Maharashtra
Thackeray-Shinde groups’ tug-of-war for Shiv Sena Dassehra Rally at Shivaji Park
The historic Shivaji Park ground here has become the new bone of contention between the two rival Shiv Sena factions, both clamouring to hold the annual calendar event, the Dassehra Rally.
The Shiv Sena President and ex-Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray is facing competition from the rebel faction led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and even the Raj Thacekray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena is toying with the idea of a rally at the Shivaji Park.
The annual mega-rally held on Vijaya Dashami or Dassehra Day each year is expected to be a litmus test on the Shiv Sena and the Shinde Group’s claims that it is the ‘real Shiv Sena’.
Both the factions have applied to the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for permission to hold the public rally there on October 5.
Rajya Sabha MP Anil Desai, close to Thackeray has sought permission on behalf of the Shiv Sena, while Dadar MLA Sada Sarvankar has submitted an application on behalf of the Shinde Group.
When asked about it, CM Shinde skirted a direct reply and said: “There is still time now… We are now celebrating Ganeshotsav and Anant Chaturdashi, then Navratri and Dassehra will come… How can I predict everything now? You will come to know in some more time.”
Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar said while anybody has the right to hold their rally at Shivaji Park, he urged Shinde “to avoid a confrontationist approach” with the Opposition.
Shiv Sena’s fomer mayor Kishori Pednekar slammed the turncoats, claiming they are apparently suffering from a ‘Ghajini-syndrome’ – referring to the 2008 blockbuster starring Aamir Khan in which he suffers a rare type of amnesia.
“They are trying to erase history. They have forgotten it is the Shiv Sena which started the tradition and has been holding the annual Dassehra rallies at Shivaji Park from 1966. They are attempting to fuel a law-and-order situation,” said Pednekar agitatedly.
Hoping to cash in on the sentiments, MNS Spokesperson Sandip Deshpande said on Saturday that many party activists want Raj Thackeray to address the rally this year, but said the final call would come only from the party chieftain.
NCP’s Leader of Opposition Ajit Pawar said since they (Shinde Group) have power, they will try everything to get the Shivaji Park for their rally, and it is possible both (Thackeray and Shinde) may be allotted the venue for back-to-back rallies.
Shiv Sena’s Spokesperson Dr. Manisha Kayande, senior leader Ambadas Danve and others have slammed the Shinde Group for attempting to hijack the traditions initiated by the late Balasaheb Thaceray.
Founding the Shiv Sena on June 19, 1966, Balasaheb Thackeray had held his maiden Dassehra Rally at Shivaji Park – also known as the ‘Cradle of Indian Cricket’ – and since then it became his signature event.
Since the past 55 years, it has remained an unbroken tradition – except twice, in 2006 owing to torrential rains and in 2009 as it clashed with the Assembly elections – and a ‘must attend’ for all Shiv Sainiks in the state.
After Balasaheb Thackeray passed away on November 17, 2012, he was accorded a public funeral with his last rites performed in a corner of his favourite venue with several lakhs in attendance.
In 2020, the Dassehra rally was held online and in 2021, it was at the Shanmukhananda Hall, addressed by the former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray owing to the coronavirus pandemic restrictions, but this time he has cracked the whip on the Shiv Sena to make full preparations at Shivaji Park — a stone’s throw away from Sena Bhavan, the party landmark headquarters since 1977.
Crime
Sensational Incident in Mumbai: Man Found with Knife Lodged in His Head Outside Sion Hospital ICU; Allegations of Medical Negligence

A shocking incident has emerged from Mumbai, creating panic among patients and their relatives within a hospital premises.
According to reports, a man was seen standing outside the Trauma Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital (Sion Hospital) with a knife lodged in his head. The horrifying sight caused chaos and fear among those present at the scene.
Eyewitnesses stated that the man was critically injured but did not receive immediate emergency medical attention for some time. Allegedly, he had come to the hospital seeking treatment, but no doctor attended to him promptly as an emergency case, and he was reportedly ignored.
After the incident was reported, hospital authorities and the police arrived at the spot. The injured man was later admitted to the ICU, where his condition remains critical, and doctors are making efforts to save his life.
This incident has raised serious questions about the functioning of the hospital administration. Patients and their families have alleged that if timely treatment had been provided, the situation might not have become so severe.
Maharashtra
West Bengal Assembly Election Results 2026: ‘BJP Win Will Curb Infiltration, Terror,’ Says CM Devendra Fadnavis; Credits PM Modi For Surge

Mumbai, May 4: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday said the BJP’s victory in West Bengal would help save the country from infiltrators and terrorist activities, asserting that people had reposed strong faith in the party and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Citing the BJP’s performance in Bengal, Assam, and Puducherry, he said 78 per cent of the country is now ruled by the BJP-led NDA.
The BJP has won six seats and is leading in 196 seats, while the TMC has bagged one as the counting of votes in the West Bengal Assembly polls progressed, indicating a saffron surge in the state.
“The victory in West Bengal will save our country from infiltrators, terrorist activities, and attacks. The way the Mamata Banerjee-led government functioned would ensure infiltrators from Bangladesh and send them across the country. These people would take away our jobs and pose a threat to our security, sovereignty, and unity,” Fadnavis said.
Referring to his campaign during the Bengal polls, Fadnavis said he was told that locals considered the BJP an outsider party, to which he responded that the party was founded by Shyama Prasad Mukherjee and had deep roots.
He claimed the BJP has secured a two-thirds majority in the state, reflecting people’s trust in Modi.
Fadnavis said there was a growing trust factor for the BJP and PM Modi across states such as West Bengal, Puducherry, and Assam, adding that the party would bring West Bengal out of “bad rule”.
He criticised the erstwhile governments of Congress and the Left, calling the last 15 years under Banerjee the “worst of all” tenures.
He said West Bengal, once the country’s financial hub with Kolkata as its economic capital, had declined due to the previous governments.
“Of the total FDI which our country receives, West Bengal could not even attract half a per cent,” Fadnavis said.
The Chief Minister said West Bengal was once highly industrialised, but nearly 7,000 major industries had left, turning it into a “jungle raj”.
He credited PM Modi’s vision and infrastructure push, including roads and metro projects, for convincing voters about real transformation.
Fadnavis hailed Union Home Minister Amit Shah as a master strategist and also lauded BJP president Nitin Nabin for ensuring a major victory.
He said the Bengal victory was dedicated to BJP workers who were attacked or killed after the previous assembly elections, asserting that the party’s “chariot of victory cannot be stopped”.
Drawing a comparison with Assam, Fadnavis said infiltration and terror activities had stopped after the BJP came to power and that the north-eastern state is now contributing significantly to growth.
“Similarly, West Bengal will be seen as a growth partner of the country in the coming days,” he added.
Fadnavis also thanked the Election Commission for conducting peaceful polls, claiming that no lives were lost.
Maharashtra
Action taken against Dhulia Muslim settlement is totally unjust, Abu Asim Azmi writes to Minority Commission requesting a stay on the action and notice

Mumbai: Maharashtra Samajwadi Party leader Abu Asim Azmi has demanded a stay on the notice of illegal eviction of houses from Muslim settlements in Dhuleya and demolition action from Minorities Commission Chairman Pyare Khan. Anhusan said that it is completely unjust to evict 275 Muslims in Dhuleya, while the government had also issued a GR for their rehabilitation through the Prime Minister’s Awas Yojana. This family had been living in Dhuleya Lal Sardarnagar Ant Batti area for 40 to 50 years, but the administration has suddenly evicted them by taking demolition action. They were illegally served a notice on April 21. The state government had also prepared a plan for the rehabilitation of the residents under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana in connection with the GR of March 26, 2026. The sudden action of the administration is inhuman and illegal, therefore, the Minorities Commission is requested to impose a stay order on this illegal notice and provide justice to the residents. In this regard, Advocate Zubair of Dhule and the residents have requested that they get justice and a stay be imposed on the illegal demolition notice. Abu Asim Azmi has sent a letter to the Minorities Commission on the demand of the residents, demanding a stay and a stay on the action.
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