Maharashtra
Shiv Sena UBT Struggles To Hold Ground Amid Wave Of Defections In Konkan & Marathwada; Key Meeting Held At Matoshree

Mumbai: Days after witnessing a wave of defections from its traditional stronghold in Konkan, the Shiv Sena UBT held a crucial meeting in Mumbai with its leaders from Rajapur. The party, facing a threat due to local leaders shifting allegiance to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, is now formulating a strategy to regain lost ground in the region. Meanwhile, the desertion trend has also spread to Marathwada, further weakening the party’s organisational strength.
Key Meeting Held At Matoshree
On Saturday, Sena UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray convened a meeting of key leaders at Matoshree, where former MP Vinayak Raut was assigned the task of identifying new leaders for Rajapur. This move comes in the wake of former MLA Rajan Salvi’s defection to the Shinde faction, along with several other local leaders. Salvi had accused Raut of failing to support him, which he claimed led to his electoral defeat.
During the meeting, Raut reassured the leadership that the party still had strong support in Rajapur and the Konkan region. He emphasized the enduring influence of Balasaheb Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray, stating that the people of Konkan remained loyal. Raut also announced plans for a series of public rallies, beginning in Sangameshwar and extending to other areas of Ratnagiri, including Chiplun and Lanja, as part of the party’s outreach efforts.
Row Around Bhaskar Jadhav’s Recent Remarks
Notably absent from the meeting was Bhaskar Jadhav, the Sena UBT’s only remaining MLA from Konkan. His WhatsApp status further fueled speculation about his dissatisfaction with the party leadership, according to the report. The video he shared depicted goats blindly following their shepherd into a river, accompanied by a Marathi film song.
Jadhav, who has long displayed a photograph of himself with Bal Thackeray as his display picture, commented that leaders should be courageous and determined. His remarks were seen as an indirect critique of Uddhav Thackeray’s leadership, particularly regarding his own sidelining for key political positions.
Jadhav had earlier expressed disappointment over not being chosen as the leader of the opposition in the assembly, arguing that the party leadership should be more considerate of its cadre, especially during turbulent times. However, on Monday, he appeared to tone down his stance, clarifying that his previous comments were not aimed at any specific leader or party.
He stated that despite his 43-year political career, none of the parties he had been associated with had given him what he truly deserved. While he acknowledged Uddhav Thackeray’s approach of allowing discontented leaders to leave, he personally felt that such an attitude was not ideal for the party’s stability.
Party Struggling In Marathwada
Meanwhile, the crisis for the Sena UBT is deepening in Marathwada. Suresh Bankar, who had joined the party to contest the assembly elections from Sillod in Jalna, announced his return to the BJP, citing the interests of his constituents. Another assembly candidate from Aurangabad West, who had unsuccessfully contested against the Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Shirsat, is also rumored to be heading back to the BJP. Similarly, in Hingoli, Rupali Patil, who lost to the BJP’s Tanaji Mutkule, is reportedly unhappy with the party and may switch sides.
A Sena UBT leader from Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar acknowledged that many local leaders, including Shinde and Rupali Patil, had been discontent for months and were likely to join one of the ruling parties. In the recent assembly elections, the party managed to secure only three out of 46 seats in Marathwada’s eight districts, despite the region being considered one of its strongholds. As defections continue, the challenge for Sena UBT is not only to retain its remaining leadership but also to rebuild its base in the face of an emboldened Shinde Sena and BJP.
Education
CBSE pattern in Maha govt schools from academic year 2025-26: Education Minister Bhuse

Mumbai, March 20: Maharashtra Education Minister Dadaji Bhuse announced on Thursday that the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) pattern will be implemented in government schools across the state from the academic year 2025-26.
Textbooks under CBSE will be made available in Marathi by April 1.
The Education Department has issued instructions to the schools governed by the state education boards to implement the CBSE curriculum, the Minister told the Legislative Council.
The minister replied to the question raised by the BJP legislator Prasad Lad. He wanted to know whether the Steering Committee has approved the curriculum plan of the CBSE especially when the implementation of the National Education Policy for schools from class 3 to 12 is underway in the state.
“CBSE pattern will be implemented from the academic year 2025-2026 and the government has taken this decision with an aim of improving the quality of students in the state,” said the minister.
His announcement comes days after the Steering Committee had approved the State Curriculum Framework in relation to the school education department.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had reviewed the work of all the departments including the school education department for the next 100 days.
Accordingly, he had expressed confidence in the meeting of the School Education Department that Maharashtra would once again come to the forefront of school education.
The Chief Minister directed that the Education Department should take steps for quality education.
He has also directed the School Education Department about the adoption of the CBSE pattern in the state government schools by making necessary changes.
Business
Bill Gates will support Maha’s digital governance model, Lakhpati Didi project: CM Fadnavis

Mumbai, March 20: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday said that Microsoft and Gates Foundation will provide support to make Maharashtra a role model in the country in digital governance and right to service, especially when the government has started the use of artificial intelligence (AI).
Also, the Gates Foundation has shown its readiness to participate in the Lakhpati Didi initiative to fulfil the state government’s goal of making 25 lakh women entrepreneurs.
CM Fadnavis said this after meeting Microsoft co-founder, renowned entrepreneur and founder of the Gates Foundation Bill Gates.
The chief minister’s office in a release said that the duo also held a positive discussion on the use of artificial intelligence in health, agriculture and infrastructure.
CM Fadnavis said that as Maharashtra is going through a transformation phase, major projects are underway in infrastructure, agriculture, and health.
“Since there is a shortage of doctors in rural areas, the Gates Foundation should cooperate to provide quality health services and facilities. The Budget has also made provision for the use of AI in the health and agriculture sectors,” he added while giving the example of doubling the production of sugarcane in the Pune district using the technology.
CM Fadnavis told Bill Gates that the state government is trying to ensure that farmers have access to electricity during the day and for this, solar power is being used from 2022-23. From 30 per cent of electricity generation, now up to 52 per cent is being generated through solar, so farmers are getting electricity at a lower cost.
He also shared that there is a plan to make all the electricity feeders solar to provide them with electricity for 24 hours.
The Chief Minister also informed that an Innovation City is being set up in an area of 300 acres in Navi Mumbai.
Bill Gates assured to partner in technical assistance along with financial assistance for the Innovation City and other initiatives, according to the release.
Gates Foundation will provide technical and financial support to the state government to contain dengue in Gadchiroli district.
Bill Gates invited the chief minister to Seattle.
Maharashtra
Ruckus in both houses of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly over mysterious death of Disha Salian

Mumbai: After the mysterious suicide of actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s manager Disha Salian, there was an uproar in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly and Vidhan Sabha and the members demanded an inquiry into the matter. The proceedings of the Upper House were adjourned twice, while the proceedings of the Lower House had to be adjourned once for 10 minutes. Disha Salian’s father had filed a petition in the High Court demanding an inquiry into his daughter’s death, after which the ruling members not only created a ruckus in the House over the matter but also demanded action against the accused involved in it.
In the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, Legislative Assembly member Amit Sattam said that Disha Salian’s father has suspected suicide and the investigation of the case is not yet complete. Amit Sattam has also demanded that the government take necessary steps and take action against the culprits and investigate.
Minister Nitesh Rane said that the Supreme Court’s guiding principle is present in cases of gang rape and atrocities on women, yet action has not been taken in the Disha Salian case. Is there a separate law for the accused? He said that the Supreme Court has directed that the accused in rape and murder cases should be arrested immediately, so why are these three people being protected? They should be arrested and sent to jail.
When Rane was asked why he did not come for investigation even when he was called by the SIT, he said, “I have doubts about the person who was appointed as the ST officer, Chimaji Udayo. I have written a letter to express my views. Why should I go to the same officer with evidence, so that he can give these evidences to the accused and destroy them?” In this matter, Aditya Thackeray said that what should be done if the work of the House is to be stopped on this issue because we are raising questions on the development of Maharashtra and other issues. Where has Maharashtra been taken?
He said that earlier the proceedings of the House were affected on the Aurangzeb issue, during which a minister had to resign. This is being done to suppress all these things, but Maharashtra has sent you to the House to work. The public will have to answer this.
Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam has ordered to complete the investigation of the Disha Salian case and said that the government will not accept any pressure in this matter and he has also demanded to seek the SIT report on this matter as soon as possible.
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