The Shiv Sena (UBT) on Monday launched a sharp attack on the Centre over fuel and gas price hikes, terming them a “cruel Diwali gift” for citizens already struggling with drought and inflation.

In an editorial in the party mouthpiece Saamana, the Thackeray camp accused the government of driving ordinary citizens into severe financial distress while Maharashtra grapples with drought and rampant inflation.

The editorial highlighted the grim reality facing common citizens and farmers across Maharashtra. “Almost the entire state of Maharashtra is scorched by a severe drought. Farmers have no crops in their fields, and common citizens have no money left in their pockets. People were holding onto their modest savings, hoping to bring a little sweetness into their children’s lives during Diwali. However, the government’s hike in CNG and Commercial LPG rates has poured cold water over those last remaining hopes,” claimed the editorial.

The editorial asked, “Do the rulers want the public to refrain from celebrating Diwali altogether this year?”

The editorial detailed the exact economic burdens imposed on the common man. “In the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), CNG prices have been increased by Re 1 per kg — marking the 6th price hike in the last 6 months alone. Commercial LPG cylinder prices have been raised by Rs 10,” it said.

The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena mocked the government’s defence of keeping domestic cylinder prices unchanged, pointing out that hiking commercial gas directly increases the cost of dining out, hotel food, restaurant meals, and ready-made Diwali snacks and sweets brought home. It recalled that in May, commercial cylinder prices were hiked by a massive Rs 1,000. The token reduction that followed was merely a farce, as prices are rising again.

The editorial highlighted the compounding economic strain from global and domestic factors. “Driven by drought conditions and the Iran-America conflict, food inflation has hit a staggering 7.74 per cent. Prices of daily staples, pulses, and grains have escalated to the point where they feel like luxury items. The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) decision to raise the repo rate has pushed up interest rates, leading to higher EMIs across all personal loans and mortgages,” remarked the editorial.

Targeting the political leadership, the Thackeray camp criticised the hypocrisy of government rhetoric. “Fuel and commodity prices were artificially held back for political self-interest until elections in five states concluded. Now, the ‘horse of inflation’ has broken loose. Rulers who boasted about reining in fuel prices despite global Gulf War tensions have turned completely unbridled regarding inflation post-elections. While the Prime Minister urges citizens to practice austerity, the government creates a system that leaves no money in the public’s pockets,” it alleged.

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Sunday urged people to join the INDIA bloc’s ‘Chalo Dilli’ march in the national capital, calling for public participation in the protest against alleged electoral irregularities and demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.

In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi appealed to people to gather at Connaught Place and march together towards Ramlila Maidan, where the opposition alliance is organising a major rally.

“Delhi, get ready! Save the Vote, Save the Nation. Come to Connaught Place, let’s march together. Or meet directly at Ramlila Maidan – but you must come. Today | 12 PM,” he posted.

The INDIA bloc has expressed optimism about public participation in the rally, asserting that the protest would witness “historic participation” extending beyond party workers.

Earlier in the day, while speaking to media, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut described the gathering as a “mega rally” and said the opposition would continue its agitation until the Chief Election Commissioner stepped down.

“They (the government) may be under the assumption that the agitation has ended, but we won’t let them go until Gyanesh Kumar resigns,” he asserted.

Raut also reiterated Rahul Gandhi’s allegation that people were being stopped from participating in the rally.

The INDIA bloc is organising the large-scale gathering at Ramlila Maidan to protest alleged electoral irregularities, oppose the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and demand the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.

The opposition alliance expects a major show of strength, as leaders from constituent parties, workers, and student groups have started to gather at the venue. The protest comes amid allegations by opposition parties of irregularities in the voter list revision process being undertaken by the Election Commission of India (ECI).

Meanwhile, extensive security arrangements have been put in place across New Delhi and Central Delhi ahead of the rally. Additional personnel from the Rapid Action Force (RAF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), along with Delhi Police personnel, have been deployed around Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Marg.

Delhi Police have also tightened security across the national capital. Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) is in force across Delhi districts, and gatherings have been prohibited at key locations, including Jantar Mantar and the Election Commission office.

A Mumbai court on Saturday sent Amar, the 12th accused arrested from Haryana’s Sonipat in connection with the firing incident on Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff, to police custody till November 6.

On Thursday, a special Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) court had sent 11 other accused arrested in connection with the firing on Shroff’s car to police custody till November 6.

The latest accused was arrested from Rohna village in Sonipat.

Earlier in the day, the Mumbai Police had produced Amar before a court, which sent him to police custody until November 6.

According to officials, Amar is accused of having transferred money, allegedly used in the commission of the crime, online. The funds were reportedly used for various expenses, including the purchase of a motorcycle and booking hotel rooms linked to the case.

According to the preliminary investigation, Amar is a friend and neighbour of Kunal, who was arrested earlier in the case. Police investigations have revealed that Kunal allegedly transferred Rs 40,000 to Amar’s bank account.

Amar subsequently transferred Rs 12,000 to Radha’s bank account, another accused arrested earlier, allegedly on Kunal’s instructions.

The Mumbai Police are investigating these financial transactions to establish the purpose of the transfers and determine the connections between the accused. The money trail is being examined as part of the wider investigation into the firing incident.

Amar, who studied up to Class 10, works at a supplements shop. His parents reportedly earn their livelihood through daily-wage labour.

Meanwhile, Amar’s family has claimed that he is innocent and alleged that he has been falsely implicated in the case.

With nine of the 12 arrested accused reportedly belonging to Sonipat, the district has emerged as a key focus of the Mumbai Police investigation.

The police are examining the financial dealings and personal connections among the accused to establish the sequence of events and identify the roles played by individual suspects.