Senior NCP (SP) leader Jayant Patil on Saturday said late NCP chief Ajit Pawar was eager to reunite with his uncle Sharad Pawar and had held several meetings to facilitate the merger of the two party factions, reported news agency PTI. Sharad Pawar reveals merger announcement was planned for February 12 Patil's comments have come amid party chief Sharad Pawar's revelation that Ajit Pawar had planned to announce the merger on February 12, but his untimely death had stalled the process. Decision to contest Zilla Parishad polls together taken on January 16 Speaking to reporters in Islampur, Patil said, "He (Ajit Pawar) visited my house on multiple occasions and held talks over dinner. He said he wanted to reunite with his uncle by getting over the past. On January 16, we decided to contest the upcoming Zilla Parishad elections together, and the announcement of the formal merger was to be made on February 12," reported PTI. Ajit Pawar’s death in Baramati plane crash stalled merger process NCP chief and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was killed along with four others after a Learjet 45 aircraft they were travelling in crashed at Baramati, his hometown in Pune district, earlier this week. Senior NCP leaders kept in loop, Mahayuti future undecided Patil said Ajit Pawar had informed him that he had apprised NCP leaders Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare and Chhagan Bhujbal about the merger efforts and assured that they would abide by the decision he takes, reported PTI. Asked whether Ajit Pawar wanted to remain in the Mahayuti government after the merger of the factions, the NCP (SP) leader said there were several aspects to the issue, which he would disclose at a later stage. "He was eager to reunite both factions first. We had detailed discussions about it several times," he said, reported PTI. The NCP, founded by Sharad Pawar in 1999, was vertically split after Ajit Pawar joined the Eknath Shinde-led Mahayuti government in July 2023. He was appointed the deputy CM at that time, and his stint in the post continued after Devendra Fadnavis came to the helm as CM following the November 2024 assembly polls. Earlier in the day, Sharad Pawar said that it was Ajit Pawar's wish to unite the NCP factions and that they were optimistic about the merger. (With inputs from PTI)
31 January,2026 02:25 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentShiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Saturday slammed the ruling BJP, accusing it of looking for an opportunity in NCP chief and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's death, reported news agency PTI. Talking to reporters, the Rajya Sabha MP declined to comment on Sunetra Pawar, wife of Ajit Pawar, being sworn in as the Dy CM, saying no one has the information about the same. Ajit Pawar was killed in the January 28 plane crash at Baramati in Pune district along with four others. "The BJP has nothing to do with the mourning period. It is looking for an opportunity even in death. This is not the time to talk about the matter. I will talk about this after the mourning period is over," Raut said, reported PTI. Asked about NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar's remark that he had "no idea" about Sunetra Pawar's swearing-in as Dy CM, he said only the top BJP leadership, or NCP leaders Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare, may be privy to the information. Sunetra Pawar to take oath as Maharashtra's Deputy CM at 5 pm on Saturday Meanwhile, NCP's Rajya Sabha member Sunetra Pawar will be sworn-in as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, replacing her deceased husband and party chief Ajit Pawar, at the Lok Bhavan in Mumbai at 5 pm on Saturday, reported PTI. Lok Bhavan (formerly Raj Bhavan) gave this information. Governor Acharya Devvrat, who is currently in Mussoorie, will arrive in Mumbai at 4 pm, it said, reported PTI. NCP's legislature party meeting is scheduled to take place in the city at 2 pm, where Sunetra Pawar is set to be named as its leader. After that she will take oath as the first woman deputy CM of the state, reported PTI. She held talks with party leaders after arriving here from Baramati early morning on Saturday. Ajit Pawar, who was deputy chief minister and finance minister in the Devendra Fadnavis-led Mahayuti government, was killed in a plane crash in Baramati along with four others on January 28. (With inputs from PTI)
31 January,2026 02:17 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA Level-I fire broke out in the Govandi area of eastern Mumbai on Friday morning, officials from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said. According to the BMC’s Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB), the fire was reported at around 10:01 am from New Gautam Nagar in Sonapur Lane, Bhim Wadi Road, near Jijamata Mandir in Govandi. Fire officials said the blaze was confined to electrical wiring, electrical installations, furniture, household articles, ceiling fans and false ceilings in around eight to ten hutments. Firefighting teams were immediately rushed to the spot along with police personnel, staff from the concerned electricity distribution company and a 108 ambulance. The fire was brought under control and completely extinguished by 1:10 pm, officials said. No injuries have been reported in the incident. Garbage heap catches fire near railway track in Thane; none hurt In another incident, a heap of garbage accumulated in a drain next to a railway track caught fire in Maharashtra's Thane city on Friday, officials said. No one was injured in the blaze that occurred near the Kalwa railway station in the evening, they said. Teams from the fire department, disaster management cell, and railway police rushed to the spot and initiated firefighting operations. "Preliminary information suggests that garbage dumped in the drain caught fire. Firefighting and cooling operations were immediately initiated to prevent the flames from spreading further," said officials from the disaster management cell. Efforts to fully extinguish the blaze continued late in the evening, with personnel ensuring that there was no risk of re-ignition. Fire breaks out in garbage heap on Thane’s Pokharan Road, no injuries reported Meanwhile, a fire that erupted in a heap of garbage near the Voltas Company in Gandhi Nagar on Pokharan Road No. 2 in Thane (West) was successfully extinguished late Monday night, with no injuries reported, officials said. According to the Disaster Management Cell of the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC), information regarding the incident was received at around 10.20 pm on January 27 from the Balkum Fire Station. Following the alert, teams were promptly dispatched to the site. Personnel from the Disaster Management Cell arrived at the spot with a pickup vehicle, while the fire brigade deployed one fire engine and a water tanker to contain the blaze. Coordinated efforts by the fire brigade and disaster management staff ensured the fire was completely doused by around midnight. Officials confirmed that the situation is presently under control and no casualties were reported in the incident.
31 January,2026 02:10 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentNCP's Rajya Sabha member Sunetra Pawar will be sworn-in as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, replacing her deceased husband and party chief Ajit Pawar, at the Lok Bhavan in Mumbai at 5 pm on Saturday, reported news agency PTI. Lok Bhavan (formerly Raj Bhavan) gave this information. Governor Acharya Devvrat, who is currently in Mussoorie, will arrive in Mumbai at 4 pm, it said, reported PTI. NCP's legislature party meeting is scheduled to take place in the city at 2 pm, where Sunetra Pawar is set to be named as its leader. After that she will take oath as the first woman deputy CM of the state, reported PTI. She held talks with party leaders after arriving in Mumbai from Baramati early morning on Saturday. Ajit Pawar, who was deputy chief minister and finance minister in the Devendra Fadnavis-led Mahayuti government, was killed in a plane crash in Baramati along with four others on January 28. Ajit Pawar was eager to reunite NCP factions, merger planned for Feb 12: Jayant Patil Meanwhile, senior NCP (SP) leader Jayant Patil on Saturday said late NCP chief Ajit Pawar was eager to reunite with his uncle Sharad Pawar and had held several meetings to facilitate the merger of the two party factions. Patil's comments have come amid party chief Sharad Pawar's revelation that Ajit Pawar had planned to announce the merger on February 12, but his untimely death had stalled the process. Speaking to reporters in Islampur, Patil said, "He (Ajit Pawar) visited my house on multiple occasions and held talks over dinner. He said he wanted to reunite with his uncle by getting over the past. On January 16, we decided to contest the upcoming Zilla Parishad elections together, and the announcement of the formal merger was to be made on February 12." NCP chief and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was killed along with four others after a Learjet 45 aircraft they were travelling in crashed at Baramati, his hometown in Pune district, earlier this week. Patil said Ajit Pawar had informed him that he had apprised NCP leaders Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare and Chhagan Bhujbal about the merger efforts and assured that they would abide by the decision he takes. Asked whether Ajit Pawar wanted to remain in the Mahayuti government after the merger of the factions, the NCP (SP) leader said there were several aspects to the issue, which he would disclose at a later stage. (With inputs from PTI)
31 January,2026 02:07 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA 28-year-old woman died after falling off a crowded suburban local train during the morning rush hour in Maharashtra's Thane district on Saturday, the Government Railway Police (GRP) said, reported news agency PTI. The incident occurred around 8.10 am at the Badlapur railway station, an official from the Kalyan GRP said. The victim, Chetana Devrukhkar, was attempting to board a moving train heading for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) when she slipped and fell on the platform, senior inspector Pandhari Kande of the Kalyan GRP said, reported PTI. He said that the deceased worked with a firm in Thane and was travelling to work. A case of accidental death has been registered in connection with the incident. Garbage heap catches fire near railway track in Thane; none hurt In another incident, a heap of garbage accumulated in a drain next to a railway track caught fire in Maharashtra's Thane city on Friday, officials said, reported PTI. No one was injured in the blaze that occurred near the Kalwa railway station in the evening, they said. Teams from the fire department, disaster management cell, and railway police rushed to the spot and initiated firefighting operations. "Preliminary information suggests that garbage dumped in the drain caught fire. Firefighting and cooling operations were immediately initiated to prevent the flames from spreading further," said Yasin Tadvi of the disaster management cell, reported PTI. Efforts to fully extinguish the blaze continued late in the evening, with personnel ensuring that there was no risk of re-ignition. Man kills elderly mother for not giving money to buy liquor; held Meanwhile, a man allegedly killed his 65-year-old mother after she refused to give him money to buy alcohol in Maharashtra's Latur district, police said on Friday, reported PTI. The accused, Sailani Bakshuddin Munjewar (45), was arrested for the alleged offence that took place in Karkheli village of Udgir tehsil between Monday evening and Tuesday morning, inspector Rajkumar Pujari told PTI. The accused was addicted to alcohol. He repeatedly demanded money from his elderly mother, Yasinbi, to purchase liquor, he said. On Monday, when she refused to give money despite his demand, he brutally assaulted her and slammed her head against the ground multiple times. The elderly woman suffered severe injuries and died on the spot. She was found lying in a pool of blood in the courtyard of their house later, he said, reported PTI. Based on a complaint filed by the victim's 69-year-old husband, a case of murder was registered against his son at the Udgir Rural police station. The accused was then arrested and produced before a court, which remanded him in police custody. (With inputs from PTI)
31 January,2026 02:01 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentThe BJP-led Mahayuti alliance on Friday moved a step closer to taking control of the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation after its nominees filed papers for the key civic posts, reported news agency ANI. Mahayuti candidates Harshali Thavil and Rahul Damle submitted their nominations for the posts of Mayor and Deputy Mayor, respectively. Mayor nominee Harshali Thavil promises revival of stalled projects Addressing reporters after filing her nomination, Thavil thanked the alliance leadership for backing her candidature and said she would prioritise reviving projects that have been stalled. “I am grateful to the Mahayuti for the confidence shown in me. My focus will be on restarting pending development works and ensuring smooth functioning of the civic body,” she said, reported ANI. Deputy Mayor nominee Rahul Damle focuses on civic issues Damle echoed similar sentiments, stating that the alliance would concentrate on resolving civic issues affecting residents of Kalyan-Dombivli. “We have filed nominations for the Mayor and Deputy Mayor posts, and our aim will be to address all problems faced by the Municipal Corporation,” he told the media, reported ANI. MNS extends support, strengthening Mahayuti’s position in KDMC Earlier, Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde said that corporators from the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) have extended their support to the Mahayuti in KDMC, strengthening the alliance’s position to form the civic government and elect its mayor, reported ANI. Shinde said the Shiv Sena has emerged as the single largest party with 53 seats, and added that the Bharatiya Janata Party, Shiv Sena, MNS and other allies will collectively run the municipal administration in Kalyan-Dombivli. He also expressed confidence that the Mahayuti would secure the mayor’s post in Mumbai as well. NCP legislators’ meet called amid leadership speculation Elections to 29 municipal corporations across Maharashtra were held on January 15, with results declared the following day. The Mahayuti alliance registered victories in a majority of these civic bodies. Meanwhile, all legislators of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) from both the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council have been called for a meeting at Vidhan Bhavan on Saturday at 2 pm. According to a notice issued on Friday by Maharashtra Pradesh NCP president Sunil Tatkare, the meeting comes amid ongoing speculation over Sunetra Pawar being considered for the Deputy Chief Minister’s post and the possibility of a merger between the two NCP factions. (With inputs from ANI)
31 January,2026 01:29 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentNCP leaders Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare on Saturday met Sunetra Pawar at the official residence of her late husband Ajit Pawar in Mumbai ahead of the legislature party meeting, reported news agency PTI. NCP working president Patel and the party's state chief Tatkare held parleys with Sunetra Pawar on the current political situation. Ajit Pawar, who was deputy chief minister and finance minister in the Devendra Fadnavis-led Mahayuti government, was killed in a plane crash in Baramati along with four others earlier this week. The legislature party meeting will be held at 2 pm in the Vidhan Bhavan office, following which Sunetra Pawar is expected to take oath as the deputy chief minister, reported PTI. No idea about Sunetra's swearing-in as Maharashtra Dy CM: Sharad Pawar Meanwhile, amid reports that Sunetra Pawar, wife of Ajit Pawar, will be sworn in as the Maharashtra deputy chief minister, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Saturday distanced himself from the development, claiming he had "no idea" about it. Addressing a press conference in Baramati, Sharad Pawar said that it was his late nephew Ajit Pawar's wish to unite the NCP factions, and that they were optimistic about it. "We didn't know about the swearing-in. We found out about it through news reports. I have no idea about the swearing-in," he said, when asked if anyone from the Pawar family would be attending the ceremony. The senior leader said that the NCP may have made the decision, and there had been no discussions with him. "I am not aware of the swearing-in. I didn't even know that it was scheduled for today. There was no discussion with me about the swearing-in. Her party (NCP) may have made the decision. The names of Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare came up, and it is learnt that they took the initiative. They might have taken a decision internally within the party," he said. The NCP (SP) chief said that the ruling faction may have felt that someone should take up the post after Ajit Pawar's death. Following Ajit Pawar's death in the January 28 air crash in Baramati, a section of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leaders had demanded that she be given the post held by her late husband in the Devendra Fadnavis-led cabinet. (With inputs from PTI)
31 January,2026 01:21 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMumbai experienced a hazy and unusually cool start to Saturday, January 31, as a thick layer of smog covered large parts of the city, leading to reduced visibility in several areas. Weather officials said Mumbai is likely to remain cloudy and hazy through the day, with temperatures expected to range between 21 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius. As per data from the Sameer application, the city’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 109, placing it in the ‘moderate’ category. Among key locations, Bandra Kurla Complex recorded an AQI of 104, Borivali East 115, Byculla 105, Andheri East 124, Chembur 99, Colaba 97, Deonar 110, Ghatkopar 125, Kandivali East 110, Malad West 130, Mazgaon 80, and Mulund West 125. In neighbouring regions, Thane reported an AQI of 112, Kalyan 130, and Navi Mumbai 113. Overall, air quality across Mumbai and its adjoining areas has shown a marginal improvement compared to earlier in the week. Delhi's minimum temperature at 6.7 deg C, air quality poor Meanwhile, the national capital on Saturday recorded a minimum temperature of 6.7 degrees Celsius, which was 1.7 notches below the season's average, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Station-wise data showed that the minimum temperature settled at Palam recorded 8.1 degrees Celsius, Lodi Road reported 7.1 degrees Celsius, the Ridge station registered 7.7 degrees Celsius, while Ayanagar also recorded 6.6 degrees Celsius. The night temperature at Safdarjung, the city's base weather station, recorded 6.7 degrees Celsius. The air quality was recorded in the " poor" category at 9 am on Saturday, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) reading of 278, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data showed. Several monitoring stations across the city reported AQI levels in the poor-to-very poor range. Ashok Vihar stood at 309. Bawana reported an AQI of 271, Burari 246, and Chandni Chowk 285. Dwarka Sector 8 registered 329 and ITO 279, while Mundka and Wazirpur recorded 331 each. Okhla Phase-2 logged an AQI of 323, Rohini 312, Punjabi Bagh 318, and RK Puram 322. Lower readings were recorded in Narela (232) and Alipur (227), according to the CPCB. According to the CPCB, an AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good', 51 to 100 'satisfactory', 101 to 200 'moderate', 201 to 300 'poor', 301 to 400 'very poor', and 401 to 500 'severe'.
31 January,2026 12:48 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has filed a police complaint against the staff of a parking contractor for overcharging motorists at a paid parking lot in Kala Ghoda. The civic body has also initiated the process to blacklist the contractor after the staff was found overcharging motorists during a string operation. According to BMC officials, the contractor was appointed by the civic body to operate a pay-and-park facility for 100 four-wheelers and 45 two-wheelers near Jehangir Art Gallery and VB Gandhi Marg in Kala Ghoda, Fort. The prescribed fee is Rs 20 per hour for two-wheelers and Rs 70 for four-wheelers. However, the civic body received complaints that the contractor's representatives were charging more than the authorised rates, the officials added. Following these complaints, a sting operation was planned. To verify this malpractice, BMC officials, using private vehicles and concealing their identities, conducted the operation at the parking site in Kala Ghoda. It was found that the contractor's representatives were charging Rs 150 per hour instead of the fixed Rs 70 for four-wheelers. Additionally, the staff also covered up the 'No Parking' signs installed by the BMC and used those areas too for parking the vehicles. It was also found that some of the employees were not wearing uniforms or carrying valid identification badges, the officials added. The BMC's A Ward (comprising the areas of Fort, Nariman Point, Marine Drive, Navy Nagar, Cuffe Parade, Colaba and the Mumbai Port Trust areas) served a show-cause notice to the contractor on May 9. The firm was fined Rs 10,000 for charging more than the prescribed fees for parking, Rs 4,000 for parking in 'No Parking' zones and charging fees from motorists for it, and Rs 1,000 for operating without uniforms and proper identification. A written complaint has also been lodged by the BMC administration at the Mata Ramabai Marg Police Station in Fort against the contractor's representatives.
31 January,2026 12:21 PM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentRajya Sabha MP Sunetra Pawar arrived in Mumbai early Saturday, setting the stage for her elevation as Maharashtra’s first woman Deputy Chief Minister, days after the death of her husband and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Ajit Pawar, reported news agency PTI. Sunetra Pawar reached Devgiri, the late leader’s official residence in south Mumbai, in the early hours, accompanied by her son Parth. Though she is not currently a member of either House of the Maharashtra legislature, the 62-year-old is expected to be chosen as leader of the NCP’s legislature wing at a party meeting later in the day, paving the way for her swearing-in, reported PTI. Speculation about a possible reunification of the NCP with the faction led by party founder Sharad Pawar intensified after Ajit Pawar’s death in a mid-week air crash. However, sources from the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) and the Pawar family said they had no advance knowledge of Sunetra Pawar’s move to join the BJP-led Mahayuti government. “Neither the party leadership nor family members were informed about her plans,” a source told PTI. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party would back the decision taken by the late leader’s family and the NCP. Speaking to reporters in Nagpur on Friday, he said the alliance stood firmly with Ajit Pawar’s family and party. Until the Lok Sabha elections 2024, Sunetra Pawar largely stayed away from active politics. She entered the fray from Baramati that year on an NCP ticket but lost to her sister-in-law and sitting NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule. She was later elected to the Rajya Sabha. Senior NCP leader and state minister Chhagan Bhujbal said the party’s legislature wing would meet in Mumbai on Saturday afternoon to formally name Sunetra Pawar as its leader, reported PTI. No idea about Sunetra's swearing-in as Maharashtra Dy CM: Sharad Pawar Meanwhile, amid reports that Sunetra Pawar, wife of Ajit Pawar, will be sworn in as the Maharashtra deputy chief minister, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Saturday distanced himself from the development, claiming he had no idea about it. Addressing a press conference in Baramati, Pawar said that he had found out about the swearing-in through media reports. "We don't know about the swearing-in. We got to know about it through the news. I have no idea about the swearing-in," he said, when asked if anyone from the Pawar family would be attending the ceremony. He said the NCP must have made the decision. "Some people like Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare took the initiative. These people might have decided something," he said. The veteran leader further claimed that it was his late nephew Ajit Pawar's wish to unite both factions, and that they were optimistic about it. "Now we feel his wish should be fulfilled. Ajit Pawar, Shashikant Shinde and Jayant Patil had initiated the talks about the merger of the two factions. Even the merger date had been fixed - it was scheduled on the 12th (February). Unfortunately, Ajit left us before that," he said. (With inputs from PTI)
31 January,2026 10:29 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentNationalist Congress Party (NCP-SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Thursday said he was unaware that Sunetra Pawar would be sworn in as Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister, asserting that there had been no discussion between them on the matter. Speaking to reporters, Pawar said Sunetra Pawar’s appointment was a decision taken by her party, the Nationalist Congress Party, and that he was not consulted. He added that he had no clarity on the reasons behind the party’s decision to move ahead with the swearing-in so swiftly. Sharad Pawar also said that both factions of the NCP were expected to come together on February 12, but in light of recent developments, the process of reunification is now likely to slow down. Sunetra Pawar reaches Mumbai Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha member Sunetra Pawar, who is set to be sworn in as Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister in place of her late husband and NCP chief Ajit Pawar in the state cabinet, reached Mumbai early Saturday. She arrived at Devgiri, the official residence of her late husband in south Mumbai, in the wee hours, accompanied by her son Parth. The 62-year-old leader, who is not a member of either House of the Maharashtra legislature, is expected to be elected leader of the legislature wing of the Nationalist Congress Party at a meeting in Mumbai later on Saturday. She is also set to take oath as Maharashtra’s first woman Deputy Chief Minister. Until the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Sunetra Pawar had largely kept a low political profile. She contested the Lok Sabha polls from Baramati as the candidate of her husband’s party but was defeated by her sister-in-law, Supriya Sule, the sitting NCP (SP) MP, in a high-profile contest. Sunetra Pawar was later elected to the Rajya Sabha.
31 January,2026 09:12 AM IST | Mumbai | Sanjeev ShivadekarADVERTISEMENT
