BHOPAL: As many as 42.74 lakh electors out of the total 5.74 crore were removed from the draft electoral rolls published on Tuesday after the contentious Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Madhya Pradesh. Out of the 42,74,160 names that were removed from the electoral rolls, 19.19 lakh were men, while 23.64 lakh were women. The total number of voters who filled up the SIR enumeration forms stands at over 5.31 crore. As many as 8,65, 832 voters remained unmapped, as the detail

Nearly 95 lakh voters have been removed from the draft electoral rolls published on Tuesday after the contentious Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Kerala and Andaman and Nicobar. In Madhya Pradesh , names of 42.74 lakh electors (7%) out of the total 5.74 crore were removed from the draft rolls. In Kerala, the names of 24.08 lakh of the over 2.78 crore electors were removed from the draft rolls. In Chhattisgarh, out of 2.12 crore electors, names

Uddhav Thackeray's faction of Shiv Sena is going ahead full steam with Raj Thackeray's MNS for the civic elections in Mumbai.

DEHRADUN: As the Election Commission of India (ECI) prepares to launch Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Uttarakhand, nearly 90,000 voters serving in the military or paramilitary forces must choose between retaining their registration as a 'service voter' or remaining on their ancestral village's voter list. General voters whose names appear on both urban and rural voter lists must also opt to remove one registration. The Chief Electoral Officer's office is currently engaged in pre-SIR mapping

SPs report safer elections, festivals, strong cyber recovery and focused policing

BJP leader and Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday formally commenced seat-sharing talks with the AIADMK, marking a key development in alliance-building ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

CTET February 2026 applicants can now correct their application details until December 26, 2025, on the official website. Over 25 lakh candidates registered for the exam, scheduled for February 8, 2026, marking a significant increase from previous years. Corrections are permitted for personal information and paper selections, but not exam city preferences.

PATNA: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who arrived here to attend the first literary festival organised by Bihars Nalanda University, heaped praise on CM Nitish Kumar for carrying out development works across the State. Talking to media persons in Rajgir, Tharoor said the development works in the state exceeded his expectations. No question that the infrastructure is so much better than I had heard before. The roads are better. People are out on the streets even late at night, which was not always t

MUMBAI: After a gap of 20 years and following prolonged deliberations, cousins Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray have decided to join hands politically to take on the BJP in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, Asias richest civic body, scheduled for January 15 next year. The official announcement of the Thackerays coming together for the BMC and other municipal corporation elections will be made on Wednesday at 12 noon in Mumbai. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said the f

Union Minister Giriraj Singh slammed Rahul Gandhi for alleged treason during foreign visits. Gandhi spoke in Berlin, raising concerns about India's electoral fairness. He claimed elections were not fair and alleged a full-scale assault on institutions. Gandhi also stated that investigating agencies are weaponized. He vowed to create a system of resistance against the capture of institutions.

Union Commerce and Industry Minister and BJP Tamil Nadu election in-charge Piyush Goyal met AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami in Chennai for the discussion

KOLKATA: A day after floating his new political platform, the Janata Unnayan Party (JUP), the suspended Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Humayun Kabir may face action from Speaker Biman Bandyopadhyay in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly. On Tuesday, the Speaker said he may summon the rebel MLA to the Assembly to clarify his present political status as a legislator. Humayun has already been suspended by the leadership on charge of violating party discipline. Documents related to his suspension are

Patna, Dec 23: BJPs national working president Nitin Nabin on Tuesday termed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as a part-time politician, claiming that he came to Bihar only during elections and left the country once the polls got over. Nabin, while addressing the party workers here, asserted that the BJP flag will fly high in the upcoming assembly polls of West Bengal and Kerala, where part-time politicians like Rahul Gandhi would be punished by voters. The 45-year-old BJP leader also alleged [] The

NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule denies any official alliance proposal with Ajit Pawar's faction for Pune civic elections. A leader from Sharad Pawar's party claims a principle decision to contest jointly. Discussions are ongoing with Maha Vikas Aghadi allies. Any alliance decision will consider party workers and city development.

BJP national working president Nitin Nabin led a roadshow in Patna during his first visit to Bihar after taking charge in New Delhi on December 15. Speaking at the event, he accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of being a part-time politician who visits Bihar only during elections. Nabin emphasised commitment in politics, promising to meet peoples expectations and focus on the long-term development of the state.

The Maha Vikas Aghadi faces a crucial test in upcoming municipal corporation elections, including Mumbai, after a significant defeat in recent local polls. The BJP-led Mahayuti secured a dominant victory, winning a majority of municipal president posts, highlighting the opposition's organizational challenges. The MVA now needs to recalibrate its strategy to counter the Mahayuti's growing dominance.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has accused the BJP of manipulating voter lists and weakening election safeguards. He stated that after money power failed in last year's Lok Sabha elections, new threats to democracy are emerging. The Chief Minister highlighted significant increases in BJP donations even after the scrapping of Electoral Bonds.

The Congress has announced its star campaigners for the upcoming Maharashtra civic elections. Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and former cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin will be among the 40 prominent leaders. Sachin Pilot, Kanhaiya Kumar, and Jignesh Mevani are also listed. These elections will see a major political contest across 29 civic bodies. Voting is scheduled for January 15.

This was Mr. Goyals first visit to Tamil Nadu after being appointed by the BJP high command as the partys election in-charge for the State to oversee organisational activities for the 2026 Assembly elections

The crucial Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections will be held on January 15, 2026 and counting of votes will be on January 16, 2026

Sadakku sadakku The trend centres around Thakilu Pukilu, the popular song from the 2001 Malayalam film Ravanaprabhu, which re-released in October. Fans revelled in Suresh Peters high-energy beats and Mohanlals macho maximus presence. Videos from the theatre went viral. So much so that even a local politician became an overnight star after a video showed him grooving to the song. Riding this renewed interest, the web world was taken over by AI-generated Poochandi cat dance clips using the song as

BJP leaders Tarun Chugh and Shahzad Poonawalla have strongly criticized Rahul Gandhi's remarks made in Germany. They accuse him of conspiring to defame India's institutions on foreign soil and insulting the country. Gandhi's comments followed his allegations of vote theft and unfair elections in India, citing issues with the voter list and the electoral machinery.

As the results of the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) 2026 are announced, Delhi has once again emerged as a strong talent hub for India’s next generation of legal professionals. Among this year’s standout achievers are twin brothers Parv Jain and Argh Jain from Delhi, who have secured All India Rank 2 and All India Rank 8, respectively, in one of the country’s most competitive law entrance examinations.   Twin Brothers-Parv Jain AIR 2 and ARGh Jain AIR 8 CLAT 2026  

Madhya Pradesh's draft electoral roll is out, with a month-long window for claims and objections until January 15, 2026. Over 9 lakh voters face deletion if identity verification isn't completed. Residents are urged to check their status online or offline to ensure participation in the upcoming 2026 elections. This is a step-by-step guide to help you in the process.

Rahul Gandhis remarks in Berlin alleging a full-scale assault on Indias institutional framework have sparked a sharp political backlash, with the Bharatiya Janata Party accusing the Congress leader of running down the country abroad and questioning his intent. Addressing a lecture at the Hertie School during his five-day visit to Germany, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha reiterated his vote theft charge against the BJP-led government. There is a full-scale assault taking place on th

NEW DELHI: Dhaka on Tuesday summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma to formally raise concerns over the security of Bangladeshs diplomatic missions in India, amid a spate of protests and the suspension of consular services in several cities. Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam called in the envoy around 9:30 am to brief him on what Bangladesh described as an unsatisfactory security situation at its missions in New Delhi, Kolkata, and Agartala, foreign ministry sources told The Dai

NT Reporter Panaji Congress increased its presence in the Zilla Panchayat by winning 10 seats in the 50-seat polls, up from five seats in 2020. Of the 36 seats contested by the party, nine candidates emerged victorioustwo in North Goa and eight in South Goa. The party also won the Guirdolim seat in South Goa [] The post Congress boosts tally to 10 seats, banks on momentum to help party in 2027 elections appeared first on The Navhind Times .

Nomination filing for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections commenced Tuesday, with major parties still finalizing alliances and candidates for the 227 wards. The Aam Aadmi Party has released its initial list of 21 candidates and 40 star campaigners. Elections are scheduled for January 15, with results on January 16.

Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring alleged the ruling AAP manipulated the recent zila parishad and panchayat samiti elections through abuse of power. He claimed AAP's actual electoral wins were significantly lower than reported, with many seats won unopposed or through rejected nominations, despite the AAP claiming an emphatic victory.

Tarique Rahman, son of former PM Khaleda Zia, plans to return to Bangladesh on December 25, 2025, ahead of the General Elections. His return has sparked speculation as Bangladesh faces rising political unrest and violence. Rahman's role in the BNP's election campaign is anticipated to be pivotal.

The political parties in both ruling Mahayuti and Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) camp are yet to officially announce the seat-sharing arrangement

As the 2026 assembly elections draw closer, Vijay's appeal among minorities, the Church's guarded stance, and the DMK's counter-moves underline the rapidly evolving political landscape in Tamil Nadu.

The junta has waged a pre-vote offensive, clawing back territory and hammering areas beyond its reach with air strikes, but concedes elections cannot happen in around one in seven constituencies

CHENNAI: Justice Zak Yacoob, a retired judge of the South African Constitutional Court, warned that the dangerous blending of religion and policy threatens the core of democracy. Speaking at the Arappor Iyakkam office in Nungambakkam on Monday, he delivered a lecture titled Free and Fair Elections: The South African Experience, drawing parallels between his countrys history and the current challenges faced by India and Tamil Nadu. Justice Yacoob observed that despite laws promoting equality, dee

PATNA: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah on the second day of his two-day visit to New Delhi. Deputy CM Samrat Chaudhary and Union minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lallan Singh were also present. This was Nitishs first meeting with the Prime Minister in New Delhi after the Bihar assembly elections. NDA leaders, however, dismissed the Congress charge, calling it a courtesy meeting. Bihar Congress on Monday took a swipe at Chief Ministe

Wilson College authorities, students infuriated by Election Commission using some vital rooms on ground floor of premises for the past two years for election work; say board exams, unit tests, NEP, and college festival will suffer

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: CPM state secretary M V Govindan is facing the internal heat for the first time, as criticism builds up over his leadership and decision making in view of the partys poor performance in the recent local body elections. On Monday, the Thiruvananthapuram district committee held to review the local body election results criticised Govindan and the state leadership for failing to address critical issues. Govindan had directly overseen the election preparations for the corporation

Roadshows have emerged as a preferred tool for political parties. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi takes a lead, other leaders are not behind when it comes to organising road shows. Newly-appointed BJPs working national president Nitin Nabin will also stage a roadshow in Patna on Tuesday during his maiden visit to the state after assuming his new post. Whether road show is more effective than a public meeting for attracting people towards political parties, particularly during elections, remai

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kudumbashree workers delivered an impressive performance in the recently concluded local body elections, with 7,210 candidates emerging victorious across the state. The results highlight the growing political presence of the states flagship womens empowerment mission at the grassroots level. According to official figures, 17,082 Kudumbashree members contested the elections to grama, block and district panchayats, municipalities, and corporations. The winners were spread acros

After the Maharashtra Assembly elections, where Shiv Sena (UBT) performed poorly, winning only 20 seats out of 288 seats, while his cousin Raj Thackerays party MNS won zero seats, both decided to explore a new union

The elections also marked significant social milestones. In Karimnagar district, Vadla Mamatha created history by becoming the first transgender person to win a sarpanch seat, at Lasmanapalli village in Saidapur mandal.

Humayun Kabir, a suspended Trinamool MLA, has launched his new political outfit, the Janata Unnayan Party. He announced candidates for the upcoming 2026 assembly elections. Kabir will contest from Rejinagar and Beldanga in Murshidabad district. His party aims for minority unity and development of common people. Kabir is open to alliances with anti-Trinamool and anti-BJP forces.

Congress is pushing its ally DMK for more seats and a power-sharing agreement in the upcoming Tamil Nadu assembly elections. The party is also monitoring the growing influence of actor Vijay's new political outfit, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam. Congress aims for early discussions on coalition matters to strengthen its position in the state.

Ministers Ponnam Prabhakar, Jupally Krishna Rao and Vakiti Srihari said the people of Telangana had already skinned the BRS by rejecting the party in a series of elections since the 2023 Assembly polls.

As per the data, a total of 5,49,36,396 votes were polled in the elections: Reports

Speaking to media in Jogulamba Gadwal district during her organisation's mass-contact programme 'Janam Bata', she said her priority is to be among the people regardless of elections: Reports

Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey took a swipe at the Congress, calling it a ourist party and asserting that it holds little relevance in the upcoming BMC elections.

Srinagar, December 22: The Jammu and Kashmir Water Sports Kayaking and Canoeing Association, affiliated with the Indian Kayaking and Canoeing Association (IKCA), convened its General Body Meeting and conducted elections for office bearers on 22 December 2025 at Hotel Comrade Inn, Rajbagh. The election process was held under the supervision of Justice (Retd.) Parvaiz Hussain [] The post J&K Water Sports Kayaking and Canoeing Association Holds General Body Meeting, Conducts Elections appeared firs

MUMBAI: Following its defeat in the Maharashtra local body elections, Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has approached Congress leader Rahul Gandhi with a request to form an alliance ahead of the upcoming elections to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), scheduled on January15, 2026. In the local body elections, the BJP has emerged as the single largest party . After winning the 41 Nagar Panchayat president posts in the local body elections, the Congress has gained

Union Health Minister and BJP President J P Nadda on Monday targeted the Congress, accusing some party insiders of facilitating the 2013 Jhiram Ghati Naxal attack, which led to the killing of its state leaders. Addressing the 'Janadesh Parab' (people's mandate festival) event held to mark the completion of two years of the Vishnu Deo Sai-led BJP government in Chhattisgarh, Nadda alleged, Today, I say this with great responsibility that no one else was providing information and inside details abo

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant also hailed the BJPs performance in the Zilla Panchayat elections, stating that the party emerged as number one in the state.

Journalists in Bangladesh face a fight for survival as violent attacks on media offices escalate following the killing of a prominent youth leader. Editors report receiving death threats, with assailants accusing newspapers of serving foreign interests. This surge in violence raises serious concerns for press freedom and civic space ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections.

As the Pune municipal corporation elections draw near, Ajit Pawar's NCP is exploring a possible partnership with Congress. Pawar has initiated talks with Satej Patil from Congress, signaling interest in uniting forces. Yet, the Congress's insistence on a hefty share of seats could pose a hurdle.

KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday urged minorities, who traditionally support the ruling Trinamool Congress, to remain united at a time when the partys suspended MLA Humayun Kabir floated a new political platform , the Janatar Unnyan Party (JUP). The move has raised concerns over a possible split in the minority vote bank barely four months ahead of the Assembly elections scheduled next year. Addressing a meeting of Trinamool Congress Booth Level Agents (BLAs) in the

As Bangladesh descends into an abyss of violence with radical Islamic groups running amok, one of the major political events ahead of the elections scheduled for February is the return of one of the most important figures in Bangladesh politics.

Addressing a public meeting in Beldanga, Kabir said his party would contest the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.

KOCHI: Buoyed by its decisive local body election victory, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) has moved swiftly to widen its political base, inducting P V Anvars Trinamool Congress and C K Janus Janadhipathya Rashtriya Sabha as associate members . The decision was taken at a high-level UDF leadership meeting held in Kochi on Monday, signalling an early and aggressive build-up to the Assembly elections. Along with Anvar and Janu, Vishnupuram Chandrasekharan of Kamraj Congress was also

KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday once again lashed out at Union Home Minister Amit Shah, alleging that he controls the Election Commission of India (ECI). Addressing a meeting of Trinamool Congress Booth Level Agents (BLAs) at the Netaji Indoor Stadium, around 1.5 km from the office of the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) at BBD Bag, the Chief Minister intensified her attack on Shah. I have never seen such an autocratic, worthless home minister who controls

Sky Sports Cricket: Former England captain Nasser Hussain has criticised Englands performance in the Ashes series against Australia, saying the latest campaign has proved o different from previous heavy defeats in Australia, despite a major change in approach. Australia have retained the Ashes with a dominant 82-run victory over England in the third Test in Adelaide on Sunday. The hosts clinched the series win midway through the final day of the Adelaide contest, with Scott Boland claiming the

Nitish Kumar, Samrat Choudhary, and Lalan Singh met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi, marking Nitish Kumar's first visit after the Bihar Assembly elections victory.

MUMBAI: In the Goa Zilla Panchayat polls, the results of which were declared on Monday, the BJP is set for a massive victory by winning 17 of the total 50 seats. The Congress party won five seats, while other smaller parties together secured four seats. Goa has two Zilla ParishadsNorth Goa and South Goawhich together comprise 50 district panchayat seats. In this election, over six lakh voters cast their ballots, with a voter turnout of 72.6 per cent in North Goa and 68.9 per cent in South Goa. T

The UDF in Kerala is expanding its political base by welcoming three new parties. This move comes ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections. The Trinamool Congress, Janadhipathya Rashtriya Party, and Kerala Kamaraj Congress will now be associates of the UDF. This expansion aims to strengthen the opposition's fight against the current government's policies.

Humayun Kabir, a West Bengal MLA, has launched his new political party, the Janata Unnayan Party. This move follows his suspension from the Trinamool Congress. Kabir plans to contest the 2026 West Bengal assembly elections. He aims to challenge Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and has declared his intention to contest from two seats in Murshidabad

According to results announced late on Sunday, the ruling Mahayuti alliance, comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena, and the NCP, dominated the elections to 288 municipal councils and nagar panchayats, securing 207 president posts. In contrast, the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi managed a combined total of just 44 posts

Last-minute discussions between Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS are ongoing for a potential alliance in the upcoming BMC polls. Despite assurances of concluded talks, leaders like Sanjay Raut and Bala Nandgaonkar met to finalize a pact. Disagreements persist over key constituencies, with nominations beginning Tuesday for the January 15 elections.

In a bold political maneuver, Humayun Kabir, former MLA from West Bengal, has unveiled his new party, the Janata Unnayan Party, following his recent suspension from the Trinamool Congress (TMC). With the 2026 assembly elections on the horizon, Kabir is determined to challenge the political dominance of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

BELDANGA: West Bengal MLA Humayun Kabir on Monday floated a new outfit, Janata Unnayan Party, days after he was suspended by the TMC for laying the foundation stone for a Babri-style mosque in Murshidabad district. Addressing a public meeting in Beladanga, Kabir named a few candidates that his new party will field in the 2026 assembly elections in the state. Kabir, the MLA of Bharatpur, said he would contest the assembly polls from two seats, Rejinagar and Beldanga in Murshidabad. 'Will be kingm

Mahayuti alliance of the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP on Sunday (December 22, 2025) swept the elections to 288 municipal councils and nagar panchayats, winning 207 posts of presidents in the local bodies

Arunachal Pradesh faced a challenging 2025, marked by a diplomatic spat over an Arunachalee woman's airport detention in Shanghai and local protests against a major power project. The state also grappled with natural disasters and a corruption scandal. Despite these hurdles, the BJP secured a significant political victory in local elections, showcasing the region's resilience.

The BJP-led Mahayuti's decisive victory in recent municipal elections amplifies the challenge for the opposition ahead of the crucial BMC polls. Political observers believe this win will boost the Mahayuti's morale and potentially lead to further defections, while the Thackeray cousins face an acid test in Mumbai.

Municipal council elections in Maharashtra, which happened after almost a decade, mirrored the 2024 Vidhan Sabha elections.

NT Reporter Panaji/Margao The fate of 226 candidates contesting the Zilla Panchayat (ZP) elections will be decided on Monday, with counting of votes scheduled to begin at 8 am across 15 centres in the state, following a record voter turnout of 70.81%, the highest since the formation of the Zilla Panchayats in the state. The [] The post ZP polls: Stage set for counting of votes today appeared first on The Navhind Times .

BJP emerged as the single largest party in Maharashtra's local body polls, securing 117 president posts and doubling its councillors since 2017. Despite challenges, the Mahayuti alliance, including Shiv Sena and NCP factions, celebrated a significant win, seen as a precursor to upcoming municipal corporation elections.

Maharashtra's ruling Mahayuti alliance celebrated a significant victory in local body elections, with CM Devendra Fadnavis highlighting BJP's leading role. Deputy CM Eknath Shinde declared the results a 'trailer' for upcoming municipal corporation polls, while Ajit Pawar asserted his faction's strength. Leaders credited transparent governance and farmer support for the win.

Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has sharply criticized Bangladesh's interim government. She stated the unelected administration lacks the mandate to alter foreign policy. Hasina also condemned a recent tribunal verdict as politically motivated. She warned that upcoming elections without her party would be illegitimate.

You have been actively taking up the cause of farmers. Are you too from a family of farmers? Yes. I come from a farming family that migrated from Travancore to Malabar. There was a large migration from the Meenachil taluk of Kottayam district during my grandfathers time, when land in Travancore was controlled by feudal landlords. These migrants settled in Malabar, bringing with them their faith, lifestyle, and farming traditions, which gradually shaped the region. Since they were primarily farme

The BJP-led Mahayuti coalition has secured a decisive victory in Maharashtra's civic elections, winning nearly 207 out of 288 council and nagar panchayat president posts. This performance mirrors their assembly election success, with the BJP emerging as the biggest gainer. The results consolidate Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's position and are seen as a significant win for the ruling alliance.

The Bharatiya Janata Party has secured a significant lead in the Municipal Council and Nagar Panchayat elections. The Mahayuti alliance has replicated its assembly election success. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis attributed the victory to government development work. Opposition parties alleged the elections were fixed and influenced by excessive spending and Election Commission bias. Congress showed strength in Chandrapur.

Municipal council elections in Maharashtra, which happened after almost a decade, mirrored the 2024 Vidhan Sabha elections.

The Mahayuti alliance secured a significant victory in Maharashtra's local body elections. They won 207 posts for presidents of municipal councils and nagar panchayats. The BJP emerged as the largest party within the alliance. The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi secured a much smaller share of the wins. Results were announced by the State Election Commission.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday thanked the people of Maharashtra for supporting the BJP and the Mahayuti coalition led by it in the local bodies elections, asserting that it reflected their trust in people-centric development. Maharashtra stands firmly with development! Grateful to the people of Maharashtra for blessing the BJP and Mahayuti Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by

Providing an integrated and sustainable water supply system to Guntur was a major promise made before the elections and this remained a priority of the government: Pemmasani Chandrasekhar

PM Modi's statement comes as Mahayuti registered a decisive victory in the western state's local body elections, results for which were declared on Sunday (December 21). Here's more on this.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena Chief leader Eknath Shinde said on Sunday that the party has maintained a formidable strike rate in the recent nagar parishad and nagar panchayat elections.

There are three likely scenarios in these elections. In the first, the violence could be minimal, with a smooth transition to democracy, in which the junta would relax certain restrictions and ensure partial inclusivity after due consultations with a few Ethnic Armed Organisations (EAOs)

After ending its alliance with the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Sharad Pawarled Nationalist Congress Party (SP), the Congress is now exploring a tie-up with the Prakash Ambedkarled Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) for the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections

Revanth Reddy gave specific instructions on consolidating the party at the grassroots level and preparing effectively for the remaining local body elections: Reports

Congress has announced significant wins in Maharashtra's local body elections. The party claims 41 municipal council presidents and 1,006 councillors have been elected on its symbol. Results for all local bodies are still being declared. The Chief Minister stated the BJP achieved a record with 48 percent of councillors winning on its symbol and 129 presidents elected.

Jitan Ram Manjhi, former Bihar Chief Minister, expressed dissatisfaction with his treatment within the NDA alliance. He indicated that his party, Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM), might explore other political avenues. This comes as Manjhi seeks a Rajya Sabha seat, a promise he claims remains unfulfilled. He highlighted that HAM received only one Lok Sabha seat in the previous elections.

Urban-based leaders across party lines have shown keen interest in contesting the elections.

A Congress team recently engaged with Prakash Ambedkar, head of Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, focusing on the pivotal Mumbai municipal elections. They dissected urban governance hurdles and the necessity for inclusive progress within the metropolis. While Congress aims to run solo in the BMC elections, they are fostering dialogues with factions like VBA and RPI for potential collaborations.

Maharashtra's local body elections saw a significant win for the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance, securing a majority of councillor seats and municipal council presidencies. The ruling coalition attributed its success to development initiatives and strong organizational efforts. Opposition parties, however, alleged irregularities and unfair practices during the polls.

In the 2025 local body elections, the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation had witnessed a seismic shift with the LDF losing its grip on the 101-ward civic body after more than four decades.

In Nanded, the Bharatiya Janata Party's family strategy for Loha municipal council polls did not succeed. The Nationalist Congress Party candidate, also named Sharad Pawar, secured the president's post. Several BJP candidates and their relatives lost their elections. The NCP performed well in several local bodies across Nanded district.

The Shiv Sena has secured victory in the Kankavli municipal council elections. A candidate supported by Nilesh Rane of the Shiv Sena defeated the challenger backed by his brother and state minister Nitesh Rane. This outcome occurred on their home turf. Nilesh Rane expressed mixed emotions, highlighting the alliance's continuation despite the BJP's loss.

US President Donald Trump is preparing for a more aggressive immigration crackdown in 2026 with billions in new funding, including by raiding more workplaces - even as backlash builds ahead of next year's midterm elections.

NAGPUR: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday said the BJP has set a record in local body polls with 48 per cent of councillors winning on the party symbol, and its candidates elected as presidents in 129 municipal councils. He attributed the Mahayuti alliance's success in the municipal council and nagar panchayat elections to the BJP organisation and development agenda of the government. Counting of votes for elections to the posts of president and members in 286 municipal coun