Maha sees 823 communal unrest since Jan
Maharashtra has witnessed 823 incidents of communal unrest since January this year, with demands for the removal of Aurangzeb's tomb and the spread of distorted facts on social media fomenting fresh trouble. Districts like Nandurbar, Pune (Rural), Ratnagiri, Sangli, Beed, and Satara have seen communal unrest in recent days due to right-wing organizations' demands for the demolition of the Mughal emperor's tomb in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The state witnessed 4,836 Hindu-Muslim related communal crimes in 2024, with 170 incidents classified as cognisable and 3,106 as non-cognisable cases. The violence in Nagpur, triggered by protests demanding the removal of Aurangzeb's tomb, highlights the role of social media in spreading inflammatory content and instigating people. While the state has taken measures to curb the spread of misinformation, concerns remain over the impact on communities and the need for promoting peace and understanding.
Illegal Bangladeshis use forged documents to settle in different parts of the country. They usually settled in cities like Mumbai and Pune. However, recent investigations by Maharashtra ATS (Anti-Terrorism Squad) revealed that the infiltrators are moving to Sangli, thereby turning it into a hub for illegal Bangladeshi immigrants. The plot came to light after suspect Continue reading Why Are Illegal Bangladeshis Moving To Maharashtras Sangli? Shocking Details Emerge In Police Investigations The post Why Are Illegal Bangladeshis Moving To Maharashtras Sangli? Shocking Details Emerge In Police Investigations appeared first on OurVoice | WeRIndia - Analysis & Opinion .
Man held for using pet dog to hunt animals in Sangli forest
Accused used to upload photos, videos of his Mudhol hound chasing medium-sized wild animals such as hares, jackals
In a surprising move, the BJP has extended an invitation to Vishal Patil, the independent MP from Sangli and grandson of late Congress stalwart Vasantdada Patil, to join the party.
One injured as drunk driver crashes car into two-wheelers in Maharashtra's Sangli
MUMBAI: One person was injured after a man allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol hit two motorcycles in Maharashtra's Sangli district, police said on Sunday. The accident occurred on the Sangli-Khotwadi Road on Saturday night, an official from the Sangli rural police said. He said that the car driver, Nilesh Patil (31), who runs a jewellery shop, was nabbed after he tried to flee the scene. Patil, a resident of Atpadi taluka, was allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol when he crashed his car into two-wheelers, the official said. He said one of the motorcyclists was injured, while Patil also sustained injuries to his hand as the car overturned after the crash. A case was registered against Patil, and he was issued a notice and let off, the official said.
Maharashtra: Drunk driver crashes car into two-wheelers in Sangli; one injured
The accident occurred on the Sangli-Khotwadi Road on Saturday night, an official from the Sangli rural police said
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Ahmedabad: 2 held for selling private videos of women at maternity hospital
Ahmedabad cyber crime police on Thursday, February 20, arrested three people for their involvement in uploading and selling private videos of women at hospitals across social media platforms. The accused aged between 20 and 25 have been identified as Prajwal Ashok Teli from Maharashtras Latur, Prajapati Rajendra Patil from Sangli, and Chandraprakash Phoolchand from Uttar Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
UP man held by Gujarat cops uploaded videos of women bathers in Mahakumbh
AHMEDABAD: One of the three persons arrested by Gujarat police's Cyber Crime Branch for allegedly uploading videos of women being medically examined in hospitals had also done the same with clips of women pilgrims bathing during Mahakumbh in Prayagraj, a police official said on Friday. Chandra Prakash, a resident of Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh, had started a YouTube channel named 'CP Monda' a few months ago and uploaded videos of women pilgrims bathing at the ongoing Mahakumbh, Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Deputy Commissioner of Police Lavina Sinha told reporters. Chandra Prakash was held from Prayagaj on Wednesday along with Prajwal Taili and Praj Patil from Latur and Sangli in Maharashtra for uploading objectionable videos of women patients, including from a Rajkot based hospital, with aim of making money from subscribers on Telegram app. While Taili and Patil had acquired the videos of women patients from hackers, Chandra Prakash had downloaded the videos from other YouTube channels and uploaded them on his channel recently. We are probing if he too had intention of selling these videos. The duo from Maharashtra are not linked to Prakash, Sinha said. Taili and Praj knew each other as they have cleared Class 12 and were preparing for NEET in Latur. The three accused have been remanded in police custody till March 1, Sinha informed. In the videos, which appeared to be from CCTV footage, women patients could be seen being examined inside a closed room of a hospital by a female doctor or being given injection by a nurse. A police probe found the viral videos were part of CCTV footage of Rajkot-based Payal Maternity Home. Some hackers breached the hospital's CCTV system and acquired the footage, as per police. Later, Taili and Praj Patil acquired these footage and shared them on their YouTube channels, with the description carrying a link to a Telegram group. Using Telegram, the duo used to sell these clips for Rs 800 to Rs 2000 each. Both had made Rs 8 to 9 lakh in 7-8 months by selling such obscene clips online. We found nearly 2,000 clips, including of public places, from their devices, said Sinha.
Gujarats cybercrime branch busts racket selling videos of female patients; three arrested
AHMEDABAD: Ahmedabad Cyber Crime has arrested two suspects from Maharashtra and one from Uttar Pradesh in connection with the viral videos of female patients undergoing treatment and examinations at Payal Maternity Home & Surgical Hospital near Raiya Circle in Rajkot. The accused were allegedly selling these illicit videos on a Telegram channel, charging hefty amounts from subscribers. Investigators have uncovered further evidence of the financial transactions linked to the illegal activity. Meanwhile, Ahmedabad Cyber Crime has confirmed that the hospitals CCTV IP system was hacked, allowing unauthorised access to private footage. One such video, showing a woman receiving treatment in a gynecological hospital, recently went viral on Telegram, with group members being invited to access similar content. The circulation of such videos is a direct violation of patient privacy, prompting authorities to register a case and take strict legal action. Gujarats Ahmedabad Cyber Crime and Crime Branch teams conducted coordinated raids across multiple states, leading them to Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, where they apprehended three suspects. Among them, Pragnesh Patil and Prajwal Teli were arrested from Sangli and Latur in Maharashtra, while another suspect was caught in Uttar Pradesh. Meanwhile, investigators are interrogating seven more individuals linked to the case, hinting at a larger operation. The case revolves around the illegal sharing of private videos capturing female patients undergoing sensitive medical procedures, including sonography, breast check-ups, gynecological treatments, childbirth, and CT scans at a Rajkot maternity hospital. These videos were allegedly uploaded and sold through Telegram and YouTube channels, exposing victims to severe privacy violations. Cyber Crime ACP Hardik Mankadia confirmed earlier that viral videos on YouTube and Telegram have come under the cybercrime department's radar, linking the probe to their spread. Investigators are analysing the content, he said, adding that the video surfaced on YouTube on January 6 and a Telegram channel was created in September 2024. Mankadia stated that legal action is imminent. A case registered under Sections 66E and 67 of the Cyber Crime IT Act, reinforcing the departments strict stance. According to the crime branch, the two arrested suspects were actively profiting from this illicit trade by charging substantial amounts for access to the content. As the investigation deepens, officials are preparing to transfer the suspects from Maharashtra to Ahmedabad for further legal action, strengthening their crackdown on the perpetrators. Preliminary findings suggest a nationwide racket exploiting hospital CCTV footage, with cybercriminals operating across Gujarat and at least two other states. The misused footage was traced back to Rajkot's Payal Maternity Home & Surgical Hospital, prompting an immediate raid by Ahmedabad Cyber Crime officials. Statements from doctors and staff have been recorded, as authorities work to dismantle the larger network behind the privacy breach.
Maharashtra cabinet approves anti-narcotics task force expansion
MUMBAI: The Maharashtra cabinet on Tuesday approved the creation of 346 new posts in the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), and the setting up of the Sixth State Finance Commission, among other decisions, officials said. The decision to expand ANTF aims to enhance enforcement efforts and curb the spread of narcotics. The government sanctioned the setting up of such an entity on August 31, 2023. The cabinet's approval includes 310 permanent posts and 36 contractual positions within the task force. These include roles ranging from senior police officials to clerical staff and scientific assistants. The state government has sanctioned a recurring expenditure of over Rs 19 crore and a one-time expenditure of more than Rs 3 crore for vehicle procurement and other needs, the government stated. Chairing the meeting, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis underlined the importance of acting decisively against drug networks across Maharashtra. He said strengthening the task force would help law enforcement agencies tackle the growing use of narcotics more effectively. The council of ministers also sanctioned Rs 1,275 crore to improve the Varkhede Londhe Barrage Medium Project in Jalgaon district. The project, located on the Girna River, will provide irrigation facilities to 8,290 hectares of land in Chalisgaon and Bhadgaon talukas. The latest approval marks the third administrative sanction for the project, which aims to enhance water availability in the region. In another decision, the cabinet approved the establishment of the Sixth State Finance Commission, which will give suggestions for financial planning and resource distribution from April 1, 2026, to March 31 2031. The commission is expected to submit its report by December 31, 2025. The chief minister has been given the authority to recommend the names of the commission's chairman and members to the governor. The commission will review the financial status of local self government institutions and suggest measures to improve their economic management, as per an official release. The cabinet also approved a Rs 1,594 crore solar energy project to enhance the energy efficiency of the Mhaisal Lift Irrigation Scheme in Sangli district. This project aims to meet the scheme's annual electricity requirement of approximately 39.8 crore units by leveraging solar power. The Krishna Koyna Lift Irrigation Project, which includes the Mhaisal scheme, is crucial for providing water to drought-prone areas in Sangli and Solapur districts, the statement said. Under the approved plan, 65 out of the 108 pumps in the Mhaisal scheme will be upgraded to energy-efficient models. Additionally, an advanced monitoring system and a 200 MW solar power plant will be installed. The generated electricity will be supplied to the Narwad substation through a dedicated transmission line. The project's financial structure includes a loan of Rs 1,120 crore from Germany's KfW Bank and a state government investment of Rs 474 crore, the statement said. The Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission and other state agencies will oversee the implementation of the project, which is expected to reduce operational costs and promote the use of green energy in the state's irrigation sector. The water will benefit 1,08,197 hectares of agricultural land from tehsils like Miraj, Kavathe Mahankal, Tasgaon and Jat in Sangli districts and Sangola and Mangalvedha in Solapur district The cabinet approved the allocation of land to Dinanath Mangeshkar Hospital in Pune to construct a bridge over a nullah on a nominal annual lease of Re 1. The hospital, run by the Dinanath Mangeshkar Foundation, had requested 795 square metres of land for the bridge to connect its properties in Erandwane and Karvenagar. The land will be given on a nominal annual lease of Rupee 1. The foundation will bear the construction costs. The bridge is expected to improve accessibility for patients staff and ambulances.
Jayant Patil attends event with Gadkari, mocks media over speculative reports
PUNE, Feb 17: Maharashtra NCP (SP) chief Jayant Patil on Monday took jibes at the media over speculation of his joining the BJP as he attended an event with Union minister Nitin Gadkari. In a sarcastic vein, Patil also asked the media to not report that Gadkari is joining the NCP (SP). Patil was speaking at an event where a hostel building of Rajarambapu Institute of Technology (RIT) in Islampur in Sangli district was inaugurated in the presence of chief [] The post Jayant Patil attends event with Gadkari, mocks media over speculative reports appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Cricket analogy abound in LS, barbs against BJP, Congress traded
NEW DELHI: Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde on Tuesday described the Congress as a atsman who is trying to get the other partners of the INDIA bloc un out. Independent MP from Maharashtra's Sangli, Vishal Patil, too resorted to cricketing lexicon to take a swipe at the Mahayuti government, and said that after winning the assembly polls, the alliance got the 12th man to run the government there. Participating in the discussion on the Union budget in the Lok Sabha, Shinde said INDIA bloc is like a cricket team that has a batsmen named Congress who is bent on getting others run out. He added, The Congress is the 'Bhasmasur' of Indian politics, whomever it supports is destroyed. In our Maharashtra, it put off the 'mashaal' of the UBT. Those who moved away from the Hindutva ideology, look at their situation in Maharashtra now. Alleging that Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi spoke like a spokesperson of China, Shinde said, When you abuse 'Make in India' then you don't just abuse the government but all labourers, engineers and doctors, as they are all part of it. Shinde also lauded the Union Budget to say, When we call (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi ji, the captain of Team India, then we can call Nirmala Sitharaman, the winning all-rounder of Team India. He said the BJP-led Centre proved everyone wrong in the opposition by building the Ram Temple, and abrogating Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. In these 10 years, mandir was constructed, 370 was removed and in Delhi, (BJP) government has come to power. In this life only, UCC will also come, he said. Independent MP Patil accused the Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra of finagling the voters by switching the chief minister it promised them before the election. In olden times, in order to get a useless guy married, people used to show the photograph of an intelligent boy and then get the useless person married instead. This is what has happened in Maharashtra, they showed the face of Eknath Shinde and after the results some other person became the groom, Patil said in a swipe at BJP leader and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The man of the match was made the 12th man and the 12th man is now running the government after becoming the captain, he said.
Village in Maharashtra seeks a return to ballot papers in future elections
The Bahe village gram panchayat in Walva tehsil of Sangli district in Maharashtra has passed a resolution supporting ballot papers in future elections
Fadnavis will ask Munde to resign if...: Maha min
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will ask NCP minister Dhananjay Munde to step down if any evidence is found linking him to sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh's murder, his cabinet colleague Chandrakant Patil has said. A comprehensive probe is being conducted into the murder of Deshmukh, BJP leader Patil told reporters in Sangli on Sunday. Walmik Karad, an associate of minister Munde, has been arrested in an extortion case linked to the sarpanch's killing. Deshmukh, the sarpanch of Massajog village in Beed district, was abducted, tortured and killed on December 9 for trying to stop an extortion attempt against an energy firm operating a windmill project there. Munde, the NCP MLA from Parli in Beed district, is under attack from some of the ruling alliance colleagues and the opposition over his links with Karad. The Maharashtra government has already seized properties of the accused in sarpanch Deshmukh murder case. Stringent charges have been invoked and the probe is going on, the BJP leader said. The police machinery is actively investigating the case, and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has also been formed for a probe into it, Patil said. Additionally, a committee headed by a retired judge has been constituted to oversee the inquiry, the minister said. Steps are being taken, including invocation of the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against Walmik Karad and other accused, Patil pointed out. The process of seizing Karad's assets is also underway, he added.
Turmeric Board Boon to the Quality Produce, Remunerative Price
Nizamabad: The National Turmeric Board (NTB) will change the fate of farmers across the country, especially in Telangana state. From cultivation to exports, the board will play key role. The farmers are eagerly waiting for the initiative of the board for improvement of crop and its benefits. On war footing basis, the officials began arrangements for the setting up of the board in Nizamabad. Maharashtra is top producer of turmeric, but the central government set up the National Turmeric Board in Nizamabad by giving importance to the Telangana state. However, the quality of turmeric cultivated in north Telangana districts is superior. Usually, farmers bring wet turmeric for sale in the Nizamabad agriculture market yard for early disposal of the produce. Only dried turmeric, either finger variety or bulb variety will get remunerative price. In view of this, the Spices Board India created awareness among the farmers over dried turmeric for the last few years. Exclusive Turmeric Board will create awareness over cultivation and marketing strategies to the farmers. For better price, Telangana farmers sent the turmeric to Sangli market in Maharashtra. Speaking to Deccan Chronicle , Spices Board India Nizamabad deputy director Sundareshan said that they are waiting for the norms from the central government over Turmeric Board function. Both Spices Board India office and Turmeric Board will work in Nizamabad, he said. Spices Board dealt with 52 spices barring the turmeric soon, he said. We are trying to cooperate with the farmers to cultivate quality turmeric and get remunerative prices, he explained. Meanwhile, 30 varieties of turmeric crops are being cultivated in around 20 states across the country. Of the world's need for turmeric, India will cater 62 percent of the global market. As for food, cosmetic and medicinal needs, turmeric is being used in various countries. For the last five years, the model price of turmeric stands between Rs 6,350 to Rs 15,000 per quintal in Nizamabad agriculture market yard.
Maha minister Nitesh Rane ignites political storm with EVM remark
Maharashtras newly elected minister and BJP leader Nitesh Rane has once again sparked a wave of controversy with his anti-Muslim inflammatory rhetoric. This time he provocatively reinterpreted the acronym EVM (Electronic Voting Machine). Speaking at a Hindu Garjana Sabha in Sangli, Rane declared that EVM means Every Vote Against Mullah, escalating his pattern of making Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
A Bengaluru CEO and five family members died after a container truck crashed onto their SUV. The accident occurred on NH48 near Nelamangala while they were traveling to Sangli. The truck driver lost control while avoiding another car, hitting a milk truck before crushing the SUV. The truck driver and milk truck driver survived with injuries.
Six killed in Nelamangala Highway crash, including tech CEO, family
A devastating accident on the National Highway in Nelamangala, Bengaluru, claimed the lives of six individuals, leaving behind a scene of horror. The victims, including Chandram Yegapagol, a 46-year-old tech CEO, and five of his family members, died instantly in the collision. Yegapagol, who resided in Bengalurus HSR Layout, was the CEO and managing director of IAST Software Solutions, a company he founded in 2018. Originally from Morbagi village in Maharashtras Sangli district, he had an impressive academic background, holding a diploma in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from GPT Gulbarga and a Bachelor of Engineering from the renowned National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK) Surathkal. Yegapagols career was marked by significant leadership roles at prestigious companies such as Robert Bosch Engineering and Business Solutions, KPIT Technologies, and Great Wall Motor in China. His wealth of experience helped him establish IAST Software Solutions, which grew to employ over 100 skilled engineers and had a global reach, with a wholly owned subsidiary in Shanghai and partnerships with companies in France and Japan. The company also expanded its operations to Pune. In the tragic accident, Yegapagol was accompanied by his wife Gurabai, his sister-in-law Vijayalaxmi, his two children, and a niece, all of whom perished at the scene. According to preliminary police investigations, the accident occurred when an Eicher truck, transporting heavy aluminum pillars, lost control. The driver, reportedly trying to avoid another vehicle, veered off the road and crossed the median. The truck then crashed into a Volvo car traveling toward Tumakuru, resulting in a catastrophic impact that severely damaged the vehicle. Before coming to a stop, the truck also collided with a tempo, though the damage to the tempo was minimal. Nearby CCTV footage captured the horrifying moment of the collision. Police are currently examining the footage as part of their ongoing investigation.
Cyclone Fengal: Maharashtra's Mango, Cashew Farmers Worried As IMD Predicts Rain, Dip In Mercury
Heavy rain is likely in Sindhudurg, Ratnagiri, Satara, and Kolhapur on Wednesday. In addition, districts like Pune, Solapur, Sangli, and parts of Marathwada, including Dharashiv, Latur, and Nanded, may experience rainfall during this period
Sharad Pawars party to insist on paper ballots
Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) on Sunday elected Jitendra Awhad as its group leader in the Maharashtra legislative assembly, while the youngest legislator in the 15th Maharashtra Assembly and first time MLA Rohit RR Patil was nominated as chief whip of the party. In the meeting, the party also decided to insist on paper ballots in elections. The NCP(SP) chief chaired a meeting of newly elected MLAs at the party office in South Mumbai. However, the party did not elect a group leader of the legislature party due to non availability of the members of the upper house in the meeting. After the meeting, Maharashtra NCP (SP) president Jayant Patil told the reporters that apart from Mr. Awhad and Rohit Patil, Uttam Janakar has also been elected as the whip. Out of 10 newly elected MLAs of the party, nine attended the meeting. Sandeep Kshirsagar did not come due to his felicitation in his Beed Assembly constituency, he said. Rohit Patil is the son of former Maharashtra home minister late R.R. Patil. Hedefeated his fathers archrival Sanjay Kaka Patil from Tasgaon-Kavathe Mahankal assembly constituency in Sangli district. Sanjay Kaka Patil, who is also a former BJP Lok Sabha member, had switched to Ajit Pawar led NCP ahead of the Assembly election. Awhad, who is very close to Sharad Pawar, has been consecutively elected from Mumbra-Kalwa Assembly constituency since 2009. The NCP (SP) secured only 10 out of the 86 seats it contested in the Assembly election. After its massive defeat, the party has questioned the electoral process and EVMs and claimed that the election results were not the people's mandate. In the meeting, MLAs again raised doubts over EVMS and decided to insist for elections through ballot papers in future. Patil said that although the party has less numbers, the MLAs would continue to effectively raise the issues of common people in the state legislature. He also said that the MLAs also discussed serious issues of inexplicable increase in voting percentages in the last hour on polling day. There is a complete mismatch with the final tally and form 17s data. It is a very serious issue, Patil said. The Election Commission has denied the claims stating that authorised agents of all candidates were given a copy of Form 17, which has the total votes polled at the particular polling station and the number of polled votes shown in Form 17C cannot be changed and can be verified with the total votes counted.
Three of Family Die as Car Plunges Into Krishna River
Sangli: Three members of a family were killed after their car plunged into the Krishna river in western Maharashtra's Sangli district in the early hours of Thursday, police said.The accident took place on the Ankali bridge around 12.30 am when two families, the Khedekars and Narvekars, residents of Sangli, were returning after attending a wedding in Kolhapur. There are two bridges on the Krishna river at the spot, an old one and a new one, adjacent to each other. The driver lost control of the car while it was passing through the old bridge and it fell between the two bridges, said a police official. It landed on a dry patch near a bridge pillar, he added. Six severely injured persons were taken to hospital. While Prasad Bhalchandra Khedekar (35), his wife Prerana (36) and Vaishnavi Santosh Narvekar (21) died, Samarjeet Prasad Khedekar (7), Varad Santosh Narvekar (19) and Sakshi Santosh Narvekar (42) were undergoing treatment, the official said.
Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay | Will Sena, NCP rivals unite? Uddhav & Pawar still in play
Understandably, most analysts, including this writer, scrutinise the electoral performance of winner(s), seats won, vote share -- also in comparison with losers, factors that led to victory, the reasons for the inversion of the verdict (if so), and how the campaign was conducted. In most elections, especially with a multilateral polity which gets converted into a bipolar contest because of alliances, it is rare to come across a clearly defined contest between mutual adversaries. However, Maharashtra has, since 2023, after the vertical split in the NCP, been a political theatre with two, if not three, paired antagonists, neatly divided between the two adversarial alliances, Mahayuti and Maha Vikas Aghhadi (MVA). It doesnt need much effort to list three pairs, officially named by the Election Commission as Shiv Sena-Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP-NCP (Sharad Pawar), with the last one obviously being the BJP and the Congress. Before Shiv Sena and NCP splits in 2022 and 2023 respectively, both parties were part of the MVA. But prior to 2019, the Shiv Sena was the BJPs alliance partner for almost 35 years from 1984 onwards. Even before the BJP emerged as a party of significance in the late 1980s (except of course in the 1970s when its earlier Jan Sangh avatar was an important player in the anti-Congress space), the BJP and the Sena jointly took up the Hindu right-wing space. Bal Thackeray increasingly took up this space as the son of the soil was not echoing like earlier, by coming out more openly in support of the Ram Mandir agitation and the post-liberalisation celebration of Valentines Day, than the muted backing from the BJP prior to Lal Krishna Advanis 1991 Rath Yatra. The Sena, under Bal Thackeray or Uddhav Thackeray later, did not deviate from its pro-Hindutva stance. Given this, Uddhav Thackerays 2019 decision to part ways with the BJP was not taken on an ideological basis, it was just a shift made for pursuit of the CMs chair. The split in 2022 was also triggered by power-hungry Eknath Shinde, who found a keen partner in the BJP as its leadership wanted to get even with Uddhav Thackeray and seize power. The Congress, especially its national leadership, displayed discomfort over teaming up with the Shiv Sena, even after its split, but being in government remained the motivator. When the NCP split last year, Ajit Pawar had no ideological qualms in walking over from an anti-Hindutva alliance to the BJP-led coalition so long as he secured the deputy chief ministers position and a few important ministries. It is also worth recollecting during the campaign period, Ajit Pawar as well as Sharad Pawar, had stated that in 2019, they had meetings to discuss possibilities of forming a government in partnership with the BJP. We must remember that back then, the former even crossed over to the BJP side and taken the oath as deputy CM for a few days before quitting and returning to the party led by his uncle. Governance in Maharashtra was, and has been, secured without ideological reasons, even though the primary position of the BJP remains pro-Hindutva and that of its paired antagonist, the Congress, is essentially anti-Hindutva. According to the numerical hierarchy in the two alliances in terms of seats won, in the Mahayuti the sequence (or hierarchy) is: BJP (132), SHS (57) and NCP (41). According to vote-share, the sequence remains the same: BJP (26.77%), SHS (12.38%), and NCP (9.01). In the MVA, the largest to smallest party listing has got altered: SHSUBT (20), Congress (16), and NCP (10); on basis of vote-share: Congress (12.42%), NCPSP (11.28%) and SHSUBT (9.96%). The variance in numerical hierarchy within the MVA is different between the two parameters of listing and is a vagary of the first-past-the-post system. Our electoral system at times becomes more unfair in multi-polar contests -- even when it is bipolar in terms of alliances. For instance, in the Lok Sabha polls, the total vote-share of the MVA was 44.9% (including votes polled by victorious rebel candidate from Sangli who rejoined Congress), while that of the Mahayuti was 42.73, a difference of 2.17%. The total seats differed more widely: MVA (31) and Mahayuti (17). But in the Assembly elections, the three Mahayuti parties bagged 230 parties and polled 48.16% votes while the MVA parties got 46 seats and 33.66%. Another instance of peculiarity is the vote-share in this Assembly election of the Ajit Pawar NCP faction (9.01%) while that of his uncles faction is more (11.28%), even though the nephews party won four times more seats. Likewise, Eknath Shindes faction may have bagged almost three times the seats, but Uddhav Thackerays partys votes are just 2.42% lower. The oddity of the electoral system is that the BJP, with 26.77% votes, won almost 46% of the seats. The stark disproportion between vote-share or actual electoral support and seat tally makes a strong case to deliberate if India should seriously debate shifting to a proportionate system of voting or not. But this matter can be taken up separately and instead we can examine various possibilities for the two factions each in the Shiv Sena and the NCP: will leaders of the four parties reunite with the other faction, or continue as separate parties or gradually head towards extinction. Whenever the question of the political demise of any leader or party is raised, I get reminded of Narendra Modis words while he was a party functionary in New Delhi in late 1990s. While working on a profile of one of his colleagues who was passing through a turbulent period, I asked if this leaders career was over. He said that there was never a full stop in life till it was divinely fated. Despite the bitterness with which the four parties parted ways with their colleagues, there is a far greater chance for the Pawars to come together once again, because despite winning fewer seats, Sharad Pawars political base appears bigger, the fewer seats are because of factors linked to which seats the two contested and their performance in them, even the ones lost. In contrast, Uddhav Thackeray will face a greater challenge, especially if Eknath Shinde remains CM and is in a position to hand out power and resources to party leaders. Much would also depend on the BJP, particularly if it acts like a domineering party on the basis of its higher tally, as both Mr Shinde and Ajit Pawar will examine their options, although not immediately. This means that for the moment, the vanquished will fall back, but as it is colloquially said in a different context, party abhi baaki hai .
