August 7, 2026

2026

New Delhi businessman Sanjay Kaushik sentenced in US: Purchased aviation component for India from Oregon; aim was to export to Russia

New Delhi businessman Sanjay Kaushik sentenced in US: Purchased aviation component for India from Oregon; aim was to export to Russia

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Sanjay Kaushik, an Indian man, has been sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for the illegal export of aviation components to Russia via India, violating US security. The Indian-origin man was arrested in Florida in 2024 and has been in custody since then. In 2025, Kaushik pled guilty to conspiring to sell export-controlled aviation…

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NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the Mamata Banerjee government in poll-bound West Bengal of “misrule”, moments after Maharashtra civic poll results showed big victory for Mahayuti.”I look forward to being among the people of Malda and neighbouring areas during the BJP rally tomorrow. Every passing day, some or the other instance of TMC misrule comes to the fore,” he said in a post on X. Calcutta HC Hears ED and TMC Petitions Over I-PAC Raids, ED Moves Supreme Court The prime minister’s remarks come as amid the flashpoint between the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Mamata Banerjee which stems from raids conducted by the central agency on January 8 at the Kolkata office of political consultancy firm I-PAC and the residence of its chief, Pratik Jain. During the operation, ED officials claimed they faced obstruction and interference by the Bengal CM, prompting the agency to approach the Supreme Court.PM Modi is set to visit West Bengal and Assam on January 17 and 18, during which he will flag off India’s first Vande Bharat sleeper train connecting Howrah and Guwahati, inaugurate and launch multiple development projects in the two poll-bound states, and perform the bhoomi pujan for the Kaziranga elevated corridor project.Both Bengal and Assam are set to go to polls this year.He will visit Malda in West Bengal on Saturday at around 12.45pm, where he will flag off India’s first Vande Bharat sleeper train running between Howrah and Guwahati (Kamakhya) from the Malda Town railway station, according to an official statement.On January 18, at about 3 pm, PM Modi will inaugurate, lay foundation stones, and flag off multiple development projects valued at approximately Rs 830 crore in Singur, located in West Bengal’s Hooghly district.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 MediaVideosAs Iran Burns, India Flags Risk To 9,000 Indians, MEA Sets Record Straight On Chabahar Port Exit’North Indian Girls Face Curbs’: DMK MP Sparks Row; Trump Warns Iran of Brutal Action Over KillingsSC Stays FIRs Against ED, Issues Notice To Didi; Raj Thackeray’s Big Bombshell In Mumbai Civic PollsBJP-Alliance Sweeps BMC Polls, Thackeray Reunion Flops; Rahul Slams EC Over ‘Ink Mark’ RowBritish MP Bob Blackman Warns Of Hindu Killings In Bangladesh As Extremism Rises, Democracy FaltersRanchi ED Raid: Jharkhand HC Calls Police Action ‘Pre-Planned’, Orders Security BoostMumbai And Pune Verdict Shake Thackeray And Pawar Dynasties As Legacy Politics Faces Reality CheckPiyush Goyal Says Startup India Generated Over 21 Lakh Jobs, Credits PM ModiMinority Under Fire Hindu Teacher Home Burnt In Bangladesh Sparks India Concern Ahead Of PollsIndia Named Global Growth Engine By IMF, BJP Says Global Data Exposes Rahul Gandhi’s Claim123PhotostoriesVande Bharat Sleeper Launch: How Is New Indian Railways Train Better Than Rajdhani? Top Features & Stunning PhotosHow to make Kerala Chicken Curry at home8 rare baby girl names with powerful meaningsKanjeevaram vs Banarasi silk: Which saree is best for your wedding day?Top 5 Southern Indian fish dishes that are full of flavours and traditionKaran Johar, Sanjay Dutt, Sunny Leone: Bollywood celebrities who welcomed parenthood with twinsSidharth Malhotra birthday special: 5 unforgettable pictures with Kiara Advani that showcase their fairytale romanceThe negotiations every child tries at least once with their parents11 vegetarian kebabs for evening snacking during winter monthsBMC Elections 2026: BJP-Shiv Sena alliance on top, Mumbai set for a new mayor after 4 year delay123Hot PicksMaharashtra Election ResultsBudget 2026Gold rate todayBank holiday todayBMC Election ResultsPublic holidays January 2026Bank Holidays JanuaryTop TrendingMLB Trade RumorsKDMC Election ResultPAK vs ENG Live ScoreJack EichelMira Bhayandar Election ResultPuka Nacuas BrotherMarvel Rivals Season 6 Release DateJohn wolfords net worthDelhi Digital ArrestDelhi Rape and Murder Case

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the Mamata Banerjee government in poll-bound West Bengal of “misrule”, moments after Maharashtra civic poll results showed big victory for Mahayuti.”I look forward to being among the people of Malda and neighbouring areas during the BJP rally tomorrow. Every passing day, some or the other instance of TMC misrule comes to the fore,” he said in a post on X. Calcutta HC Hears ED and TMC Petitions Over I-PAC Raids, ED Moves Supreme Court The prime minister’s remarks come as amid the flashpoint between the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Mamata Banerjee which stems from raids conducted by the central agency on January 8 at the Kolkata office of political consultancy firm I-PAC and the residence of its chief, Pratik Jain. During the operation, ED officials claimed they faced obstruction and interference by the Bengal CM, prompting the agency to approach the Supreme Court.PM Modi is set to visit West Bengal and Assam on January 17 and 18, during which he will flag off India’s first Vande Bharat sleeper train connecting Howrah and Guwahati, inaugurate and launch multiple development projects in the two poll-bound states, and perform the bhoomi pujan for the Kaziranga elevated corridor project.Both Bengal and Assam are set to go to polls this year.He will visit Malda in West Bengal on Saturday at around 12.45pm, where he will flag off India’s first Vande Bharat sleeper train running between Howrah and Guwahati (Kamakhya) from the Malda Town railway station, according to an official statement.On January 18, at about 3 pm, PM Modi will inaugurate, lay foundation stones, and flag off multiple development projects valued at approximately Rs 830 crore in Singur, located in West Bengal’s Hooghly district.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 MediaVideosAs Iran Burns, India Flags Risk To 9,000 Indians, MEA Sets Record Straight On Chabahar Port Exit’North Indian Girls Face Curbs’: DMK MP Sparks Row; Trump Warns Iran of Brutal Action Over KillingsSC Stays FIRs Against ED, Issues Notice To Didi; Raj Thackeray’s Big Bombshell In Mumbai Civic PollsBJP-Alliance Sweeps BMC Polls, Thackeray Reunion Flops; Rahul Slams EC Over ‘Ink Mark’ RowBritish MP Bob Blackman Warns Of Hindu Killings In Bangladesh As Extremism Rises, Democracy FaltersRanchi ED Raid: Jharkhand HC Calls Police Action ‘Pre-Planned’, Orders Security BoostMumbai And Pune Verdict Shake Thackeray And Pawar Dynasties As Legacy Politics Faces Reality CheckPiyush Goyal Says Startup India Generated Over 21 Lakh Jobs, Credits PM ModiMinority Under Fire Hindu Teacher Home Burnt In Bangladesh Sparks India Concern Ahead Of PollsIndia Named Global Growth Engine By IMF, BJP Says Global Data Exposes Rahul Gandhi’s Claim123PhotostoriesVande Bharat Sleeper Launch: How Is New Indian Railways Train Better Than Rajdhani? Top Features & Stunning PhotosHow to make Kerala Chicken Curry at home8 rare baby girl names with powerful meaningsKanjeevaram vs Banarasi silk: Which saree is best for your wedding day?Top 5 Southern Indian fish dishes that are full of flavours and traditionKaran Johar, Sanjay Dutt, Sunny Leone: Bollywood celebrities who welcomed parenthood with twinsSidharth Malhotra birthday special: 5 unforgettable pictures with Kiara Advani that showcase their fairytale romanceThe negotiations every child tries at least once with their parents11 vegetarian kebabs for evening snacking during winter monthsBMC Elections 2026: BJP-Shiv Sena alliance on top, Mumbai set for a new mayor after 4 year delay123Hot PicksMaharashtra Election ResultsBudget 2026Gold rate todayBank holiday todayBMC Election ResultsPublic holidays January 2026Bank Holidays JanuaryTop TrendingMLB Trade RumorsKDMC Election ResultPAK vs ENG Live ScoreJack EichelMira Bhayandar Election ResultPuka Nacuas BrotherMarvel Rivals Season 6 Release DateJohn wolfords net worthDelhi Digital ArrestDelhi Rape and Murder Case

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the Mamata Banerjee government in poll-bound West Bengal of “misrule”, moments after Maharashtra civic poll results showed big victory for Mahayuti.“I look forward to being among the people of Malda and neighbouring areas during the BJP rally tomorrow. Every passing day, some or the other instance of TMC…

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Jan 16, 2026, 10:46 IST

Jan 16, 2026, 10:46 IST

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Ottneil Baartman of Paarl Royals celebrates the wicket of Andre Russell of Pretoria Capitals during match 25 of the Betway SA20 season 4 between Pretoria Capitals (PC) and Paarl Royals (PR) held at the Supersport Park Stadium in Centurion , South Africa on the 15th January 2026. (Photo credit: Arjun Singh / Sportzpics for SA20)…

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Global growth outlook: India powers South Asia as world’s fastest-growing region; WEF survey sees momentum intact

Global growth outlook: India powers South Asia as world’s fastest-growing region; WEF survey sees momentum intact

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

India is set to continue driving South Asia as the world’s brightest growth region even as a majority of global economists brace for weaker economic conditions in 2026, according to the World Economic Forum’s latest Chief Economists Outlook released on Friday.The survey, published ahead of the annual WEF meeting in Davos next week, shows that…

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Sunjay Kapur inheritance feud escalates, Hema Malini shuts down trolls with a smile, Dev Anand’s smoking advice to Shah Rukh Khan: Top 5 newsmakers of the day

Sunjay Kapur inheritance feud escalates, Hema Malini shuts down trolls with a smile, Dev Anand’s smoking advice to Shah Rukh Khan: Top 5 newsmakers of the day

Vamsikrishna04 mins mins

January 16, 2026, brought a flurry of Bollywood headlines: Sunjay Kapur’s Rs 30,000 crore inheritance feud reached the Supreme Court, Junaid Khan’s Ek Din poster faced plagiarism claims, Hema Malini shut trolls with a smile, Dev Anand’s advice to SRK resurfaced, and Kartik Aaryan reportedly took a Rs 15 crore pay cut. January 16, 2026,…

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“My last season was tough”: Tom Brady opens up about how his divorce from Gisele Bündchen influenced the final stretch of his football career

“My last season was tough”: Tom Brady opens up about how his divorce from Gisele Bündchen influenced the final stretch of his football career

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Gisele Bündchen and Tom Brady (via Getty Images) Tom Brady spent more than two decades creating an unprecedented legacy in the NFL with the Patriots. However, his final years in the field were filled with personal problems, which fueled his underperformance on the field. In a recent interview, Brady acknowledged that his divorce from Gisele…

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What is ocean’s ‘lake of death’? What happens when marine life enters one of deadliest underwater spots |

What is ocean’s ‘lake of death’? What happens when marine life enters one of deadliest underwater spots |

Vamsikrishna07 mins mins

Brine pools kill marine life because extreme salinity, oxygen absence, and toxic chemicals stop all cellular functions/ Courtesy University of Miami Brine pools, often nicknamed underwater lakes or lakes of death, are some of the most dangerous environments in the ocean. They are pockets of water so salty and oxygen-free that they form sharp, visible…

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NEW DELHI: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Maharashtra civic elections 2026 have marked a decisive shift in the urban political landscape. Held after a delay of nearly four years due to legal challenges and prolonged administrator rule, the elections across 27 municipal corporations and 2,869 seats were widely seen as a test of governance credibility and of existence for some.The verdict was emphatic. The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance emerged as the dominant force in urban Maharashtra, projected to win more than 1,800 seats statewide. In Mumbai, the Mahayuti crossed the majority threshold in the 227-member BMC, with the BJP seizing over 90 wards alone in its favour. Mumbai And Pune Verdict Shake Thackeray And Pawar Dynasties As Legacy Politics Faces Reality Check With this, there ended the Shiv Sena’s uninterrupted control of the civic body since 1997 and marked the BJP’s first real capture of India’s richest municipal corporation. Here are the top 10 winners and losers of Maharashtra civic poll elections:WINNERS1. Devendra Fadnavis and BJPThe biggest and the obvious winner of the civic polls verdict is Devendra Fadnavis and the Bharatiya Janata Party.The BJP has won over 90 wards of the BMC on its own, compared to 82 in 2017. In key wards such as Mulund West (Ward 103), the BJP defeated the MNS by a margin exceeding 12,000 votes. Statewide results reinforced this dominance. The BJP led in Pune Municipal Corporation with over 50 of 162 seats, secured a majority in Navi Mumbai (40 of 67), and crossed 80 seats in Nagpur’s 151-member civic body.Axis My India had estimated the BJP support among first-time voters (18–25 age group) at 47 per cent, while 44 per cent of women voters backed the party, influenced by welfare schemes such as Majhi Ladki Bahin and promises of tighter audits of civic spending. With the BMC’s annual budget exceeding Rs 60,000 crore, control over Mumbai’s civic machinery also enhances the BJP’s long-term institutional leverage ahead of the 2029 assembly elections. 2. Eknath Shinde and Shiv Sena For the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, the civic results offered political validation.Since the 2022 split, the Shinde faction’s central challenge has been legitimacy. The civic verdict, particularly in Mumbai and Thane, strengthened its claim. The party has won/leading on 352 wards and has emerged as the second largest party in Maharashtra civic polls.In Mira-Bhayandar and Ulhasnagar, the Shinde faction recorded near-sweeps, reflecting voter preference for continuity in infrastructure delivery over symbolic politics.3. Mahayuti alliance The BJP–Shiv Sena–NCP Mahayuti alliance once again sealed the victory in Maharashtra.Despite contesting separately in some cities, the alliance demonstrated effective vote transferability in Mumbai, Nashik, and Nagpur. The alliance won or is leadinf in over 1,700 wards across Maharashtra.With a major victory, Mahayuti showed how to converted state-level power into grassroots and civic dominance.4. AIMIMThe All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) made modest but consequential gains in Maharashtra civic elections.The party registered victory/is leading on 94 wards, primarily in Muslim-majority pockets such as Bhendi Bazaar and parts of Kurla and Mumbra. In Aurangabad Municipal Corporation, it crossed 15 seats.While these numbers remain small, AIMIM’s presence seems to have fragmented the opposition vote, particularly hurting Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT). 5. K Annamalai and ‘rasmalai’When the results of the Maharashtra civic elections were being tallied, one of the most unexpected stories to emerge was not about seats won or wards lost. It was about narrative currency — how a Tamil Nadu BJP leader emerged as a winner without contesting.And it all started with the ‘rasmalai’ controversy which begun when while campaigning in Mumbai for the BMC elections, Annamalai had said the city didn’t belong to Maharashtra alone as it was an international city.The remarks triggered a sharp exchange at a joint Shiv Sena (UBT)–MNS rally in Mumbai. MNS chief Raj Thackeray took a swipe at Annamalai, mocking him as ‘rasmalai’ and questioning his authority to comment on Mumbai. He also raised the slogan “hatao lungi, bajao pungi”, a phrase long used derogatorily against South Indians in the city.However, Mahayuti won and BJP MPs and supporters were soon having a field on social media, posting photos of ‘rasmalai’ and mocking Raj Thackeray.Losers 1. Uddhav Thackeray’s Sena The biggest electoral setback was suffered by Uddhav Thackeray. From over 130 BMC seats in 2017, Sena (UBT) fell to 72 seats. Even traditional strongholds such as Gorai and parts of Mahim witnessed defeats. The loss of control of the BMC is a big blow to Uddhav the Sena has always maintained its control over the civic body.His long-anticipated reunion with estranged cousin Raj Thackeray also failed to make any impact on the ground.2. Congress The Indian National Congress emerged as one of the biggest losers of the BMC and Maharashtra civic elections because the results exposed its near-total erosion in urban politics.In the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, Congress was reduced to around 21 seats, a sharp fall from its already diminished presence in 2017, when it had crossed 30. Across Maharashtra’s 27 municipal corporations, the party managed roughly 306 wards out of 2,869. In Pune, once a Congress-influenced city, the party was restricted to fewer than five seats out of 162, while in Mumbai it failed to emerge as a serious contender in most wards.In Pune, it was reduced to fewer than five seats. The party which decided to go solo after that Thackeray cousins jouned hands, failed to make any impact in BMC polls where Uddhav’s Sena won 72 seats. It seems that lack of a city-specific agenda, factional infighting and minimal national leadership presence during the campaign compounded the decline.3. Raj Thackeray and MNSFor Raj Thackeray, the civic polls reinforced a long-term downward trajectory.The leader joined hands with his cousin Uddhav to keep the BJP at bay. But the results show how he failed miserably. During the election campaign, he tried to appeal around the idea of the ‘Marathi Manoos’ while invoking Balasaheb Thackeray. This politics of sentiment obviously has deep roots in Maharashtra’s history. He relied on fiery speeches, symbolic gestures and cultural flashpoints to command attention, often targeting migrants, linguistic outsiders, or perceived cultural dilution in Mumbai. Unlike mass welfare or governance-driven politics, his appeal was rooted in ‘Marathi asmita’.This, however, failed to resonate with the voters. The MNS failed to secure major wins, while getting only 11 of 227 wards in Mumbai. At the state level, the party managed to get only 18 of 2869 wards.4: Sharad Pawar Sharad Pawar emerged as one of the biggest losers of the BMC and Maharashtra civic elections as the results exposed the steady erosion of his once-formidable grip over urban and organisational politics.For decades, Pawar was seen as the master strategist of Maharashtra, capable of shaping outcomes even when not in direct power. The civic verdict punctured that perception. The NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) failed to make any meaningful impact in the BMC, getting just 1 win in Mumbai wards and remaining marginal in Pune, a city long considered central to Pawar’s political influence.His strategy to join hands with nephew Ajit Pawar for the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad municipal elections also failed as the BJP secured victory in these bodies.Statewide, the faction’s ward tally was 28 of 2869 wards, far below expectations for a party led by a veteran of his stature.Crucially, Pawar’s traditional role as an alliance-builder also lost relevance. Fragmentation within the opposition and the rise of a dominant Mahayuti alliance reduced his ability to act as a power broker. This time, though reports suggested he wanted the Maha Vikas Agadi to fight as a unit, he failed to keep the parties together, especially after the Thackeray cousins joined hands, pushing Congress to go solo.10. Ajit PawarDespite being part of Mahayuti, Ajit Pawar has emerged as one of the losers this election. During the civic poll campaigns, Ajit Pawar repeatedly hit out at his own Mahayuti allies, Eknath Shinde and Devendra Fadnavis, exposing visible faultlines within the ruling alliance.As election date approached, he finally decided to unite with his uncle Sharad Pawar to contest Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad elections as a united front.His attacks were also unusually sharp for an alliance partner, with Pawar questioning why local bodies under BJP–Shinde control still struggled with water supply, roads and urban planning. In several rallies, he projected his faction as a corrective force within the government rather than a stakeholder in its record. . The civic results however suggest the tactic backfired. Ajit Pawar’s faction underperformed in Pune and Nashik, reinforcing the perception that public sparring with allies during elections diluted his credibility and bargaining power within the Mahayuti rather than strengthening it. Eventually, the Pawar lost their strongholds, Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, to BJP with huge margin.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosBritish MP Bob Blackman Warns Of Hindu Killings In Bangladesh As Extremism Rises, Democracy FaltersRanchi ED Raid: Jharkhand HC Calls Police Action ‘Pre-Planned’, Orders Security BoostMumbai And Pune Verdict Shake Thackeray And Pawar Dynasties As Legacy Politics Faces Reality CheckPiyush Goyal Says Startup India Generated Over 21 Lakh Jobs, Credits PM ModiMinority Under Fire Hindu Teacher Home Burnt In Bangladesh Sparks India Concern Ahead Of PollsIndia Named Global Growth Engine By IMF, BJP Says Global Data Exposes Rahul Gandhi’s ClaimErasable Ink Controversy In BMC Elections, SEC Steps In And Orders ProbeEAM Jaishankar Flags Economic Security As Top Priority, Pushes India-Japan De Risking StrategyIndia Blasts Pakistan At United Nations For Pushing Divisive Kashmir Agenda And Spreading FalsehoodsPakistan Continues To Ignore India’s Warning As Drones Return To Valley, Third Incident In Five Days123PhotostoriesKanjeevaram vs Banarasi silk: Which saree is best for your wedding day?Top 5 Southern Indian fish dishes that are full of flavours and traditionKaran Johar, Sanjay Dutt, Sunny Leone: Bollywood celebrities who welcomed parenthood with twinsSidharth Malhotra birthday special: 5 unforgettable pictures with Kiara Advani that showcase their fairytale romanceThe negotiations every child tries at least once with their parents11 vegetarian kebabs for evening snacking during winter monthsBMC Elections 2026: BJP-Shiv Sena alliance on top, Mumbai set for a new mayor after 4 year delayBengal Vice: Congress crushed between Mamata and BJPFrom a massive living room to fancy decor: Bigg Boss 19 fame Pranit More’s lavish house tour10 extraordinary Starfish that redefine ocean beauty123Hot PicksMaharashtra Election ResultsBudget 2026Gold rate todayBank holiday todayBMC Election ResultsPublic holidays January 2026Bank Holidays JanuaryTop TrendingMLB Trade RumorsKDMC Election ResultPAK vs ENG Live ScoreJack EichelMira Bhayandar Election ResultPuka Nacuas BrotherMarvel Rivals Season 6 Release DateJohn wolfords net worthDelhi Digital ArrestDelhi Rape and Murder Case

NEW DELHI: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Maharashtra civic elections 2026 have marked a decisive shift in the urban political landscape. Held after a delay of nearly four years due to legal challenges and prolonged administrator rule, the elections across 27 municipal corporations and 2,869 seats were widely seen as a test of governance credibility and of existence for some.The verdict was emphatic. The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance emerged as the dominant force in urban Maharashtra, projected to win more than 1,800 seats statewide. In Mumbai, the Mahayuti crossed the majority threshold in the 227-member BMC, with the BJP seizing over 90 wards alone in its favour. Mumbai And Pune Verdict Shake Thackeray And Pawar Dynasties As Legacy Politics Faces Reality Check With this, there ended the Shiv Sena’s uninterrupted control of the civic body since 1997 and marked the BJP’s first real capture of India’s richest municipal corporation. Here are the top 10 winners and losers of Maharashtra civic poll elections:WINNERS1. Devendra Fadnavis and BJPThe biggest and the obvious winner of the civic polls verdict is Devendra Fadnavis and the Bharatiya Janata Party.The BJP has won over 90 wards of the BMC on its own, compared to 82 in 2017. In key wards such as Mulund West (Ward 103), the BJP defeated the MNS by a margin exceeding 12,000 votes. Statewide results reinforced this dominance. The BJP led in Pune Municipal Corporation with over 50 of 162 seats, secured a majority in Navi Mumbai (40 of 67), and crossed 80 seats in Nagpur’s 151-member civic body.Axis My India had estimated the BJP support among first-time voters (18–25 age group) at 47 per cent, while 44 per cent of women voters backed the party, influenced by welfare schemes such as Majhi Ladki Bahin and promises of tighter audits of civic spending. With the BMC’s annual budget exceeding Rs 60,000 crore, control over Mumbai’s civic machinery also enhances the BJP’s long-term institutional leverage ahead of the 2029 assembly elections. 2. Eknath Shinde and Shiv Sena For the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, the civic results offered political validation.Since the 2022 split, the Shinde faction’s central challenge has been legitimacy. The civic verdict, particularly in Mumbai and Thane, strengthened its claim. The party has won/leading on 352 wards and has emerged as the second largest party in Maharashtra civic polls.In Mira-Bhayandar and Ulhasnagar, the Shinde faction recorded near-sweeps, reflecting voter preference for continuity in infrastructure delivery over symbolic politics.3. Mahayuti alliance The BJP–Shiv Sena–NCP Mahayuti alliance once again sealed the victory in Maharashtra.Despite contesting separately in some cities, the alliance demonstrated effective vote transferability in Mumbai, Nashik, and Nagpur. The alliance won or is leadinf in over 1,700 wards across Maharashtra.With a major victory, Mahayuti showed how to converted state-level power into grassroots and civic dominance.4. AIMIMThe All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) made modest but consequential gains in Maharashtra civic elections.The party registered victory/is leading on 94 wards, primarily in Muslim-majority pockets such as Bhendi Bazaar and parts of Kurla and Mumbra. In Aurangabad Municipal Corporation, it crossed 15 seats.While these numbers remain small, AIMIM’s presence seems to have fragmented the opposition vote, particularly hurting Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT). 5. K Annamalai and ‘rasmalai’When the results of the Maharashtra civic elections were being tallied, one of the most unexpected stories to emerge was not about seats won or wards lost. It was about narrative currency — how a Tamil Nadu BJP leader emerged as a winner without contesting.And it all started with the ‘rasmalai’ controversy which begun when while campaigning in Mumbai for the BMC elections, Annamalai had said the city didn’t belong to Maharashtra alone as it was an international city.The remarks triggered a sharp exchange at a joint Shiv Sena (UBT)–MNS rally in Mumbai. MNS chief Raj Thackeray took a swipe at Annamalai, mocking him as ‘rasmalai’ and questioning his authority to comment on Mumbai. He also raised the slogan “hatao lungi, bajao pungi”, a phrase long used derogatorily against South Indians in the city.However, Mahayuti won and BJP MPs and supporters were soon having a field on social media, posting photos of ‘rasmalai’ and mocking Raj Thackeray.Losers 1. Uddhav Thackeray’s Sena The biggest electoral setback was suffered by Uddhav Thackeray. From over 130 BMC seats in 2017, Sena (UBT) fell to 72 seats. Even traditional strongholds such as Gorai and parts of Mahim witnessed defeats. The loss of control of the BMC is a big blow to Uddhav the Sena has always maintained its control over the civic body.His long-anticipated reunion with estranged cousin Raj Thackeray also failed to make any impact on the ground.2. Congress The Indian National Congress emerged as one of the biggest losers of the BMC and Maharashtra civic elections because the results exposed its near-total erosion in urban politics.In the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, Congress was reduced to around 21 seats, a sharp fall from its already diminished presence in 2017, when it had crossed 30. Across Maharashtra’s 27 municipal corporations, the party managed roughly 306 wards out of 2,869. In Pune, once a Congress-influenced city, the party was restricted to fewer than five seats out of 162, while in Mumbai it failed to emerge as a serious contender in most wards.In Pune, it was reduced to fewer than five seats. The party which decided to go solo after that Thackeray cousins jouned hands, failed to make any impact in BMC polls where Uddhav’s Sena won 72 seats. It seems that lack of a city-specific agenda, factional infighting and minimal national leadership presence during the campaign compounded the decline.3. Raj Thackeray and MNSFor Raj Thackeray, the civic polls reinforced a long-term downward trajectory.The leader joined hands with his cousin Uddhav to keep the BJP at bay. But the results show how he failed miserably. During the election campaign, he tried to appeal around the idea of the ‘Marathi Manoos’ while invoking Balasaheb Thackeray. This politics of sentiment obviously has deep roots in Maharashtra’s history. He relied on fiery speeches, symbolic gestures and cultural flashpoints to command attention, often targeting migrants, linguistic outsiders, or perceived cultural dilution in Mumbai. Unlike mass welfare or governance-driven politics, his appeal was rooted in ‘Marathi asmita’.This, however, failed to resonate with the voters. The MNS failed to secure major wins, while getting only 11 of 227 wards in Mumbai. At the state level, the party managed to get only 18 of 2869 wards.4: Sharad Pawar Sharad Pawar emerged as one of the biggest losers of the BMC and Maharashtra civic elections as the results exposed the steady erosion of his once-formidable grip over urban and organisational politics.For decades, Pawar was seen as the master strategist of Maharashtra, capable of shaping outcomes even when not in direct power. The civic verdict punctured that perception. The NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) failed to make any meaningful impact in the BMC, getting just 1 win in Mumbai wards and remaining marginal in Pune, a city long considered central to Pawar’s political influence.His strategy to join hands with nephew Ajit Pawar for the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad municipal elections also failed as the BJP secured victory in these bodies.Statewide, the faction’s ward tally was 28 of 2869 wards, far below expectations for a party led by a veteran of his stature.Crucially, Pawar’s traditional role as an alliance-builder also lost relevance. Fragmentation within the opposition and the rise of a dominant Mahayuti alliance reduced his ability to act as a power broker. This time, though reports suggested he wanted the Maha Vikas Agadi to fight as a unit, he failed to keep the parties together, especially after the Thackeray cousins joined hands, pushing Congress to go solo.10. Ajit PawarDespite being part of Mahayuti, Ajit Pawar has emerged as one of the losers this election. During the civic poll campaigns, Ajit Pawar repeatedly hit out at his own Mahayuti allies, Eknath Shinde and Devendra Fadnavis, exposing visible faultlines within the ruling alliance.As election date approached, he finally decided to unite with his uncle Sharad Pawar to contest Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad elections as a united front.His attacks were also unusually sharp for an alliance partner, with Pawar questioning why local bodies under BJP–Shinde control still struggled with water supply, roads and urban planning. In several rallies, he projected his faction as a corrective force within the government rather than a stakeholder in its record. . The civic results however suggest the tactic backfired. Ajit Pawar’s faction underperformed in Pune and Nashik, reinforcing the perception that public sparring with allies during elections diluted his credibility and bargaining power within the Mahayuti rather than strengthening it. Eventually, the Pawar lost their strongholds, Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, to BJP with huge margin.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosBritish MP Bob Blackman Warns Of Hindu Killings In Bangladesh As Extremism Rises, Democracy FaltersRanchi ED Raid: Jharkhand HC Calls Police Action ‘Pre-Planned’, Orders Security BoostMumbai And Pune Verdict Shake Thackeray And Pawar Dynasties As Legacy Politics Faces Reality CheckPiyush Goyal Says Startup India Generated Over 21 Lakh Jobs, Credits PM ModiMinority Under Fire Hindu Teacher Home Burnt In Bangladesh Sparks India Concern Ahead Of PollsIndia Named Global Growth Engine By IMF, BJP Says Global Data Exposes Rahul Gandhi’s ClaimErasable Ink Controversy In BMC Elections, SEC Steps In And Orders ProbeEAM Jaishankar Flags Economic Security As Top Priority, Pushes India-Japan De Risking StrategyIndia Blasts Pakistan At United Nations For Pushing Divisive Kashmir Agenda And Spreading FalsehoodsPakistan Continues To Ignore India’s Warning As Drones Return To Valley, Third Incident In Five Days123PhotostoriesKanjeevaram vs Banarasi silk: Which saree is best for your wedding day?Top 5 Southern Indian fish dishes that are full of flavours and traditionKaran Johar, Sanjay Dutt, Sunny Leone: Bollywood celebrities who welcomed parenthood with twinsSidharth Malhotra birthday special: 5 unforgettable pictures with Kiara Advani that showcase their fairytale romanceThe negotiations every child tries at least once with their parents11 vegetarian kebabs for evening snacking during winter monthsBMC Elections 2026: BJP-Shiv Sena alliance on top, Mumbai set for a new mayor after 4 year delayBengal Vice: Congress crushed between Mamata and BJPFrom a massive living room to fancy decor: Bigg Boss 19 fame Pranit More’s lavish house tour10 extraordinary Starfish that redefine ocean beauty123Hot PicksMaharashtra Election ResultsBudget 2026Gold rate todayBank holiday todayBMC Election ResultsPublic holidays January 2026Bank Holidays JanuaryTop TrendingMLB Trade RumorsKDMC Election ResultPAK vs ENG Live ScoreJack EichelMira Bhayandar Election ResultPuka Nacuas BrotherMarvel Rivals Season 6 Release DateJohn wolfords net worthDelhi Digital ArrestDelhi Rape and Murder Case

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