August 7, 2026

2026

Travel influencer Shenaz Treasury recommends these 6 places women must travel to in 2026; safe, stunning and solo-friendly

Travel influencer Shenaz Treasury recommends these 6 places women must travel to in 2026; safe, stunning and solo-friendly

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

The room was buzzing with the familiar excitement. It was because the discussion was around dreams of distant beaches, misty hills, and cultures waiting to be explored. At a Skyscanner event in New Delhi recently, in the presence of Neel Ghosh (Country Manager & GM, India) and India’s beloved traveller influencer Shenaz Treasury, the discussion…

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Aquarius Horoscope Today, January 17, 2026: Energy is decent, but you may feel mentally tired

Aquarius Horoscope Today, January 17, 2026: Energy is decent, but you may feel mentally tired

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Your money situation looks balanced, which is a relief. The Moon supports practical thinking, and Saturn keeps you realistic, so income and expenditure match, as long as you don’t go hunting for unnecessary purchases.A long journey is likely to be cancelled. Don’t get irritated. Use that saved time for home chores, pending calls, or simply…

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‘Unrest an American plot’: Khamenei blames Trump for protester’s deaths; issues big warning

‘Unrest an American plot’: Khamenei blames Trump for protester’s deaths; issues big warning

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has accused US President Donald Trump of being responsible for deaths and damage during Iran’s recent wave of protests, branding him a “criminal” and claiming Washington orchestrated the unrest.Speaking on Saturday, Khamenei said the United States and Trump personally were behind the demonstrations that swept the country and were…

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‘submitted false applications to obtain Covid-19 relief money’: Indian-origin US businessman sentenced to six years for fraud

‘submitted false applications to obtain Covid-19 relief money’: Indian-origin US businessman sentenced to six years for fraud

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

An Indian-origin businessman, Rahul Shah, from Chicago, was sentenced to six years in prison for his role in schemes to defraud banks and obtain pandemic relief funds, federal prosecutors said.Rahul Shah, 56, of Evanston, was also sentenced to two years of supervised release and ordered to pay $23,226,005 in restitution, according to the US Department…

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संजय कपूर की बहन ने प्रिया सचदेव के खिलाफ कही ये बात NEW DELHI: The legal battle over the estate of late industrialist Sunjay Kapur has intensified after his wife, Priya Sachdev Kapur, filed a criminal defamation complaint against his sister, Mandhira Kapur Smith, and another individual.She alleged that a series of statements by her sister-in-law—spread across podcasts, social media, media interviews, and republished online content—amount to a “sustained and deliberate campaign to damage my reputation.”The complaint, filed before the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate at Delhi’s Patiala House Courts, contended that Mandhira Kapur Smith’s remarks contain “false assertions, insinuations and personal attacks presented as established facts, despite the issues being sub judice, thereby causing serious reputational harm.”Priya Kapur’s lawyer Maninder Singh submitted that such conduct “squarely attracts the offence of criminal defamation under the applicable law.”The filing of the defamation case follows recent developments in related proceedings, in which the court sought a response from actor Karisma Kapoor, Sunjay Kapur’s former wife, on a plea filed by Priya Kapur seeking certified copies of divorce-related court records involving the late industrialist.Amid this backdrop, Mandhira Kapur Smith made public remarks to the media questioning Priya Kapur’s “conduct and motives.”She stated that if her brother had intended to share certain information, he would have done so during the marriage, and added that divorce proceedings are confidential, especially when children are involved.Priya Kapur has alleged that these statements are part of the “defamatory material” cited in her complaint and has approached the court seeking criminal action for the alleged damage to her reputation.Sunjay Kapur passed away in June last year at the age of 53 after collapsing during a polo match in the UK. His first marriage was to designer Nandita Maithani, and at the time of his death, his net worth was estimated at around .3 billion (Rs 10,300 crore).Priya Kapur was previously married to hotelier Vikram Chatwal.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPM Modi Targets Mamata, Declares ‘Asli Poribortan’ In Malda, Says Bengal Needs BJP For Development‘Protecting Rohingyas And Bangladeshis’: BJP MP Sambit Patra Slams Bengal CM Mamata BanerjeePM Modi Flags Off India’s First Vande Bharat Sleeper Train Between Howrah-Guwahati In BengalEurope Looks East As Italian Envoy Bartoli Calls India Key Partner Amid Global Chaos And Trade WarsWhy Donald Trump’s Gaza Peace Board Has Indian-Origin Former Banker And Padma Shri Ajay BangaArunachal Pradesh: 1 Tourist Dead, Another Missing As Ice Cracks On Frozen Sela LakeReza Pahlavi Highlights India As Key Partner For A Democratic Iran In Energy Technology And TradePakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif Vows To Defeat Terrorism Amid Lashkar And Jaish’s Terror Threats To India’We’re Ancient People’: Ex-Singapore FM Yeo Urges India, China, ASEAN To Revive Panchsheel For PeaceDonald Trump Cites India Pakistan Ceasefire While Defending Nobel Gesture But Facts Raise Questions123PhotostoriesTravel influencer Shenaz Treasury recommends these 6 places women must travel to in 2026; safe, stunning and solo-friendlyBigg Boss Tamil 9: From wild card to finalist—Divya’s emotional and eventful journey inside the house5 places around the world that witness the largest animal gatherings’Border 2′: Real life inspirations for Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan and Diljit Dosanjh’s roles revealed7 simple habits to make kids respect and listen to you10 traditional and regional Indian biscuits perfect for evening chaiJim Carrey birthday special: Top films streaming on OTT you should not missBigg Boss Tamil 9: From first entrant to finalist—Aurora’s emotional and eventful journey inside the house5 incredible human abilities you didn’t know you already have8 delicious lunch dishes made with leftover dal tadka123Hot PicksMaharashtra Election ResultsBudget 2026Gold rate todayBank holiday todayVande Bharat sleeperPublic holidays January 2026Bank Holidays JanuaryTop TrendingGracie HuntTravis KelceKlay ThomponTyus JonesLebron JamesMaharashtra Civic Poll WinnersStuart SkinnerJack EichelDana WhiteRafael Nadal Net Worth

संजय कपूर की बहन ने प्रिया सचदेव के खिलाफ कही ये बात NEW DELHI: The legal battle over the estate of late industrialist Sunjay Kapur has intensified after his wife, Priya Sachdev Kapur, filed a criminal defamation complaint against his sister, Mandhira Kapur Smith, and another individual.She alleged that a series of statements by her sister-in-law—spread across podcasts, social media, media interviews, and republished online content—amount to a “sustained and deliberate campaign to damage my reputation.”The complaint, filed before the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate at Delhi’s Patiala House Courts, contended that Mandhira Kapur Smith’s remarks contain “false assertions, insinuations and personal attacks presented as established facts, despite the issues being sub judice, thereby causing serious reputational harm.”Priya Kapur’s lawyer Maninder Singh submitted that such conduct “squarely attracts the offence of criminal defamation under the applicable law.”The filing of the defamation case follows recent developments in related proceedings, in which the court sought a response from actor Karisma Kapoor, Sunjay Kapur’s former wife, on a plea filed by Priya Kapur seeking certified copies of divorce-related court records involving the late industrialist.Amid this backdrop, Mandhira Kapur Smith made public remarks to the media questioning Priya Kapur’s “conduct and motives.”She stated that if her brother had intended to share certain information, he would have done so during the marriage, and added that divorce proceedings are confidential, especially when children are involved.Priya Kapur has alleged that these statements are part of the “defamatory material” cited in her complaint and has approached the court seeking criminal action for the alleged damage to her reputation.Sunjay Kapur passed away in June last year at the age of 53 after collapsing during a polo match in the UK. His first marriage was to designer Nandita Maithani, and at the time of his death, his net worth was estimated at around $1.3 billion (Rs 10,300 crore).Priya Kapur was previously married to hotelier Vikram Chatwal.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPM Modi Targets Mamata, Declares ‘Asli Poribortan’ In Malda, Says Bengal Needs BJP For Development‘Protecting Rohingyas And Bangladeshis’: BJP MP Sambit Patra Slams Bengal CM Mamata BanerjeePM Modi Flags Off India’s First Vande Bharat Sleeper Train Between Howrah-Guwahati In BengalEurope Looks East As Italian Envoy Bartoli Calls India Key Partner Amid Global Chaos And Trade WarsWhy Donald Trump’s Gaza Peace Board Has Indian-Origin Former Banker And Padma Shri Ajay BangaArunachal Pradesh: 1 Tourist Dead, Another Missing As Ice Cracks On Frozen Sela LakeReza Pahlavi Highlights India As Key Partner For A Democratic Iran In Energy Technology And TradePakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif Vows To Defeat Terrorism Amid Lashkar And Jaish’s Terror Threats To India’We’re Ancient People’: Ex-Singapore FM Yeo Urges India, China, ASEAN To Revive Panchsheel For PeaceDonald Trump Cites India Pakistan Ceasefire While Defending Nobel Gesture But Facts Raise Questions123PhotostoriesTravel influencer Shenaz Treasury recommends these 6 places women must travel to in 2026; safe, stunning and solo-friendlyBigg Boss Tamil 9: From wild card to finalist—Divya’s emotional and eventful journey inside the house5 places around the world that witness the largest animal gatherings’Border 2′: Real life inspirations for Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan and Diljit Dosanjh’s roles revealed7 simple habits to make kids respect and listen to you10 traditional and regional Indian biscuits perfect for evening chaiJim Carrey birthday special: Top films streaming on OTT you should not missBigg Boss Tamil 9: From first entrant to finalist—Aurora’s emotional and eventful journey inside the house5 incredible human abilities you didn’t know you already have8 delicious lunch dishes made with leftover dal tadka123Hot PicksMaharashtra Election ResultsBudget 2026Gold rate todayBank holiday todayVande Bharat sleeperPublic holidays January 2026Bank Holidays JanuaryTop TrendingGracie HuntTravis KelceKlay ThomponTyus JonesLebron JamesMaharashtra Civic Poll WinnersStuart SkinnerJack EichelDana WhiteRafael Nadal Net Worth

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

संजय कपूर की बहन ने प्रिया सचदेव के खिलाफ कही ये बात NEW DELHI: The legal battle over the estate of late industrialist Sunjay Kapur has intensified after his wife, Priya Sachdev Kapur, filed a criminal defamation complaint against his sister, Mandhira Kapur Smith, and another individual.She alleged that a series of statements by her…

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Jan 17, 2026, 16:10 IST

Jan 17, 2026, 16:10 IST

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

NEW DELHI: India captain Ayush Mhatre and Bangladesh vice-captain Zawad Abrar skipped the customary handshake at the toss ahead of their Group A clash in the ICC Under-19 World Cup at the Queens Sports Club on Saturday, underlining the strain in relations between the two neighbouring nations.The toss was delayed by over 15 minutes due…

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JEE Main 2026 admit card released: Check direct link, how to access session 1 hall ticket here

JEE Main 2026 admit card released: Check direct link, how to access session 1 hall ticket here

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially released the JEE Main 2026 January session admit card. Candidates who have registered for the exam can now download their hall ticket from the official website jeemain.nta.ac.in using their application number and date of birth. The admit card is mandatory for entry into the examination centre, and no…

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Javed Akhtar reacts to AR Rahman’s ‘communal’ remark, Shobhaa De calls it a ‘dangerous comment’

Javed Akhtar reacts to AR Rahman’s ‘communal’ remark, Shobhaa De calls it a ‘dangerous comment’

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

AR Rahman’s recent comments have sparked a discussion in the industry. The Oscar winning composer said in an interview that since the last eight years, he has got lesser opportunities in Bollywood. He hinted that the reason for that could be the industry becoming communal. This has led to several industry insiders think about it…

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Rahu Horoscope Today (January 17, 2025): Stars Force You to Break the Rules—Are You Brave Enough?

Rahu Horoscope Today (January 17, 2025): Stars Force You to Break the Rules—Are You Brave Enough?

Vamsikrishna05 mins mins

Horoscope Today (Aaj Ka Rashifal): The movement of Rahu through Aquarius and Ketu’s position in Leo creates a strong karmic axis that indicates the interplay of thoughts, ambitions, and ego. This planetary alignment brings about changes in focus, sudden insights, and personal trials. The day-to-day has very slight differences, but the basic energies of letting…

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‘Supriya dreamed of becoming nurse’: Indian-origin man Vikrant Thakur admits killing wife in Australia court, pleads not guilty to murder

‘Supriya dreamed of becoming nurse’: Indian-origin man Vikrant Thakur admits killing wife in Australia court, pleads not guilty to murder

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Indian-origin Vikrant Thakur, who was charged with the murder of his wife, Supriya Thakur, confessed that he killed her in Australia’s Adelaide Magistrates Court. Supriya, 36, was found dead at a residence in the northern suburbs of Adelaide, Australia, on December 21 after authorities responded to reports of a domestic assault.Vikrant was reportedly apprehended at…

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Thackeray cousins (PTI photo/File) Another page was added to India’s political history on Friday, capturing the event that will echo through the corridors of power and serve as a reminder that even a slight strategic misstep can unravel a hold on power built over decades.Having first lost the father-founded Shiv Sena, Uddhav Thackeray has now ceded his last power citadel, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), a civic fortress once ruled unhindered by Bal Thackeray. In Asia’s richest civic polls, the Thackeray “brand” of politics had one of its key equities missing. Hindutva. BJP-Alliance Sweeps BMC Polls, Thackeray Reunion Flops; Rahul Slams EC Over ‘Ink Mark’ RowWhile Uddhav Thackeray never expressed hostility towards Hindutva, even after aligning with the Congress and Sharad Pawar’s NCP, he struggled to step into his father’s shoes in carrying the ideological banner, which Eknath Shinde wore on his sleeve after splitting the party in the 2023 rebellion.By contrast, Uddhav’s attempt to reset the party’s ideological compass by leaning heavily on Marathi manoos and regional pride, and to give it momentum by aligning with his estranged cousin Raj Thackeray, ultimately ended in a damp squib.Marathi asmita: ApuriThe Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) and Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) combine had framed the BMC polls as a battle to “save the Marathi manoos” and Mumbai, projecting the contest as both an assertion of regional pride and a referendum on the Thackeray legacy.The reunion of Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray after nearly two decades was billed as an acid test for the Thackeray brand. Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray with other party members during a joint BMC Election Campaign Rally, in Mumbai. (ANI photo)While sections of the Marathi electorate did rally behind the cousins, the consolidation fell short of what was required to retain control of the civic body.The ‘save Marathis’ narrative appeared to have a limited electoral pull. The combine managed to hold on to pockets of south and central Mumbai and parts of the western and eastern suburbs, including Dadar-Mahim, Worli, Dindoshi, Bhandup, Vikhroli and Bandra East.However, it failed to make inroads into BJP-dominated constituencies such as Colaba, Bandra West, Andheri West, Borivli, and Dahisar. Political observers noted that a significant section of the city’s upwardly mobile Maharashtrian voters, particularly in the western suburbs, gravitated towards the BJP. BJP workers celebrating outside party office in Mumbai after the massive victory in the BMC polls.The underperformance of Shiv Sena (UBT) was compounded by the MNS’s poor showing. The MNS ended up in single digits, dragging down the overall Thackeray tally and underlining the limits of the reunion’s electoral impact.In September, Uddhav Thackeray himself had described the BMC election as a decisive test. Sena (UBT) contested 163 seats, the MNS 53, while the BJP fielded candidates in 137 wards and Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena in 90. BMC seat share of political partiesBJP-led Mahayuti crossed the halfway mark of 114 in the 227-member body, but not by much. BJP won 89 seats and Shinde’s Shiv Sena 29 to gain a narrow lead. In effect, the BJP will need Eknath Shinde’s backing for big decisions.The Uddhav-Raj Thackeray combine won 71 seats (Uddhav’s Sena winning 65 and Raj Thackeray’s MNS taking 6), retaining a large chunk of wards in the city’s Marathi heartland.Although Sena (UBT) did receive backing from Muslim voters, with two candidates from the community winning, the support was far weaker than in the 2024 Lok Sabha and assembly elections, largely because the Congress was no longer part of the alliance. BJP tops strike rateThackeray’s pivot to HindutvaWhen Bal Thackeray founded the Shiv Sena in 1966, the party was not conceived as a Hindutva platform. Its political grammar was rooted firmly in Marathi identity and regional assertion. The Sena positioned itself as the voice of the Marathi manoos in an increasingly cosmopolitan Bombay, railing against perceived economic and cultural marginalisation. Shiv Sena Chief Balasaheb Thackeray addressing a Dussera meeting at Shivaji Park in Bombay on October 12, 1986. (Photo: Times content)Its early campaigns focused on securing jobs for locals, resisting the dominance of South Indian migrants in the city’s clerical and industrial workforce, and asserting linguistic and cultural primacy. Hindu nationalism, at this stage, was peripheral rather than foundational.This began to change as India’s political landscape evolved in the late 1970s and 1980s. The slow erosion of Congress dominance, coupled with the rise of the BJP, altered the ideological marketplace. The mobilisation around the Ram Janmabhoomi movement created space for a more assertive Hindu political identity, particularly in urban centres. Bal Thackeray, a keen reader of political mood and mass sentiment, consciously pivoted to occupy this space. Hindutva stalwarts (from left) Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Balasaheb Thackeray, Lal Krishna Advani and Vijayaraje Scindia at a dinner hosted by the Maharashtra state unit of Bharatiya Janata Party on Septemebr 24, 1989 in Bombay. (Photo: Times content)By the early 1990s, especially during the period surrounding the Babri Masjid movement, Hindutva had moved from the margins to the centre of the Sena’s politics. The party formally aligned with the BJP, and Bal Thackeray emerged as one of the most unapologetic and influential mass leaders of the Hindutva movement. Crucially, he did not abandon Marathi identity in this shift; instead, he layered Hindutva over Marathi asmita, fusing the two into a single, emotionally charged political narrative.This fusion proved potent. It gave the Shiv Sena ideological clarity, street-level mobilisation, and cross-community appeal within Mumbai’s Hindu electorate. Bal Thackeray did not inherit Hindutva as a founding principle; he evolved into it. His political success lay in recognising that Marathi pride alone had limits, and that when combined with Hindutva, it could be transformed into a durable and expansive political brand.Thackeray’s devolution from HindutvaUnlike his father, Uddhav Thackeray did not abandon Hindutva in one decisive moment. His departure was incremental and tactical, shaped more by political compulsion than ideological conviction. For much of his early political career, Uddhav remained within the broad Hindutva framework laid down by Bal Thackeray, often projecting himself as a custodian rather than an innovator of the Sena’s legacy.The first visible shift came after the 2019 Maharashtra assembly elections, when Uddhav broke with the BJP and stitched together an “unlikely alliance” with the Congress and the NCP. The formation of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government required ideological accommodation, and Hindutva, once the Sena’s most assertive plank, was deliberately softened. The rhetoric gave way to the language of governance, secular inclusivity and constitutionalism, signalling a recalibration rather than an outright rejection. Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray with NCP-SP chief Sharad Pawar, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) meeting in Mumbai, 2023. (ANI)This softening deepened during Uddhav’s tenure as chief minister. While he never publicly disowned Hindutva, he also stopped aggressively articulating it. Temple politics, street mobilisation, and confrontational cultural messaging, hallmarks of Bal Thackeray’s style, were conspicuously absent. Instead, Uddhav leaned into administrative legitimacy and coalition management, seeking to broaden the Sena’s appeal beyond its traditional base.However, this ideological dilution created a vacuum. The Sena’s core voters, long accustomed to ideological clarity, were left uncertain about what the party stood for. That ambiguity proved costly when Eknath Shinde split the party and openly reclaimed Hindutva as its defining identity. By positioning himself as the inheritor of Bal Thackeray’s ideological legacy, Shinde offered continuity at a moment when Uddhav appeared to be reimagining the Sena without fully replacing its ideological core.In the end, Uddhav’s deviation from Hindutva was not about renunciation but about subtraction without substitution. And in a political ecosystem built on legacy and emotional mobilisation, that proved to be a strategic miscalculation.The Thackeray reunionThe reunion of Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray ahead of the BMC polls was less a moment of sentiment and more an act of political necessity. For nearly two decades, the Thackeray cousins had travelled divergent paths, divided by personal rivalry and competing claims over the Marathi political space. But the BMC election altered the calculus. Having lost the Shiv Sena and facing a weakened organisational base, Uddhav Thackeray needed a fresh axis of mobilisation. Raj Thackeray, struggling with electoral irrelevance and a shrinking footprint, needed relevance. The reunion was thus driven by a convergence of weakness rather than shared resurgence.Together, they sought to revive the original Thackeray “brand of politics” that included Marathi manoos, regional pride, and cultural ownership of Mumbai. The pitch was deliberately crafted to bypass Hindutva and instead reclaim the emotional terrain of Marathi asmita, projecting the BMC polls as a fight to “save Mumbai” and protect Maharashtrian interests. The symbolism of the cousins sharing a platform after 20 years was meant to signal unity, closure, and a consolidated Marathi vote bank. BMC elections in numbersBoth the Thackerays, recalling the 1961 Samyukta Maharashtra movement in which their grandfather, late Prabodhankar Thackeray, participated, claimed that the BJP was planning to separate Mumbai from Maharashtra and merge it with Gujarat.Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, who led the BJP’s campaign, refuted the charge. Speaking in Nashik on January 11 and then again at Shivtirth in Mumbai the next day, Fadnavis made it a point to repeatedly refute these claims and ensured that Thackerays’ Mumbai and Marathi “asmita” (pride) and “astitva” (existence) card does not stick this time around.Thackerays’ arguments about growing unemployment and neglect of “son-of the soils” were counter-punched with a “Global Mumbai” narrative by Fadnavis. Also, BJP fielded over 90 Marathi candidates for the BMC and announced that the next mayor of BMC will be Marathi.The ‘pungi-bajao’ politicsThe Thackerays’ push for regional identity turned so intense that Thackeray mockingly referred to the BJP leader K Annamalai as “rasmalai” and questioned his standing to speak on issues related to Mumbai. Thackeray attacked Annamalai for suggesting that Mumbai is an “international city”. He also referred to his uncle Bal Thackeray’s “Hatao lungi, bajao pungi” slogan from the 1960s and 1970s.“One rasmalai came from Tamil Nadu… what is your connection to here? Hatao lungi, bajao pungi,” Thackeray said at a joint UBT–MNS rally in Mumbai. Raj Thackeray’s remark on K AnnamalaiAdditionally, Thackeray also said that he would “kick” people from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh out of Maharashtra if they “try to impose Hindi”.In July last year, the Thackeray brothers held an “Awaz Marathicha” rally to oppose what they called the state government’s bid to “impose” Hindi over Maharashtra.”We have come together to stay together”, Uddhav Thackeray said while addressing the gathering.Raj Thackeray launched a veiled attack on Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and said the CM did what even Balasaheb Thackeray could not — bring the two estranged brothers together.Thackerays also shared a hug at the joint rally after the Maharashtra government scrapped two Government Resolutions (GRs) to introduce Hindi as the third language.”The Maharashtra Government rolled back the decision on the three-language formula due to the strong unity shown by Marathi people. This decision was a precursor to the plan of separating Mumbai from Maharashtra,” the MNS chief said with Uddhav seated on the stage.Attacking the BJP-led Mahayuti during his address, Raj Thackeray said: “How did they suddenly bring in the imposition of Hindi without any discussion? For what purpose, and for whom? This is an injustice to young children. Without any consultation, you’re trying to force it upon us. You may rule the assembly – but we rule the streets.”However, the reunion came with structural limits. While it generated attention and nostalgia, it failed to translate into a city-wide electoral wave.The limits of legacyThe BMC verdict laid bare the limits of legacy politics in a city that has steadily changed its political expectations. The Thackerays managed to revive old memories and emotional connect through unity, rallies and a renewed push for Marathi identity, but nostalgia alone could not compensate for the absence of a clear and contemporary ideological anchor. Mumbai’s electorate has grown more aspirational and diverse, and it appears less willing to rally behind a single, narrow identity pitch. What went against ThackeraysFor Uddhav Thackeray, the defeat completed a slow political unravelling, from losing the father-founded Shiv Sena to ceding control of the civic institution that once symbolised Bal Thackeray’s unquestioned authority. For Raj Thackeray, the outcome reinforced the challenge of converting sharp rhetoric into electoral relevance. Their reunion sent a message of solidarity, but solidarity without organisational depth and ideological clarity fell short.Ultimately, the BMC result was not merely about seats or numbers. It signalled a deeper shift in Mumbai’s politics, where legacy and sentiment must now contend with a demand for sharper purpose and direction.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPM Modi Flags Off India’s First Vande Bharat Sleeper Train Between Howrah-Guwahati In BengalEurope Looks East As Italian Envoy Bartoli Calls India Key Partner Amid Global Chaos And Trade WarsWhy Donald Trump’s Gaza Peace Board Has Indian-Origin Former Banker And Padma Shri Ajay BangaArunachal Pradesh: 1 Tourist Dead, Another Missing As Ice Cracks On Frozen Sela LakeReza Pahlavi Highlights India As Key Partner For A Democratic Iran In Energy Technology And TradePakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif Vows To Defeat Terrorism Amid Lashkar And Jaish’s Terror Threats To India’We’re Ancient People’: Ex-Singapore FM Yeo Urges India, China, ASEAN To Revive Panchsheel For PeaceDonald Trump Cites India Pakistan Ceasefire While Defending Nobel Gesture But Facts Raise QuestionsIndia Acts As Iran Burns: First Batch of Citizens Return Home After Advisory Amid Violent ProtestsDevendra Fadnavis Says BJP Created History in Maharashtra Civic Elections123Photostories10 traditional and regional Indian biscuits perfect for evening chaiJim Carrey birthday special: Top films streaming on OTT you should not missBigg Boss Tamil 9: From first entrant to finalist—Aurora’s emotional and eventful journey inside the houseTravel influencer Shenaz Treasury recommends these 6 places women must travel to in 2026; safe, stunning and solo-friendly5 incredible human abilities you didn’t know you already have8 delicious lunch dishes made with leftover dal tadkaEgg attacks, FIRs, Internal Turmoil: AIMIM’s dramatic Maharashtra civic poll journey; bags 126 seatsThackeray cousins keep grip on Marathi heartland despite Mahayuti surge9 ⁠daily habits to sharpen brain, boost focus and memory, reveals Dr Pal Manickam5 countries with the highest cost of living in the world123Hot PicksMaharashtra Election ResultsBudget 2026Gold rate todayBank holiday todayVande Bharat sleeperPublic holidays January 2026Bank Holidays JanuaryTop TrendingGracie HuntTravis KelceKlay ThomponTyus JonesLebron JamesMaharashtra Civic Poll WinnersStuart SkinnerJack EichelDana WhiteRafael Nadal Net Worth

Thackeray cousins (PTI photo/File) Another page was added to India’s political history on Friday, capturing the event that will echo through the corridors of power and serve as a reminder that even a slight strategic misstep can unravel a hold on power built over decades.Having first lost the father-founded Shiv Sena, Uddhav Thackeray has now ceded his last power citadel, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), a civic fortress once ruled unhindered by Bal Thackeray. In Asia’s richest civic polls, the Thackeray “brand” of politics had one of its key equities missing. Hindutva. BJP-Alliance Sweeps BMC Polls, Thackeray Reunion Flops; Rahul Slams EC Over ‘Ink Mark’ RowWhile Uddhav Thackeray never expressed hostility towards Hindutva, even after aligning with the Congress and Sharad Pawar’s NCP, he struggled to step into his father’s shoes in carrying the ideological banner, which Eknath Shinde wore on his sleeve after splitting the party in the 2023 rebellion.By contrast, Uddhav’s attempt to reset the party’s ideological compass by leaning heavily on Marathi manoos and regional pride, and to give it momentum by aligning with his estranged cousin Raj Thackeray, ultimately ended in a damp squib.Marathi asmita: ApuriThe Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) and Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) combine had framed the BMC polls as a battle to “save the Marathi manoos” and Mumbai, projecting the contest as both an assertion of regional pride and a referendum on the Thackeray legacy.The reunion of Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray after nearly two decades was billed as an acid test for the Thackeray brand. Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray with other party members during a joint BMC Election Campaign Rally, in Mumbai. (ANI photo)While sections of the Marathi electorate did rally behind the cousins, the consolidation fell short of what was required to retain control of the civic body.The ‘save Marathis’ narrative appeared to have a limited electoral pull. The combine managed to hold on to pockets of south and central Mumbai and parts of the western and eastern suburbs, including Dadar-Mahim, Worli, Dindoshi, Bhandup, Vikhroli and Bandra East.However, it failed to make inroads into BJP-dominated constituencies such as Colaba, Bandra West, Andheri West, Borivli, and Dahisar. Political observers noted that a significant section of the city’s upwardly mobile Maharashtrian voters, particularly in the western suburbs, gravitated towards the BJP. BJP workers celebrating outside party office in Mumbai after the massive victory in the BMC polls.The underperformance of Shiv Sena (UBT) was compounded by the MNS’s poor showing. The MNS ended up in single digits, dragging down the overall Thackeray tally and underlining the limits of the reunion’s electoral impact.In September, Uddhav Thackeray himself had described the BMC election as a decisive test. Sena (UBT) contested 163 seats, the MNS 53, while the BJP fielded candidates in 137 wards and Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena in 90. BMC seat share of political partiesBJP-led Mahayuti crossed the halfway mark of 114 in the 227-member body, but not by much. BJP won 89 seats and Shinde’s Shiv Sena 29 to gain a narrow lead. In effect, the BJP will need Eknath Shinde’s backing for big decisions.The Uddhav-Raj Thackeray combine won 71 seats (Uddhav’s Sena winning 65 and Raj Thackeray’s MNS taking 6), retaining a large chunk of wards in the city’s Marathi heartland.Although Sena (UBT) did receive backing from Muslim voters, with two candidates from the community winning, the support was far weaker than in the 2024 Lok Sabha and assembly elections, largely because the Congress was no longer part of the alliance. BJP tops strike rateThackeray’s pivot to HindutvaWhen Bal Thackeray founded the Shiv Sena in 1966, the party was not conceived as a Hindutva platform. Its political grammar was rooted firmly in Marathi identity and regional assertion. The Sena positioned itself as the voice of the Marathi manoos in an increasingly cosmopolitan Bombay, railing against perceived economic and cultural marginalisation. Shiv Sena Chief Balasaheb Thackeray addressing a Dussera meeting at Shivaji Park in Bombay on October 12, 1986. (Photo: Times content)Its early campaigns focused on securing jobs for locals, resisting the dominance of South Indian migrants in the city’s clerical and industrial workforce, and asserting linguistic and cultural primacy. Hindu nationalism, at this stage, was peripheral rather than foundational.This began to change as India’s political landscape evolved in the late 1970s and 1980s. The slow erosion of Congress dominance, coupled with the rise of the BJP, altered the ideological marketplace. The mobilisation around the Ram Janmabhoomi movement created space for a more assertive Hindu political identity, particularly in urban centres. Bal Thackeray, a keen reader of political mood and mass sentiment, consciously pivoted to occupy this space. Hindutva stalwarts (from left) Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Balasaheb Thackeray, Lal Krishna Advani and Vijayaraje Scindia at a dinner hosted by the Maharashtra state unit of Bharatiya Janata Party on Septemebr 24, 1989 in Bombay. (Photo: Times content)By the early 1990s, especially during the period surrounding the Babri Masjid movement, Hindutva had moved from the margins to the centre of the Sena’s politics. The party formally aligned with the BJP, and Bal Thackeray emerged as one of the most unapologetic and influential mass leaders of the Hindutva movement. Crucially, he did not abandon Marathi identity in this shift; instead, he layered Hindutva over Marathi asmita, fusing the two into a single, emotionally charged political narrative.This fusion proved potent. It gave the Shiv Sena ideological clarity, street-level mobilisation, and cross-community appeal within Mumbai’s Hindu electorate. Bal Thackeray did not inherit Hindutva as a founding principle; he evolved into it. His political success lay in recognising that Marathi pride alone had limits, and that when combined with Hindutva, it could be transformed into a durable and expansive political brand.Thackeray’s devolution from HindutvaUnlike his father, Uddhav Thackeray did not abandon Hindutva in one decisive moment. His departure was incremental and tactical, shaped more by political compulsion than ideological conviction. For much of his early political career, Uddhav remained within the broad Hindutva framework laid down by Bal Thackeray, often projecting himself as a custodian rather than an innovator of the Sena’s legacy.The first visible shift came after the 2019 Maharashtra assembly elections, when Uddhav broke with the BJP and stitched together an “unlikely alliance” with the Congress and the NCP. The formation of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government required ideological accommodation, and Hindutva, once the Sena’s most assertive plank, was deliberately softened. The rhetoric gave way to the language of governance, secular inclusivity and constitutionalism, signalling a recalibration rather than an outright rejection. Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray with NCP-SP chief Sharad Pawar, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) meeting in Mumbai, 2023. (ANI)This softening deepened during Uddhav’s tenure as chief minister. While he never publicly disowned Hindutva, he also stopped aggressively articulating it. Temple politics, street mobilisation, and confrontational cultural messaging, hallmarks of Bal Thackeray’s style, were conspicuously absent. Instead, Uddhav leaned into administrative legitimacy and coalition management, seeking to broaden the Sena’s appeal beyond its traditional base.However, this ideological dilution created a vacuum. The Sena’s core voters, long accustomed to ideological clarity, were left uncertain about what the party stood for. That ambiguity proved costly when Eknath Shinde split the party and openly reclaimed Hindutva as its defining identity. By positioning himself as the inheritor of Bal Thackeray’s ideological legacy, Shinde offered continuity at a moment when Uddhav appeared to be reimagining the Sena without fully replacing its ideological core.In the end, Uddhav’s deviation from Hindutva was not about renunciation but about subtraction without substitution. And in a political ecosystem built on legacy and emotional mobilisation, that proved to be a strategic miscalculation.The Thackeray reunionThe reunion of Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray ahead of the BMC polls was less a moment of sentiment and more an act of political necessity. For nearly two decades, the Thackeray cousins had travelled divergent paths, divided by personal rivalry and competing claims over the Marathi political space. But the BMC election altered the calculus. Having lost the Shiv Sena and facing a weakened organisational base, Uddhav Thackeray needed a fresh axis of mobilisation. Raj Thackeray, struggling with electoral irrelevance and a shrinking footprint, needed relevance. The reunion was thus driven by a convergence of weakness rather than shared resurgence.Together, they sought to revive the original Thackeray “brand of politics” that included Marathi manoos, regional pride, and cultural ownership of Mumbai. The pitch was deliberately crafted to bypass Hindutva and instead reclaim the emotional terrain of Marathi asmita, projecting the BMC polls as a fight to “save Mumbai” and protect Maharashtrian interests. The symbolism of the cousins sharing a platform after 20 years was meant to signal unity, closure, and a consolidated Marathi vote bank. BMC elections in numbersBoth the Thackerays, recalling the 1961 Samyukta Maharashtra movement in which their grandfather, late Prabodhankar Thackeray, participated, claimed that the BJP was planning to separate Mumbai from Maharashtra and merge it with Gujarat.Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, who led the BJP’s campaign, refuted the charge. Speaking in Nashik on January 11 and then again at Shivtirth in Mumbai the next day, Fadnavis made it a point to repeatedly refute these claims and ensured that Thackerays’ Mumbai and Marathi “asmita” (pride) and “astitva” (existence) card does not stick this time around.Thackerays’ arguments about growing unemployment and neglect of “son-of the soils” were counter-punched with a “Global Mumbai” narrative by Fadnavis. Also, BJP fielded over 90 Marathi candidates for the BMC and announced that the next mayor of BMC will be Marathi.The ‘pungi-bajao’ politicsThe Thackerays’ push for regional identity turned so intense that Thackeray mockingly referred to the BJP leader K Annamalai as “rasmalai” and questioned his standing to speak on issues related to Mumbai. Thackeray attacked Annamalai for suggesting that Mumbai is an “international city”. He also referred to his uncle Bal Thackeray’s “Hatao lungi, bajao pungi” slogan from the 1960s and 1970s.“One rasmalai came from Tamil Nadu… what is your connection to here? Hatao lungi, bajao pungi,” Thackeray said at a joint UBT–MNS rally in Mumbai. Raj Thackeray’s remark on K AnnamalaiAdditionally, Thackeray also said that he would “kick” people from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh out of Maharashtra if they “try to impose Hindi”.In July last year, the Thackeray brothers held an “Awaz Marathicha” rally to oppose what they called the state government’s bid to “impose” Hindi over Maharashtra.”We have come together to stay together”, Uddhav Thackeray said while addressing the gathering.Raj Thackeray launched a veiled attack on Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and said the CM did what even Balasaheb Thackeray could not — bring the two estranged brothers together.Thackerays also shared a hug at the joint rally after the Maharashtra government scrapped two Government Resolutions (GRs) to introduce Hindi as the third language.”The Maharashtra Government rolled back the decision on the three-language formula due to the strong unity shown by Marathi people. This decision was a precursor to the plan of separating Mumbai from Maharashtra,” the MNS chief said with Uddhav seated on the stage.Attacking the BJP-led Mahayuti during his address, Raj Thackeray said: “How did they suddenly bring in the imposition of Hindi without any discussion? For what purpose, and for whom? This is an injustice to young children. Without any consultation, you’re trying to force it upon us. You may rule the assembly – but we rule the streets.”However, the reunion came with structural limits. While it generated attention and nostalgia, it failed to translate into a city-wide electoral wave.The limits of legacyThe BMC verdict laid bare the limits of legacy politics in a city that has steadily changed its political expectations. The Thackerays managed to revive old memories and emotional connect through unity, rallies and a renewed push for Marathi identity, but nostalgia alone could not compensate for the absence of a clear and contemporary ideological anchor. Mumbai’s electorate has grown more aspirational and diverse, and it appears less willing to rally behind a single, narrow identity pitch. What went against ThackeraysFor Uddhav Thackeray, the defeat completed a slow political unravelling, from losing the father-founded Shiv Sena to ceding control of the civic institution that once symbolised Bal Thackeray’s unquestioned authority. For Raj Thackeray, the outcome reinforced the challenge of converting sharp rhetoric into electoral relevance. Their reunion sent a message of solidarity, but solidarity without organisational depth and ideological clarity fell short.Ultimately, the BMC result was not merely about seats or numbers. It signalled a deeper shift in Mumbai’s politics, where legacy and sentiment must now contend with a demand for sharper purpose and direction.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPM Modi Flags Off India’s First Vande Bharat Sleeper Train Between Howrah-Guwahati In BengalEurope Looks East As Italian Envoy Bartoli Calls India Key Partner Amid Global Chaos And Trade WarsWhy Donald Trump’s Gaza Peace Board Has Indian-Origin Former Banker And Padma Shri Ajay BangaArunachal Pradesh: 1 Tourist Dead, Another Missing As Ice Cracks On Frozen Sela LakeReza Pahlavi Highlights India As Key Partner For A Democratic Iran In Energy Technology And TradePakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif Vows To Defeat Terrorism Amid Lashkar And Jaish’s Terror Threats To India’We’re Ancient People’: Ex-Singapore FM Yeo Urges India, China, ASEAN To Revive Panchsheel For PeaceDonald Trump Cites India Pakistan Ceasefire While Defending Nobel Gesture But Facts Raise QuestionsIndia Acts As Iran Burns: First Batch of Citizens Return Home After Advisory Amid Violent ProtestsDevendra Fadnavis Says BJP Created History in Maharashtra Civic Elections123Photostories10 traditional and regional Indian biscuits perfect for evening chaiJim Carrey birthday special: Top films streaming on OTT you should not missBigg Boss Tamil 9: From first entrant to finalist—Aurora’s emotional and eventful journey inside the houseTravel influencer Shenaz Treasury recommends these 6 places women must travel to in 2026; safe, stunning and solo-friendly5 incredible human abilities you didn’t know you already have8 delicious lunch dishes made with leftover dal tadkaEgg attacks, FIRs, Internal Turmoil: AIMIM’s dramatic Maharashtra civic poll journey; bags 126 seatsThackeray cousins keep grip on Marathi heartland despite Mahayuti surge9 ⁠daily habits to sharpen brain, boost focus and memory, reveals Dr Pal Manickam5 countries with the highest cost of living in the world123Hot PicksMaharashtra Election ResultsBudget 2026Gold rate todayBank holiday todayVande Bharat sleeperPublic holidays January 2026Bank Holidays JanuaryTop TrendingGracie HuntTravis KelceKlay ThomponTyus JonesLebron JamesMaharashtra Civic Poll WinnersStuart SkinnerJack EichelDana WhiteRafael Nadal Net Worth

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