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Maharashtra

Maharashtra, one of India's most economically significant and politically influential states, presents a dynamic and complex political landscape. Situated in the western part of the country, it is not only the financial hub of India, home to Mumbai, but also a state with rich cultural and historical significance. The political profile of Maharashtra is characterized by a diverse electorate, a mix of urban and rural dynamics, and the presence of both national and regional political parties.

The two dominant regional parties in Maharashtra are the Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), alongside the prominence of national parties such as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress (INC). The Shiv Sena, founded by Bal Thackeray in 1966, initially focused on the interests of the Marathi-speaking population and espoused a Marathi identity. Over the years, it has evolved to embrace broader Hindu nationalist themes, aligning closely with the BJP, especially on ideological fronts.

The NCP, a splinter group from the INC, was founded by Sharad Pawar in 1999 and has played a crucial role in the state's politics, often being a kingmaker in government formations. The INC, with its long history of leadership in the state, continues to be a significant player, although its influence has waned in recent years due to the rise of the BJP and internal party challenges.

Maharashtra's politics have been marked by coalition governments, with alliances often shifting based on political convenience rather than ideological alignment. The state has witnessed significant political turmoil and realignments, notably the formation of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in 2019, an unexpected alliance between the Shiv Sena, NCP, and INC, showcasing the fluid nature of Maharashtra's political alliances.

The state faces numerous challenges, including urban-rural disparities, agricultural distress, and infrastructure development. Maharashtra's political parties and leaders are continually navigating these issues, striving to balance development needs with the aspirations of a diverse and demanding electorate.

MAHARASHTRA NEWS

Maharashtra launches inspections in sweet shops to check food adulteration ahead of Diwali

October 04, 2025 4:09 pm

According to Minister Narhari Zirwal, the campaign titled ‘Festival of Maharashtra – Commitment to Food Safety' covers a wide variety of food products, including milk, khoya, ghee, edible oils, sweets, dry fruits, and chocolates.

Single-window access, cashless treatment: how IPHSA aims to streamline patient care in Mumbai’s civic hospitals

October 04, 2025 1:53 pm

The BMC’s Integrated Patients Healthcare Schemes Assistance (IPHSA) is a technology-driven platform for patient eligibility checks, enrolment in public healthcare schemes, and claim settlement.

FB friendship ends on bitter note: Pune police look out for woman accused of extorting sweet shop owner

October 04, 2025 11:45 am

The woman from Sangli district allegedly extorted nearly Rs 1 lakh from the man who runs a sweet shop on Laxmi Road.

Bihar surpasses Maharashtra, joins UP on top in Vande Bharat train count – Full list

October 02, 2025 3:39 pm

Vande Bharat trains in India: Developed by Chennai-based Integral Coach Factory (ICF), these semi-high-speed trains are running with full occupancies. 

Maharashtra’s sugar mills to start operations from November 1

October 01, 2025 11:17 am

Maharashtra is expected to crush 1,000 lakh tonnes of sugarcane and manufacture around 115-118 lakh tonnes of sugar this season.

Maharashtra frames Cancer Cure policy; three tier structure to treat disease

September 30, 2025 10:33 pm

The MAHACARE Foundation will be established to provide manpower, funding and guidance to these L-2, L-3 centers as per the requirement.

NCRB data 2023: Maharashtra’s crime rate higher than national avg, 9th among states

September 30, 2025 9:50 pm

Maharashtra, with 5.96 lakh crimes registered in 2023, was second only to Uttar Pradesh when it came to the total number of crimes registered.

Maharashtra cabinet clears GCC policy; aims at 4 lakh jobs

September 30, 2025 9:18 pm

The policy targets Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities such as Nashik, Nagpur and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, creating new economic hubs and promotion of balanced technology driven growth.

‘Requested flood relief from Centre’: Devendra Fadnavis says over 60 lakh hectares of land affected, final aid soon

September 30, 2025 3:14 pm

CM Devendra Fadnavis reiterated that the term ‘wet drought’ does not exist officially and assured that all facilities extended in case of a natural calamity would be extended to flood-hit farmers and others.

Mumbai tops in online cheating, ranks second in cyber stalking and bullying of women: NCRB Report 2023

September 30, 2025 4:33 pm

Mumbai had the highest number of pending cybercrime cases among 19 metropolitan cities, according to the NCRB report for 2023.

MAHARASHTRA PHOTOS

Devendra Fadnavis takes oath as Maharashtra CM: From Mukesh Ambani to Salman Khan, here’s who all attended the ceremony

December 05, 2024 10:53 pm

The ceremony was held at Azad Maidan in Mumbai and marked a new chapter for the Mahayuti alliance.

On board Mumbai local trains: Lord Ganesha

September 02, 2024 2:34 pm

The Ganesh Visarjan for 2024 is scheduled for Tuesday, September 17th, before which people travel across Maharashtra to bring homes their Ganesha idols ahead of the 10-day festival.

Maharashtra SSC Results 2024: Websites to check Class MSBSHSE 10th result dates

May 26, 2024 1:29 pm

Maharashtra SSC Results 2024 Date: Once released, Maharashtra board Class 10 students can check results from the official website once declared, mahresult.nic.in.

'MLAs come, and can go anywhere': NCP chief Sharad Pawar's party meeting in pictures

July 07, 2023 7:42 am

NCP patriarch Sharad Pawar convened a working committee meeting of the party Wednesday which was attended by 16 MLAs and office-bearers of the party’s frontal cells.

From Ajit Pawar’s swearing-in, to Sharad Pawar’s show of strength: How the Maharashtra crisis unfolded in pictures

July 03, 2023 5:02 pm

On Monday, Ajit Pawar took oath as Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra. He will be sharing the post with BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis.

On first day of Ganesh festival, over 30,000 Ganpati idols immersed in Maharashtra

September 02, 2022 12:28 pm

There are five days for immersion in the ten-day long Ganpati festival.

Heavy rainfall in parts of Gujarat and Maharashtra results in flood-like situation

July 14, 2022 7:28 pm

In total. at least 60 deaths have been confirmed due to the floods.

MAHARASHTRA VIDEOS

Eye for Detail 15: The importance of Kartarpur corridor, Implant Files and the Maratha reservation

June 22, 2020 6:09 pm

This week we look at the importance of the Kartarpur corridor between India and Pakistan, why you should pay attention to the revelations from Implant Files and what the Maratha reservation could lead to.

On Day 2, protesting farmers march towards Mumbai’s Azad Maidan

June 22, 2020 6:10 pm

Thousands of farmers and tribals began a march from different parts of Maharashtra to culminate at Azad Maidan and ask for some of their long-pending demands to be met.

What the thousands of farmers protesting in Maharashtra are demanding

June 22, 2020 6:10 pm

Around 30,000 farmers and tribals are marching from Thane to Azad Maidan in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Here’s a list of their long-pending demands.

VIRAL: Video of tiger chasing tourists in Maharashtra goes viral

June 22, 2020 6:11 pm

The video showing a tigress chasing a tourist vehicle in the buffer zone of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve( TATR) in Chandrapur district set alarm bells ringing in TATR administration. The road where it happened has been closed for safari rides.

What tiger census tells us about the population in India: News in Numbers

June 22, 2020 6:11 pm

The killing of T1 or Avni, the tiger, in Maharashtra has led to much controversy. It’s worth looking at what the numbers in the tiger census tell us.

Why the Maratha agitation keeps coming back

June 22, 2020 6:20 pm

The Marathas, a third of the population of Maharashtra, began to agitate for their demands a little less than two years ago. While the current phase of renewed protests ended, the agitation is far from over.

17 students critical after consuming mid-day meal in Palghar

February 26, 2016 9:23 am

Palghar (Maharashtra), Feb 26 (ANI): Over 100 students fell ill after consuming mid-day meal at a government-run school in Palghar district of Maharashtra. An official of the district education department Prakash Mokashi said action will be taken against the guilty. Jyoti Jadav, a student of the same school, said her stomach started aching after consuming the meal. 17 of the Kasa village primary school students are still critical.The police have sent food samples for tests to a laboratory in Mumbai.

Body of girl who died in Russia arrives in Mumbai

February 17, 2016 2:05 pm

Mumbai, Feb 17 (ANI): The body of a girl who died in a fire incident in Russia arrived in Mumbai on Wednesday. In the shocking tragedy, two medical students from Maharashtra died of suffocation after a fire broke out in their institute in Russia on Sunday morning. The deceased were identified as Karishma Bhosale (20) from Pune and Pooja Kallur (22) from Nerul. BJP leader Kirit Somaiya was seen condoling the family members of the girl.

Fire at ‘Make in India’: Fadnavis orders probe

February 15, 2016 4:26 am

Mumbai, Feb 15 (ANI): Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered a probe into a fire that engulfed the venue of a cultural event at the opening of a ‘Make in India’ week in Mumbai. The fire broke out around 8.15p.m. on the stage during a dance performance. Fanned by high winds, the fire quickly spread, licking the sides of a scaffolding rig. Thousands of spectators and dignitaries, including Fadnavis, were evacuated safely. The event was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to drum up foreign investment.

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