The ruling Mahayuti alliance, comprising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiv Sena, and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), recorded a resounding victory in the Maharashtra local body elections, winning 207 out of 288 municipal council and nagar panchayat president posts on Sunday. The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) managed a collective tally of just 44, according to the state election commission (SEC). Among the Mahayuti allies, the BJP secured 117 posts, followed by Shiv Sena (53), and the NCP (37). The Congress bagged 28 posts, the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) seven, and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) nine. Registered but unrecognised parties won 28 seats, while Independents bagged five. The Congress claimed 41 municipal president posts and 1,006 councillor positions, with most victories in Chandrapur district, where it won eight of the 11 municipal council president posts along with 128 members. Congress also contested in seven local bodies in Beed district after several years and secured a few seats in each. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis attributed the Mahayuti’s success to the BJP’s organisational strength and development-focused agenda. “It is a team effort — organisation and government. We fought the polls on the development plank. I led the campaign on a positive development agenda and never once criticised any political leader or party,” he said. Fadnavis highlighted that 48 per cent of councillors were elected on the BJP symbol, with BJP candidates emerging as municipal presidents in 129 local bodies. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also congratulated the Mahayuti leaders for the sweeping victory. “Thanks to the people of the state for giving overwhelming support to the Mahayuti in the Maharashtra Nagar Panchayat and Nagar Parishad elections. This victory is the people's blessings on the vision of the welfare of every section under the central and state governments of the NDA led by Modi ji. On this victory, I extend my best wishes to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde, and Ajit Pawar, and all the workers of the NDA,” Shah wrote on X. He added, “At the same time, congratulations to state president Ravindra Chavan, and all the workers of BJP Maharashtra for the BJP winning the maximum number of seats!” Vote counting for 286 municipal councils and nagar panchayats began at 10 am on Sunday. The elections were conducted in two phases, with some councils going to polls on December 2, and others on Saturday. (With PTI and ANI inputs)
21 December,2025 11:22 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentPresident Droupadi Murmu on Sunday gave her assent to the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill, replacing the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and providing for 125 days of wage employment for rural workers, news agency PTI reported. Following the presidential approval, the Bill is now the VB-G RAM G Act, 2025, as notified in the Gazette of India. The Rural Development Ministry described it as a decisive reform in India’s rural employment and development framework. According to the government, the VB-G RAM G scheme aligns rural development with the national vision of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’. Besides guaranteeing 125 days of wage employment, the Act allows states to notify a pause period of up to 60 days in a financial year to ensure adequate availability of agricultural labour during peak sowing and harvesting seasons, PTI reported. The Ministry said the Act aims to transform rural employment from a standalone welfare measure into an integrated instrument of development. The Bill was passed in Parliament last week amid Opposition protests. The Congress continued its nationwide protests on Sunday, accusing the Narendra Modi government of "desecrating the groundbreaking law" and claimed that two decades of progress under MGNREGA had been overturned "without consultation" and by bypassing parliamentary conventions. Dismissing such criticism, Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan alleged that misinformation was being spread about the new scheme, which he described as a step forward from MGNREGA. In a video posted on X, Chouhan said that over Rs 1,51,282 crore will be allocated to the VB-G RAM G scheme to ensure adequate funding for rural employment. "There is a conspiracy to misguide the country, and false information is being spread, while the truth is that the VB-G RAM G scheme is a step ahead of MGNREGA," he said. 'Act modernises rural employment framework, links wage work to productive assets' The Ministry said the Act modernises the statutory framework, enhances livelihood security, strengthens income stability for rural households, and links wage employment with the creation of durable and productive rural assets, laying the foundation for a prosperous and resilient rural India. The Act mandates payment of wages on a weekly basis, or within 15 days of work completion, PTI reported. Delay compensation is payable in case of late payment. Wage employment under the Act is aligned with four priority domains: water security and water-related works, core rural infrastructure, livelihood-related infrastructure, and mitigation of extreme weather events. All works are derived from Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans (VGPPs), prepared at the gram panchayat level through participatory processes and approved by the gram sabha. These plans are digitally and spatially integrated with national platforms, including ‘Pradhan Mantri Gati Shakti’. "This integrated planning framework will enable Ministries and Departments to implement works more effectively, avoid duplication and wastage of public resources, and accelerate development through saturation-based outcomes," the Ministry said. The cost-sharing pattern is 60:40 between Centre and states, 90:10 for North Eastern and Himalayan States, and 100 per cent Central funding for Union Territories without legislatures. The Ministry clarified that normative allocations pertain to budgeting and fund flow and do not affect legal entitlements to employment. The administrative expenditure ceiling has been raised from 6 per cent to 9 per cent, allowing better staffing, training, technical capacity, and field-level support. Technology under the Act is designed as an enabling mechanism, not a barrier, the Ministry added. (With PTI inputs)
21 December,2025 11:01 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday described the Mahayuti’s success in the municipal council and nagar panchayat elections as a result of a collective effort by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) organisation and the government, news agency PTI reported. “It is a team effort – organisation and government. We fought the polls on the development plank. I led the campaign on a positive development agenda, and never did I even once criticise any political leader or party,” the Maharashtra CM said. He added that the BJP sought votes based on its development agenda, the work accomplished so far, and the blueprint for the future, PTI reported. “The BJP has once again emerged as the single-largest party in an election,” noted Fadnavis. Counting of votes for the posts of president and members in 286 municipal councils and nagar panchayats across Maharashtra began at 10 am on Sunday. Initial trends showed the Mahayuti – comprising the BJP, Ajit Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena – comfortably ahead. “Forty-eight per cent of the members have been elected on the BJP’s symbol. A total of 129 BJP candidates have been elected as municipal presidents. In 75 per cent of local bodies, Mahayuti candidates have been elected as presidents,” Fadnavis said, adding that the BJP’s national leadership has placed faith in the state unit. Maharashtra local polls: Opposition blames election commission and 'money power' The opposition Congress and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) on Sunday largely conceded defeat in the municipal council and nagar panchayat elections, blaming the State Election Commission and “money power” for the Mahayuti’s dominance, PTI reported. State Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal congratulated party candidates who won municipal president and councillor posts but also tersely remarked that the poll body had “helped” the ruling Mahayuti alliance in the elections. Senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve attributed the Mahayuti’s win to “money and muscle power.” "The Mahayuti has bagged a larger number of seats as compared to constituents of the Maha Vikas Aghadi, thanks to the muscle and money power deployed by the ruling parties," Danve told PTI in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. (With PTI inputs)
21 December,2025 06:22 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Indian Railways has rationalised its passenger fare structure with effect from December 26, stating that the move involves only a marginal increase in select categories while protecting suburban commuters and short-distance travellers. According to the revised structure, there will be no increase in fares for suburban services and monthly season tickets (MSTs). Similarly, passengers travelling up to 215 km in ordinary class will not face any fare hike. For longer journeys, the Railways has introduced a modest increase. Ordinary class passengers travelling beyond 215 km will pay an additional 1 paise per kilometre, while mail and express trains in non-AC categories will see an increase of 2 paise per kilometre. AC class fares will also rise by 2 paise per kilometre, the Railways said. It further emphasised that the impact on passengers would be minimal. For instance, on a 500 km journey in non-AC coaches, passengers will have to pay only Rs 10 more under the revised fare structure. The Railways is expected to earn approximately Rs 600 crore during the current year as a result of this fare rationalisation. Explaining the rationale behind the move, the Railways said it has significantly expanded its network and operations over the past decade, leading to higher operational requirements. To manage increased train operations and improve safety standards, the Railways has expanded its workforce. Rising manpower costs drive fare rationalisation As a result, manpower costs have risen to Rs 1.15 lakh crore, while pension expenditure has increased to Rs 60,000 crore. The total operational cost for 2024–25 has gone up to Rs 2.63 lakh crore, the Railways said. To meet these rising expenses, the Railways is focusing on higher cargo loading along with limited passenger fare rationalisation, while continuing to pursue its broader social obligations. The Railways, in a press release, also highlighted improvements in safety and operational efficiency. India has emerged as the second-largest cargo-carrying railway system in the world, aided by enhanced infrastructure and better operations. The successful mobilisation of more than 12,000 trains during the recent festive season was cited as an example of improved efficiency. The Railways said it would continue efforts to enhance efficiency and contain costs, while ensuring affordable travel for the public and meeting its social objectives.
21 December,2025 03:37 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Nationalist Congress Party’s once-unshakeable stronghold in Pimpri-Chinchwad witnessed a decisive political rupture on Saturday, as 17 senior leaders from the Ajit Pawar-led NCP faction—including former mayors and standing committee chairpersons—formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The mass defection marks a critical turning point in the region’s political history, signalling the near-complete dismantling of a power structure that for over two decades symbolised the Pawar family’s urban dominance. A former NCP fortress For years after its formation in 1999, Pimpri-Chinchwad was synonymous with the NCP’s political authority. Under Sharad Pawar’s strategic leadership and Ajit Pawar’s firm organisational control in the Pune region, the party built a formidable grassroots network. The NCP ruled the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) for multiple terms, controlled key civic institutions and shaped the city’s development agenda. This period—from the early 2000s to the mid-2010s—was widely regarded as the party’s golden phase. Ajit Pawar played a central role in consolidating the party’s urban base. His influence over corporators, mayors and local leaders ensured organisational discipline and consistent electoral success. Pimpri-Chinchwad emerged as an unquestioned NCP bastion, often influencing political equations beyond municipal limits. Erosion after 2017 The first visible crack appeared in 2017, when the BJP wrested control of the PCMC from the NCP, marking a significant erosion of the party’s dominance. The BJP’s rapid expansion in urban Maharashtra further weakened the NCP’s hold. However, the most damaging blow came from within. The split between Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar fractured the party’s core, creating confusion among workers and voters. Divided loyalties weakened organisational cohesion, triggering resignations and steady defections. Pimpri-Chinchwad—once a symbol of unified Pawar leadership—turned into contested political terrain. Defections signal collapse Saturday’s mass induction of senior NCP leaders into the BJP appears to be the culmination of this decline. The entry of former mayors, standing committee chairpersons and veteran corporators—once pillars of the NCP’s civic administration—underscores how deeply the party’s local structure has been hollowed out. What began as gradual attrition has now assumed the character of a political collapse. Senior leaders view the Pimpri-Chinchwad setback as more than an electoral loss. It stands as a case study in how internal rivalry, leadership fractures and shifting alliances can dismantle even the strongest political bastions. A city that once anchored the NCP’s urban power now mirrors the party’s broader struggle for coherence and relevance. High-stakes civic battle ahead With the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation elections approaching, both the BJP and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP have announced plans to contest independently, intensifying competition for former corporators. After Ajit Pawar recently inducted former BJP standing committee chairpersons and ex-corporators into his party, the BJP responded with a show of strength in Mumbai. Those joining the BJP include leaders from the Ajit Pawar-led NCP, Shiv Sena (Thackeray faction), Congress and independents. Former BJP corporator Ravi Landge, who had earlier joined the Shiv Sena (Thackeray), also returned to the party. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has categorically ruled out any alliance for the civic polls, terming the contest with the Ajit Pawar-led NCP a “friendly fight.” Ajit Pawar, meanwhile, has declared that he will spare no effort to regain control of the PCMC and has begun reaching out to disgruntled BJP leaders, claiming several former corporators are in touch. Similar churn in Pune A parallel political churn was also witnessed in the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), where the BJP delivered a significant blow to both the NCP and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP). Several former corporators from both factions were inducted into the BJP on Saturday, despite the parties being allies at the state and national levels. Prominent among the NCP (SP) entrants were Surendra Pathare, son of sitting legislator Bapu Pathare, and former corporator Sachin Dodke, considered close to NCP (SP) working president Supriya Sule. From the Ajit Pawar-led NCP, former corporators Sayali Wanjale, Vikas Dangat, Bala Dhankawade and Rohini Chimate joined the BJP. Leaders including Narayan Galande, Gana Chavan (son of former MP Vasantrao Chavan), Khandu Londhe, former Khadakwasla sarpanch Santosh Mate, and Anil Tupe from the NCP (SP) were also inducted. The bigger picture Together, the developments in Pimpri-Chinchwad and Pune underline a decisive shift in urban Maharashtra’s political landscape. Once impregnable NCP bastions are witnessing accelerated erosion, while the BJP continues to consolidate its dominance. Mahesh Landge, BJP MLA from Bhosari (Pune), said:“On the occasion of the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation elections 2025–26, senior leaders, office-bearers and former corporators from various political parties have officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party under the leadership of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the guidance of state BJP president Ravindra Chavan. I warmly welcome all respected leaders of Pimpri-Chinchwad into the BJP family. Committed to the ideals of nation, faith, culture and development-oriented Hindutva, we are determined to secure an undisputed victory for the BJP in Pimpri-Chinchwad.” Shankar Jagtap, BJP MLA from Chinchwad, said, “Pimpri-Chinchwad has earned many identities—as an industrial hub, an IT-ICT centre and a smart city. The city provides employment on one hand and world-class civic facilities on the other. This progress has been achieved due to the consistent efforts of the city’s elected representatives. Corporators and office-bearers across parties have played a crucial role, often setting aside political differences for the sake of development. Those who have joined the BJP today share the same commitment to keeping Pimpri-Chinchwad on the path of progress. With their support, we are confident that the city’s development momentum will continue in the years ahead.”
21 December,2025 02:49 PM IST | Pune | Archana DahiwalPrime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday morning set sail on river Brahmaputra on a cruise ship, as he began his interaction with students during a 'Pariksha Pe Charcha' programme on the second day of his Assam visit. A total of 25 students from various schools of Assam are taking part in the event. Modi is scheduled to interact with the students for around 45 minutes aboard the three-deck 'M V Charaidew 2', officials said. He arrived at the Guwahati Gateway Terminal of the Inland Water Transport (IWT), inaugurated recently by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and moved to the ship along the floating bridge. Security has been heightened along the entire area with the River Police, NDRF and SDRF personnel patrolling the river since early morning, the officials said. Ferry services on river Brahmaputra have been suspended for two days since Saturday in the wake of Modi's visit. The students participating in the programme have been selected from schools in Kamrup Metropolitan, Morigaon, Dibrugarh, Cachar, Sribhumi, Baksa, Dima Hasao, Kokrajhar, Golaghat, Karbi Anglong, and Nalbari districts. They represent government, residential and private schools, including the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, PM Shri schools, Kendriya Vidyalayas, Assam Jatiya Bidyalay, Don Bosco institutions, Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas, the officials said. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had earlier said that the PM's visit to Kaziranga last year led to a surge in tourist footfalls, and the same is expected for river tourism. 'We expect the same catalytic effect on river tourism in Assam when the PM takes a cruise on the Brahmaputra for Pariksha pe Charcha,' he had said. 'Pariksha Pe Charcha' is held annually since 2018 to help students cope with examination pressure, and promote a balanced approach to learning and mental health. The initiative aims to reduce examination-related stress and encourage students to speak openly about academics, career aspirations, and mental well-being. During the programme, Modi interacts with students, offering valuable advice on tackling board and entrance exams in a calm and stress-free manner. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
21 December,2025 02:21 PM IST | Guwahati | PTITwo youths from Mathura will be honoured with the Samaritan Citizen Award for rescuing nearly 100 people injured in a major road accident on the Yamuna Expressway earlier this week. The tragedy occurred around 4 am on Tuesday near Milestone 127 under the Baldev Police Station limits, when dense fog led to a pile-up involving several buses and cars. The collision triggered a massive fire, killing 19 people and injuring more than 50 others. Amid the chaos, local residents Yogesh Sikarwar and Bhura rushed to the spot and helped pull injured passengers out of burning vehicles, assisting them into ambulances before official rescue teams arrived. Superintendent of Police (Rural) Suresh Chandra Rawat said the duo would be felicitated at the Republic Day event. “They will be given a citation and a cash reward of '25,000. A proposal is also being sent to the Prime Minister’s Office for honouring them at the national level,” he said. Bhura, who was scheduled to submit his application for the Uttar Pradesh Home Guards the same day, chose instead to help the injured. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
21 December,2025 02:17 PM IST | Mathura | AgenciesSeven elephants were killed, and one was injured after a herd of jumbos was hit by the Sairang-New Delhi Rajdhani Express in Assam’s Hojai district early Saturday, officials said. Five coaches and the train’s engine also derailed, officials said. Initially, all eight elephants were reported to have been killed, though later it was said that one of the calves was found injured. No passengers were injured in the accident, which occurred at 2.17 am. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of the BJP has asked the Forest department to conduct a detailed enquiry and secure wildlife corridors, while state Congress president Gaurav Gogoi blamed “unplanned and poorly regulated development under the present government” for the accident. Top Forest Department officers have reached the site and will take up the matter with Railway officials to prevent such incidents. Several trains have been cancelled or short-terminated following the mishap. Nagaon Divisional Forest Officer Suhas Kadam said that the accident in Changjurai village is suspected to have occurred due to heavy fog in the area. “Autopsy of the dead jumbos is underway, and treatment is on for the injured one by local veterinary doctors. Cremation will be done near the accident site. Legal formalities are being followed,” he said. NFR chief spokesperson Kapinjal Kishore Sharma claimed that the accident took place at a location which is not a designated elephant corridor. “The train driver, on observing the herd of elephants, applied emergency brakes. However, the jumbos dashed with the train,” he added. Trains scheduled to pass through the affected section have been diverted through the UP line, and restoration work is underway, Sharma added. He further said that nine trains have been cancelled, 13 regulated, and two short-terminated following the accident. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
21 December,2025 02:15 PM IST | Assam | AgenciesPrime Minister Narendra Modi visited Assam on Saturday. In a rally after inaugurating a new terminal of the Guwahati airport he attacked the Congress for “neglecting” Assam and the Northeast during its rule, and asserted that the BJP government was correcting “mistakes” the grand old party kept making in the region for decades. “The Congress gave protection to infiltrators who grabbed forests and land, threatening the security and identity of Assam... The BJP government has been correcting mistakes the Congress kept making for decades in the Northeast,” the PM asserted. The airport he announced is the “country’s first nature-themed airport”, designed to handle 131 lakh passengers per year, officials said. The R5000-crore project has been developed by Guwahati International Airport Ltd, with operations led by Adani Airport Holdings Ltd. On Sunday the PM lay to foundation stone for a Rs 10,600-crore brownfield ammonia-urea plant in Dibrugarh district of Assam. Modi arrived in Assam on Saturday on a two-day trip, during which he is set to unveil multiple projects worth Rs 15,600 crore. All of this comes around three months before the state is due to go for assembly polls. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
21 December,2025 02:12 PM IST | Guwahati | AgenciesDense fog engulfed large parts of North India on Saturday morning, severely reducing visibility and disrupting daily life across several states. A thick blanket of fog, compounded by high pollution levels, led to near-zero visibility in many areas. In Agra, the iconic Taj Mahal was almost completely obscured by fog. The footage, shot from the Taj View Point, showed the monument disappearing into a dense white haze, leaving only faint outlines visible. Several tourists and locals expressed disappointment after being unable to view the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The visuals quickly drew reactions on social media, with users remarking on the unusually poor visibility and joking that the Taj Mahal had “vanished” behind the fog. Others compared the experience to seeing the monument only in postcards rather than in real life. Users online reacted saying, “North India winter doing VFX on a Wonder of the World” and “Where’s Taj Mahal, bro?” In response to the prevailing cold wave and dense fog, the Agra district administration announced revised school timings. From December 20 until further notice, all council, aided and recognised schools, including CBSE and ICSE institutions, will operate from 10 am to 3 pm for students from Classes 1 to 8. Dense fog was also reported in Ayodhya, where visibility remained low throughout the morning. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded a minimum temperature of 9 degrees Celsius in the city. The IMD has issued an orange alert for dense to very dense fog across parts of Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, warning that foggy conditions are likely to persist on Sunday as well. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
21 December,2025 02:10 PM IST | Agra | AgenciesThe state BJP office in Assam has been decked up to welcome PM Narendra Modi on Saturday, state party president Dilip Saikia said. Modi is likely to focus on organisational matters during his interaction with party leaders when he visits the Vajpayee Bhawan in Basistha area of the city, Saikia told PTI. "This is the first time that a Prime Minister will be visiting our state party office. We are looking forward to welcoming him", he said. Modi will arrive in Guwahati on a two-day tour of the state on Saturday afternoon. He will be visiting the party office in the evening as part of his first day's programme. The new state party office was inaugurated in October 2022 by BJP national president J P Nadda and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. State BJP spokesperson Dewan Dhruba Jyoti Maral said about 280 party leaders will be present in the closed-door meeting. He said the invitees include former state party presidents, former and incumbent MPs, ministers, MLAs. Maral said nearly one lakh people are expected to welcome the PM along the 25-km route from the Guwahati airport to the state party office. Cultural troupes of nearly all communities of the state will be performing along the route, with Modi scheduled to participate in a roadshow on the stretch, he added. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
20 December,2025 05:18 PM IST | Guwahati | PTIADVERTISEMENT
-1766292504757_d.png "PM Narendra Modi. File Pic")
-1766227023235_d.png "PM Modi is likely to focus on organisational matters during his interaction with party leaders. File Pic")