New Delhi / Mumbai

Sources close to Shrikant Shinde, leader of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, said about six “rebel” Sena (UBT) MPs are already in Delhi.

Even as speculation grows over a possible split within the Shiv Sena (UBT), with six of its nine Lok Sabha MPs reportedly preparing to approach Speaker Om Birla for separate recognition, the Uddhav Thackeray-led party has issued a whip directing all its lawmakers to attend a parliamentary party meeting Thursday.

Sena (UBT) leader Anil Desai told reporters in Delhi that all MPs had expressed support for the party at a June 14 meeting, but added that they needed to remain cautious amid reports circulating in the media and on social platforms.

Desai said the party has submitted a memorandum to the Speaker and that the Sena (UBT) parliamentary party would meet Thursday.

However, a clear picture will emerge only after the rebel MPs meet the Lok Sabha Speaker.

Meanwhile, Sena (UBT) MP Bhausahab Wakchaure told reporters he had not been contacted by anyone from the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and would continue to support Uddhav Thackeray.

‘Apna Sapna Money Money’

While Desai said that the Sena (UBT) has faith in its MPs, party leader Sanjay Raut alleged that the lawmakers were being offered Rs. 50 crore to shift sides.

“Apna Sapna Money Money! …The Minimum Support Price is fixed at Rs 50 crore per MP. Rs 15 crore is just the advance. Frankly, these people aren’t even worth Rs 50,000. Their price has only gone up because of the Shiv Sena and TMC brand label,” Raut said on X.

Sources close to Shrikant Shinde, leader of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, said about six “rebel” Sena (UBT) MPs are already in the national capital. They had planned to meet Birla at his house in the morning, but they may now see the Speaker in Parliament later in the day.

“Mostly, two-thirds of the Sena (UBT) will make the shift today, thus not attracting the anti-defection law,” said a source.

However, while Shinde-led Shiv Sena is claiming support of two-thirds of the nine Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha MPs, Arvind Sawant of Sena (UBT) said that democracy had been reduced to a “market”. “Those accused by the Prime Minister of being corrupt are made chief ministers,” he said.

Sawant added that the party had written to the Speaker to save the Constitution. “The party is the party. Individual MPs and MLAs are not the party,” he said, adding that the Sena (UBT) had issued a whip for a meeting Thursday.

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Mumbai, Correspondent

Shiv Sena (Thackeray faction) chief Uddhav Thackeray cautioned party workers that if genuine voters fail to remain vigilant during polling, bogus votes could establish power, altering the very face of Mumbai over the next five years.

Thackeray was speaking at the Malvani Festival, organized by the Shiv Sena branch at Magathane. Although the event was cultural in nature, his presence lent it a strong political tone.

Prayers to Vetoba Deity

Referring to the Konkan tradition, Thackeray said he prayed to Lord Vetoba, recalling, “In 2012, during the municipal elections, I prayed here, and Suresh Prabhu became mayor. I have prayed again now—there’s no need to say what will happen next. Even if others don’t listen, God does.”

‘Marathi People Never Step Back from a Fight’

He praised long-time party workers, saying, “Many of our old Shiv Sainiks are still striving for the cause of Shiv Sena, Maharashtra, and the Marathi people. When faced with a challenge, the Marathi person never retreats. If anyone provokes us, we can’t help but take them head-on.”

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By Rahi Bhide

The Maharashtra government is now facing the consequences of how burdensome the promise of reservation can be. The storm led by Manoj Jarange has hit Mumbai, triggering political chaos. Leaders like Devendra Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde, and Ajit Pawar are in power, and earlier promises to grant reservation to the Maratha community are now under pressure. If the government provides reservation following the community’s aggressive stance, it risks alienating OBC votes. Jarange insists that the Maratha and OBC categories are one and the same, prompting the government to explore ways to resolve this impasse.

Manoj Jarange Patil, the face of the Maratha reservation movement, began an indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan, Mumbai, on Friday. He warned that he would not back down until the government meets the community’s demands. His ultimatum — “Either give reservation or shoot me or let me die on the hunger strike” — is becoming a major challenge for the Mahayuti government led by Fadnavis. Jarange demands that all Marathas be issued Kunbi certificates under the OBC category.

After the Maratha community took to the streets under Jarange’s leadership, the OBC community also began demonstrations, fearing the division of their quota. There’s a perception that OBCs are being supported by Fadnavis, fueling tensions. Jarange and other agitators are now targeting him, while Fadnavis insists that his cabinet’s subcommittee is working on a constitutional solution.

Jarange has led this movement for years and calls this his “last battle,” vowing not to step back until Marathas are included under the OBC quota. Aggressive remarks by leaders like Adv. Gunaratna Sadavarte, Prof. Lakshman Hake, and Gopichand Padalkar have further inflamed sentiments, complicating the situation. The government’s image is at stake as such rhetoric escalates conflicts.

Jarange’s demand for all Marathas to be issued OBC certificates cannot be ignored — nearly 5.4 million people have already received Kunbi certificates due to his movement. The committee led by Justice Sandeep Shinde reviewed historical records, including the Hyderabad Gazette, and verified community ties like intermarriage to support these claims.

Currently, OBCs constitute 52% of the population with a 27% quota. If 30–35% of Marathas are added, it could leave 85% of the population fighting for the same quota, intensifying opposition. This has led to a growing divide between the Maratha and OBC communities.

Interestingly, the Muslim community has also demanded reservation for Marathas, recalling recommendations like the Rane Committee’s proposal for a 5% quota, which was never implemented. Similarly, Fadnavis had promised inclusion of the Dhangar community among tribals but failed to deliver even after two terms.

With various communities unsettled, the government faces a daunting challenge in navigating social and political complexities. The Maratha community, making up nearly 33% of Maharashtra’s population and facing socio-economic disadvantages, seeks fair representation in jobs and education.

The movement under Jarange has presented multiple hurdles for the government. Besides anger stemming from past incidents like the Kopardi rape-murder case, opposition from the OBC community and support from rival parties like Congress, NCP (Sharad Pawar), and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray) is putting additional pressure on the ruling alliance.

The Maharashtra government’s handling of the Maratha reservation demand could shape its political future, as resolving this sensitive issue requires careful negotiation and consensus-building.

Navi Mumbai, July 7, 2025

Veteran actor and Padma Shri awardee Ashok Saraf recently praised Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, calling him a "remarkable art lover". Saraf made this statement while speaking at the ‘Kalasenvak Sanman Sohala’ (Art Service Felicitation Ceremony), jointly organized by the Marathi Natya Parishad, Navi Mumbai branch, and the Bal Rangabhoomi Parishad.

During the event, Ashok Saraf and renowned calligrapher Padma Shri Achyut Palav were specially honored for their contributions to art and culture. While expressing his thoughts after receiving the award, Saraf acknowledged Shinde's deep appreciation for the arts and his continuous support for cultural initiatives.

“Eknath Shinde is a true connoisseur of art,” said Saraf, highlighting the Deputy CM’s consistent encouragement toward the Marathi theatre and cultural ecosystem.

The event saw participation from several notable figures from the art and theatre world, celebrating the legacy and contributions of these cultural icons.

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Mumbai : Preparations for the local body elections have started in the state. It seems that all the parties in the state have started preparing vigorously for these elections. The Bharatiya Janata Party has started major preparations for the elections of major municipal corporations in Mumbai, Thane and Pune. Notably, this time, information has come to light that the BJP will contest these municipal elections on its own. The reason for this is that Union Home Minister Amit Shah is on a three-day tour of Maharashtra. Notably, he is on a tour of Vidarbha for all these three days. But even in this, he has indicated that he will contest these three municipal elections on his own.

Amit Shah, who is on a three-day tour of Maharashtra, reviewed the local body elections in the state. This time, it is said that he has given instructions to investigate the possibility of contesting the Mumbai, Thane and Pune municipal elections on his own. On the other hand, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has great power in Mumbai and Thane. While Ajit Pawar also has power in Pune. Therefore, discussions have started in political circles about whether the BJP can contest on its own here.

Meanwhile, yesterday (May 27) Eknath Shinde met Amit Shah at the Sahyadri Guest House. At this time, it has come to light that Eknath Shinde has asked for 107 seats in the Mumbai Municipal Corporation. There are currently 227 wards in Mumbai. Eknath Shinde has claimed that there are candidates from the Shinde group in 107 of them. Although Amit Shah has listened to Eknath Shinde's side, it has come to light that he has not given any concrete assurance.

Amit Shah, who is on a tour of Maharashtra, has reviewed the local body elections. He has also given instructions to party leaders to contest on their own in municipalities like Mumbai, Pune and Thane. But now the strength of the BJP has increased due to the fall of two factions of the Shiv Sena. In 2017, the BJP and Shiv Sena had entered the fray separately in the Mumbai Municipal Corporation elections. At that time, the BJP had won 92 seats, while the Shiv Sena had won 84 seats. However, in the current situation, the comparative strength of the BJP is seen to have increased due to the division of the Shiv Sena into two factions. That is why there are indications that the option of fighting on its own is being seriously examined by the BJP.

In the last three years, giving a jolt to the Thackeray faction, many former corporators of Mumbai have joined the party led by Eknath Shinde. More than a hundred former corporators who won in the municipal elections of 2012 and 2017 are currently in the Shinde faction. They have left the Thackeray faction on the assurance that they will get a chance to contest in the municipal elections. Therefore, it is known that Dy. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has taken the stance that these corporators cannot be upset and the promise given must be kept.

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Rohini Khadse Criticized Devendra Fadnavis: Yesterday at Chaityabhoomi, a program was held on the occasion of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar's birth anniversary. On this occasion, speeches were made by Governor C. P. Radhakrishnan and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. However, it came to light that the speeches of Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar were omitted from this program. It was seen. Officials informed that these speeches were omitted the previous night. On this, Rohini Khadse, the women's state president of the Nationalist Congress Party Sharad Pawar Party, has attacked the Mahayuti government.

Rohini Khadse has made a post on the social media platform. He said that because Dada was getting tired, first the files in the ministry were sent from Dada to Bhai. Then he appointed his close officer (Maharashtra Politics) as the economic advisor to keep an eye on the finance department. Then to clip Bhai's wings, he discriminated between the posts of Nidhi Madhyamik and Guardian Minister.

Again, Dada was left out at Raigad and Bhai was given a chance to speak. However, Bhai went 2 steps further… When Mota Bhai came to Mumbai, he went alone and had a meeting for 15 minutes… Then he realized that Bhai was also taking things too far… Then to bring both of them to their place, he cut off Bhai - Dada's speech at Chaityabhoomi … Overall, what…. So how is the government running? Huge tug-of-war, huge tug-of-war… At each other's feet… Today or tomorrow, Khadse has also predicted that it will stumble.

Meanwhile, Rohini Khadse has shared the copy of the Governor's program issued by Raj Bhavan on social media. The mention of the speeches of both the Deputy Chief Ministers is clearly visible in this copy.

Rohini Khadse has said that Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde are being sidelined. For this, the speeches of both of them at Chaityabhoomi were cut short. Khadse has also said that the government is running with a lot of tug-of-war and tug-of-war. Khadse has made a scathing remark that the Mahayuti will stumble over each other.

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Pune : Union Minister of State for Social Justice Ramdas Athawale said here on Saturday that the Mahayuti government under the leadership of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis should fulfill the promise made by Eknath Shinde to give Rs 2,100 instead of Rs 1,500 to their beloved sisters when he was the Chief Minister. 

Talking to reporters here today Athawale said although the Ladki Bahin scheme is putting some pressure on the government exchequer, the state government should fulfill its promise to provide more funds to the Ladki Bahin despite bearing the pressure.

He said that according to the financial report of the current financial year, it is seen that the expenditure of the state is more than the revenue income. However, there is a possibility of a significant increase in the revenue income of the state in the coming years. According to the agreements signed with various industries in Davos, an investment of Rs 15 lakh 90 thousand crore will come to the state. He expressed confidence that Chief Minister Fadnavis and the cabinet will definitely improve the financial situation of the state by taking some other measures. 

Some decisions of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde have been canceled by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Due to this, an atmosphere of tension is being created between Shinde and Fadnavis. In fact, during Shinde's tenure as Chief Minister and in the current government led by Fadnavis, the Chief Minister and both the Deputy Chief Ministers discuss and take any decision together, he suggests.

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Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has said that it is a big responsibility to take charge of the NCP away from the shadow of his uncle and NCP founder Sharad Pawar after the split. In a conversation during his 'Jan Samman Yatra', Ajit Pawar said that preparations are underway for the Maharashtra Assembly elections and seat sharing talks between the ruling alliance partners NCP, Shiv Sena and BJP are progressing positively. It is worth noting that Ajit Pawar and some MLAs close to him broke ties with Sharad Pawar's party in July last year and joined the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance. Later the party was named NCP and Ajit Pawar also got the election symbol. The Sharad Pawar-led NCP SP is part of the opposition alliance Maha Vikas Aghadi. Apart from Sharad Pawar's NCP SP, the Maha Vikas Aghadi also includes Congress and Shiv Sena UBT.

Seat sharing talks underway

Speaking about seat sharing for the upcoming state elections, Pawar said he has spoken to Shiv Sena leader Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis two-three times and the talks are progressing in a positive manner. On the dates for elections in Maharashtra, Ajit Pawar said it is the Election Commission's job to decide. Ajit Pawar advocated an all-party meeting to discuss the Maratha community's demand for reservation in education and government jobs. Ajit Pawar said opposition parties cannot be ignored as they also represent the people.

Pawar said, 'Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had called an all-party meeting to discuss the reservation issue, but the opposition kept away from the meeting. I don't know if the boycott was intentional or not. He said time will be sought from them (the opposition) again.' Lauding the Mukhyamantri Ladki Behen Yojana, Pawar said the scheme will be launched on August 17 at a programme in Balewadi where beneficiaries will receive money for July and August. CM Shinde and Deputy CM Fadnavis will attend the programme.

What did Ajit Pawar say on reuniting with Sharad Pawar

On being asked about the mistake he referred to in connection with the fight between Supriya Sule and his wife Sunetra in the Baramati Lok Sabha elections was political or personal, he said, "There is nothing intentional in speaking about a mistake. I am the master of my mind. I speak my mind. I am a simple person." He refused to speak on the rift in the Pawar family (due to the NCP split). When asked about the possibility of reuniting with Sharad Pawar, the Deputy Chief Minister said, "I will just talk about my work and vision for Maharashtra. We will ask people to give us a chance again so that we can bring more money for the state." The opposition is always negative.

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