession: Business
Total movable and immovable assets as of 2025: ₹8,18,76,134
Total movable and immovable assets as of 2017: ₹14,27,651
Criminal cases: 0
Found guilty: 0
Kamalakar Naik – Independent, Ward 169 (Kurla Nehru Nagar)
Profession: Business
Total movable and immovable assets as of 2025: ₹11,83,36,519
Total movable and immovable assets as of 2017: ₹1,92,76,226
Criminal cases: 2
Found guilty: 0
Dhanajay Pisal – Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar), Ward 111 (Kanjur Village)
Profession: Service
Total movable and immovable assets as of 2025: ₹21,82,57,202
Total movable and immovable assets as of 2019: ₹8,55,21,925
Criminal cases: 0
Found guilty: 0
Sonam Manoj Jamsutkar – Shiv Sena (UBT), Ward 210 (Mumbai Central)
Profession: Business
Total movable and immovable assets as of 2025: ₹14,38,84,259
Total movable and immovable assets as of 2017: ₹7,08,67,928
Criminal cases: 0
Found guilty: 0
Geeta Gawli – Akhil Bhartiya Sena, Ward 212 (Mahalaxmi–Umar Park)
Profession: Business
Total movable and immovable assets as of 2025: ₹7,26,92,393
Total movable and immovable assets as of 2017: ₹3,45,32,902
Criminal cases: 0
Found guilty: 0
Sana Haji Halim Khan – Shiv Sena (UBT), Ward 96 (Bandra East)
Profession: Not mentioned
Total movable and immovable assets as of 2025: ₹9,46,03,435
Total movable and immovable assets as of 2017: Not contested
Criminal cases: 0
Found guilty: 0
Nehal Shah – Independent, Ward 177 (Matunga)
Profession: Business
Total movable and immovable assets as of 2025: ₹7,04,11,095
Total movable and immovable assets as of 2017: ₹1,69,77,255
Criminal cases: 0
Found guilty: 0
Rajul Sameer Desai – BJP, Ward 56 (Goregaon)
Profession: Business
Total movable and immovable assets as of 2025: ₹24,28,81,925
Total movable and immovable assets as of 2017: ₹1,79,69,000
Criminal cases: 0
Found guilty: 0
Prabhakar Shinde – BJP, Ward 106 (Mulund)
Profession: Business
Total movable and immovable assets as of 2025: ₹17,63,01,181
Total movable and immovable assets as of 2017: ₹57,46,971
Criminal cases: 0
Found guilty: 0
Neil Somaiya – BJP, Ward 107 (Mulund)
Profession: Business
Total movable and immovable assets as of 2025: ₹9,89,21,872
Total movable and immovable assets as of 2017: ₹1,99,37,809
Criminal cases: 0
Found guilty: 0
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