Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) on Monday accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of orchestrating a large-scale “unopposed election scam” in Maharashtra’s local body polls, using “puppeteers” like Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar as a metaphor for those working behind the scenes to fix outcomes.

It claims that a web of uncontested victories, first alleged in the context of Delhi and Bihar, is now being replicated across districts and talukas in Maharashtra, raising questions about the state of democracy and the Constitution. In a scathing editorial in party mouthpiece Saamana, the Thackeray camp claimed repeated reliance on threats, money and administrative misuse to engineer unopposed wins, shows a fear of genuine electoral competition that is causing the “visible collapse” of all pillars of democracy.

“If such trends continue in a politically significant state like Maharashtra, the moral authority of the Constitution and the credibility of elections will be gravely damaged, even as the BJP publicly projects the local body polls as a prestige battle to demonstrate its dominance,” it warns.

The editorial accuses the BJP of systematically ensuring that relatives of party leaders are elected unopposed to municipal corporations, Nagar Parishads and Nagar Panchayats by forcing Opposition candidates to withdraw through threats, pressure and inducements.

It cites alleged instances in Jamner, Daund and a Nagar Parishad in Solapur district, where public anger reportedly spilled over into violence, and claims that in places like Chikhaldara and Daund, family members of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and minister Jaykumar Rawal have secured posts without facing a contest, mirroring wider Opposition complaints that BJP-linked relatives are winning unopposed in the ongoing local body elections.

According to the editorial, this pattern is part of a broader “money-and-power-driven” strategy in which BJP leaders openly boast of having “bags of money” to fight elections and allegedly signal that government control will take care of expenses, while the election authorities remain passive.

“From Gram Panchayats to housing societies and cooperative banks, BJP is trying to entrench dominance by deploying financial clout and manipulating institutions, turning itself into an ‘election-obsessed’ organisation more focussed on securing and managing victories than respecting democratic norms. Key decisions on whose nomination forms to accept or reject, and who should be left unopposed, are effectively taken before formal scrutiny, with money purportedly changing hands even in uncontested seats for officials and local intermediaries,” says the editorial.

Drawing a link to its earlier criticism of the Bihar Assembly election outcome as a “scam” driven by a pre-decided formula, it suggests that a similar playbook is now being used in Maharashtra’s civic polls through what it calls “Gyanesh Kumar-type operators” embedded in the system.

Mumbai: Veteran Bollywood legend Dharmendra, fondly known as the “He-Man” of Indian cinema, passed away today at his residence in Mumbai at the age of 89. His departure marks the end of an era in Hindi film history, leaving behind millions of grieving fans and admirers.

Dharmendra had been unwell for the past several days. He faced respiratory complications and other age-related health issues, for which he was hospitalized briefly before being shifted back home. Earlier today, a sense of concern arose as activity increased outside his residence, and soon after, the heartbreaking news of his demise was confirmed.

With a career spanning more than six decades, Dharmendra made his debut in the early 1960s and went on to become one of the most admired and celebrated actors of Indian cinema. From romance to comedy, drama to action, he mastered every genre and delivered countless memorable performances. His screen presence, charm, and natural acting style earned him a permanent place in the hearts of audiences.

The film industry is in deep mourning. Actors, filmmakers, and fans across the country are paying tribute, remembering him as a powerhouse performer and a humble human being. Many are calling his passing “the end of an era,” acknowledging that his contribution to cinema is both historic and irreplaceable.

Beyond films, Dharmendra was a devoted family man—deeply connected with his children, grandchildren, and loved ones. His simplicity, warmth, and affectionate nature made him beloved not just onscreen but also in his personal life.

His passing leaves a void that cannot be filled. Yet, his legacy will continue to shine through his timeless films, unforgettable characters, and the memories he gifted to generations of viewers.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and pray that his soul rests in peace.

Mumbai: In the Kalyan student suicide case, the Thane police have intensified the probe and questioned about 10 commuters who were in the same coach of the Mumbai local train; however, no leads have been currently found in the case. The 19-year-old, Arnav Khaire, was allegedly assaulted and threatened by fellow passengers on a Mumbai local train following a Hindi-Marathi language-based argument. Arnav went into severe mental stress, emotional breakdown and later died by suicide at his residence.

When the police questioned the commuters of the same coach of the CSMT-Ambernath train, many claimed that they did not come across any conflict or assault, ‘citing peak-hour crowding.’ In addition to this, the police sources told Media that the CCTV footage was also examined with the help of Kalyan Government Railway Police (GRP) to trace multiple passengers who boarded the local train from Ambernath to Thane. Senior inspector Hemant Gurav of Kolsewadi police station told the daily, “We are still trying to identify other passengers in the coach.”

Apart from speaking to commuters, the report added that the police also sent the victim’s mobile phone to forensic lab to retrieve messages, voice recordings, videos, or calls he made before his death.

Earlier on November 22, the Kolsewadi Police registered a case of abetment to suicide against the unknown individuals who assaulted Arnav inside a local train. The FIR clearly stated that the attack played a crucial role in pushing Arnav towards suicide.

On November 22, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde spoke with Arnav’s family and assured the family of full government support, immediate investigation, and justice.  In addition to this, the Deputy CM assured that until the linguistic extremists responsible for Arnav’s suicide are punished, “we will not remain silent.”