Western Railway, while sharing Mumbai local train updates, on Thursday said that it will operate a jumbo block between Vasai Road and Bhayandar stations on the intervening night of Friday and Saturday, 19-20 December 2025. The jumbo block will be operated to carry out essential maintenance work, an official statement said. The block will be in place for 5 hours and 15 minutes on both the Up and Down Fast lines, affecting train services during late-night and early-morning hours, it said. Block timings According to a press release issued by Vineet Abhishek, Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, the Up Fast line will remain blocked from 11.30 pm to 3.00 am. The Down Fast line will be blocked from 1.15 am to 4.45 am between Vasai Road and Bhayandar stations. During the jumbo block, all Fast line trains will be diverted and operated on the Slow lines between Virar and Bhayandar or Borivali stations. Western Railway said the block is necessary for the maintenance of tracks, signalling systems and overhead equipment, which is essential for the safety and reliability of train operations. Passengers advised to plan their travel Passengers travelling late at night and early morning are advised to plan their journeys accordingly and expect possible delays due to the diversion of fast trains, the official statement said. Commuters create ruckus at Byculla after AC local skips Dadar halt Meanwhile, in a different incident on Wednesday, during the morning rush hour an AC fast local train on the Central Railway line failed to open its doors at Dadar station, forcing commuters to alight at the next stop, Byculla, around 6.4 km away. The incident involved the 10:42 am Badlapur–CSMT AC local, which halted at Dadar as scheduled but departed without opening its automatic doors. Several commuters who intended to disembark at Dadar were left stranded inside the train, causing widespread frustration. The Badlapur-CSMT train arrived at Dadar, and there were lots of commuters inside the train who wanted to disembark at Dadar. The train halted as usual, but the doors did not open, and the train departed. The next station was Byculla, and people missed their schedules. Mukesh Makhija, one of the commuters travelling in the fast AC local train, emphasised, “The Badlapur–CSMT train arrived at Dadar, and there were lots of commuters inside who wanted to get down. The train halted as usual, but the doors did not open, and it left the station,” said AC local commuter Mukesh Makhija. “The next stop was Byculla, and many people missed their schedules.” Angered by the inconvenience, commuters created a ruckus at Byculla station and confronted the railway authorities about the incident. According to passengers, they approached the motorman to seek an explanation.
18 December,2025 04:19 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentCommuters travelling on the Jogeshwari–Vikhroli Link Road (JVLR) in Mumbai on Tuesday evening faced severe traffic congestion near Powai, with many reporting delays of several hours. Traffic on the busy stretch came to a near standstill reportedly as large crowds gathered for IIT Bombay’s annual cultural festival, mood-indigo. Traffic officials said the spillover of students and visitors attending the event led to heavy congestion in and around Powai. According to officials, the traffic jam began in the evening and continued for several hours before easing late at night. "Heavy congestion occurred along the JVLR due to a large influx of students attending the Mood Indigo festival at IIT Bombay. The Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road (JVLR) is experiencing significant delays due to poor crowd management," Chandivali Citizens Welfare Association (CCWA) posted along with a video of traffic snarls on X. Heavy congestion occurred along the JVLR due to a large influx of students attending the Mood Indigo festival at IIT Bombay. The Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road (JVLR) is experiencing significant delays due to poor crowd management pic.twitter.com/uD4x7MNmVL — Chandivali Citizens Welfare Association (CCWA) (@ChandivaliCCWA) December 16, 2025 Traffic Police steps in “We already have traffic police on site and now things have begun to normalise,” a traffic control official said, adding that additional personnel were deployed to manage the situation. The Mumbai Traffic Police also confirmed on social media that traffic movement was slow due to a college event at IIT Bombay’s main gate near Sakinaka. कॉलेज विद्यार्थ्यांच्या कार्यक्रमामुळे पवई आयआय टी मेनगेट ( साकीनाका ) येथे जाणारी वाहतूक संथ गतीने सुरू आहे.Traffic Movement Is Slow At Powai IIT MainGate (Sakinaka) Due To Collage student event#MTPTrafficUpdate — Mumbai Traffic Police (@MTPHereToHelp) December 16, 2025 Commuters report matter on X Several commuters expressed their frustration over the long delays. A Powai resident said it took him over an hour to travel from Rambaug Chowki to IIT Bombay on a two-wheeler, a journey that usually takes much less time. "It took me 1.25 hrs to travel from Rambaug Chowki to IIT Bombay, on a two wheeler. The traffic was also bad on Khairane road and Chandivali farm Road," a Powai resident told mid-day on Tuesday night. Some of the commuters also took to social media to highlight the chaos. One user posted that a journey to Thane, which normally takes around 30 minutes, was showing a travel time of nearly three hours, and sought help from Mumbai Traffic Police. @CMOMaharashtra, @CPMumbaiPolice, @mybmc : You want more buildings approved in Powai. We are choking with full time commercial traffic and congestion in #hiranandani powai. Today its taken 2 hours to move 2-3 kms from #Khanjurmarg to #Powai on #JVLR. @RanaDaggubati. pic.twitter.com/i6HY3SJLAi — Hanuman Tripathi (@ThinkerTrips) December 16, 2025 Officials said the traffic situation gradually improved later in the night as crowds dispersed and festival-related movement reduced. Commuters have been advised to avoid the Powai-JVLR stretch during large events at IIT Bombay in the future. Today the chaos at Powai was unimaginable. Horrendous traffic management and crazy jam.And mind you , I come from Bangalore — Ramalingam S (@watsubram) December 16, 2025
18 December,2025 03:06 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentWith the State Election Commission (SEC) preparing for civic elections across Maharashtra, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) has come into force. The MCC is a set of guidelines designed to ensure free, fair and impartial elections by imposing restrictions on governments, political parties and candidates once the election schedule is announced. Why the Model Code of Conduct matters Under Articles 243K and 243ZA of the Constitution, the State Election Commission is tasked with supervising, directing and controlling elections to local self-government bodies. Accordingly, general elections are due for 29 municipal corporations, including the BMC and 28 other civic bodies listed in Appendix 1 of the SEC notification. Ward formation and reservation for all 29 civic bodies have already been completed. Draft electoral rolls were published earlier, objections were invited, and final ward-wise voter lists were authenticated and published on December 15, 2025. What is the Model Code of Conduct? The Election Commission has framed a set of rules to ensure free and fair elections. These rules are known as the Model Code of Conduct. Once elections are announced, it becomes mandatory for the government, political parties, candidates and leaders to strictly follow these rules. The MCC comes into force immediately after the election dates are declared. Any violation during this period can invite strict action from the Election Commission. Key features of the Model Code of Conduct The MCC clearly lays down how political parties, ruling parties, opposition candidates, leaders and workers should behave during the election process. It includes rules related to: Public meetings and rallies Processions Poll-day conduct Official functioning of the ruling party during the election period How long will the MCC remain in force? The State Election Commission announced elections for 29 municipal corporations on Monday, December 15, 2025. As a result, the Model Code of Conduct came into force on the same day and will remain applicable until the entire election process is completed. Since vote counting will take place on January 16, 2026, the MCC will remain in effect until that date. It will cease once the results are officially declared. Major rules under the Model Code of Conduct Public money cannot be used for activities that benefit any particular political party or leader. Government vehicles, aircraft and official residences cannot be used for election campaigning. The ruling party cannot announce new government schemes, inaugurations or foundation-laying ceremonies. Political parties, candidates or supporters must obtain police permission before taking out rallies or processions. Votes cannot be sought in the name of religion or caste during election campaigns. No government vehicles, including aircraft and cars, can be used for the benefit of any party or candidate. Transfers and appointments of officials directly or indirectly connected with election work are completely banned. Any transfer or appointment, if unavoidable, requires prior approval from the Election Commission. No minister from the Centre or the state government can summon election officials for official discussions during the election period. Spending government funds on advertisements highlighting the achievements of the ruling party in print or electronic media is prohibited. Hoardings or advertisements showcasing the performance of the ruling party cannot be displayed at the cost of the government exchequer. The ruling party cannot release advertisements in newspapers, electronic or any other media using public funds. If work orders issued before the election announcement have not yet commenced, such work cannot be started during the MCC period. However, ongoing works may continue. In emergency situations such as droughts, floods, pandemics or other natural disasters, or for welfare measures for senior citizens and persons with disabilities, the government may seek prior permission from the Election Commission. Political advertisements cannot be displayed on government-owned buses, including on the back of bus tickets. List of 29 municipal corporations covered under the statewide election programme As per Annexure–1 issued by the Maharashtra State Election Commission, elections will be conducted across 29 municipal corporations spread over multiple divisions of the state. Konkan Division MumbaiNavi MumbaiThaneUlhasnagarKalyan-DombivliMira-Bhayandar Nashik Division NashikPune DivisionPunePimpri-ChinchwadSolapurKolhapurSangli-Miraj-Kupwad Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) Division Chhatrapati SambhajinagarJalnaNanded-WaghalaAmravati DivisionAmravatiAkola Nagpur Division NagpurChandrapur Other Municipal Corporations LaturParbhaniJalgaonDhuleAhmednagarMalegaonIchalkaranjiVasai-VirarPanvelBeed These municipal corporations will follow the revised voter list update schedule announced by the State Election Commission ahead of the upcoming civic body elections. (Source: State Election Commission)
18 December,2025 02:59 PM IST | MumbaiBandra and Esplanade Courts were put on high alert on Thursday after receiving a bomb threat via email. Mumbai Police immediately launched security checks and intensified precautionary measures at the premises. Following the alert, local police teams and bomb detection and disposal squads were rushed to the spots. As a precautionary measure, court proceedings were suspended and the affected court premises were evacuated to ensure the safety of advocates, staff, and visitors. Furthermore, the police officials have cordoned off the areas and tightened security while cyber teams work to trace the source of the threatening emails. While no one is being allowed to go out from inside, and no one from outside is being allowed to enter, the situation in the premises looks concerning. More details are further awaited. Nagpur court also receives bomb threat The Nagpur District and Sessions Court on Thursday also received an email claiming "bombs" inside the building. The threat prompted the police to launch a search of the premises, as reported by news agency PTI. One of the officials, while addressing the bomb threat, asserted, “Nothing suspicious has been found yet,” he said. According to District Bar Association president Roshan Bagde, the email was sent from the court's email ID in the morning, claiming that two RDX-based explosive devices would soon go off in the building, located in the Civil Lines area, reported PTI. The official further said that the security has been stepped up at the district court, and personnel from the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad are inspecting the premises, the police official said. (With inputs from Anish Patil and PTI)
18 December,2025 02:37 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA Kandivli family was left shocked after receiving an e-challan for a traffic offence allegedly committed in 2023 on a Mahindra XUV they bought only in February 2025, exposing glaring gaps in the city’s e-challan verification system. The car owner, Rajesh Yadav, a school principal from Malad, received an e-challan message on his registered mobile number in October this year. The message informed him that a fine of Rs 500 had been imposed for driving without wearing a helmet. The image with the challan shows a two-wheeler rider without a helmet, not the complainant’s car. Pics/By Samiullah Khan On checking the details, Yadav was stunned to find that the challan was dated June 2023, nearly two years before his family had even purchased the Mahindra XUV. “For a moment, I wondered if there was a new rule asking car drivers to wear helmets,” he said. However, when Yadav opened the photograph attached to the challan, it clearly showed a motorcycle with two riders, neither wearing helmets. The vehicle in the image was not his car. Rajesh Yadav, who was issued the erroneous e-challan against his car for a helmet violation Yadav said his family purchased the XUV on February 14, 2025. He added that while driving his mother to Bombay Hospital via the Coastal Road in August, he had received two overspeeding challans, which he promptly paid. But the helmet violation challan, received later in October, was both incorrect and dated much before the vehicle was even registered in his name. “How can a helmet offence meant for a two-wheeler be issued against a car? At the very least, officials should verify whether the vehicle is a bike or a four-wheeler before sending a challan,” Yadav said. He has not paid the fine and said he will respond only after receiving an official clarification. Rajesh Yadav shows the erroneous e-challan issued against his car for a helmet violation A traffic department official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the challan was originally generated for a two-wheeler rider who violated traffic rules. Due to a similarity in vehicle registration numbers, the challan was mistakenly sent to Yadav’s registered mobile number. The official termed it a human error and said the challan can be cancelled by filing a grievance through the MTP app using the registered mobile number. Timeline at a glance >> Date of alleged offence: June 5, 2023>> Date of car purchase: February 14, 2025>> Date challan received: October 21, 2025
18 December,2025 02:22 PM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanCongress Member of Legislative Council (MLC) Pradnya Satav joined the BJP in Mumbai on Thursday, hours after submitting her resignation from the Upper House of the Maharashtra legislature, reported news agency PTI. She joined the BJP in the presence of the ruling party's Maharashtra chief Ravindra Chavan and Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, reported PTI. Satav, the wife of late Rajiv Satav, a Congressman and close confidant of Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, hails from Hingoli district in the state's Marathwada region. She was first elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Council in 2021. Her switch in the midst of local body elections is being seen as a setback to the Congress. After her husband's death, Satav served as vice president of the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee. She was renominated to the legislative council in July last year, and her term was to end in 2030. Earlier in the day, Satav submitted her resignation as an MLC to the legislature secretariat after speaking to Legislative Council Chairman Ram Shinde, sources had said. Besides Satav, former MLA from Solapur district Dilip Mane also joined the BJP. Elections to the 29 municipal corporations in the state will take place on January 15, and votes will be counted the next day. Ex-Sena (UBT) corporator Tejasvee Ghosalkar joins BJP Meanwhile, former Shiv Sena (UBT) corporator Tejasvee Ghosalkar joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in Mumbai on Monday, ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls. Tejasvee Ghosalkar, who had served as the Sena (UBT) women's wing head in the Dahisar assembly constituency in north Mumbai, is the daughter-in-law of former MLA Vinod Ghosalkar. Her husband, Abhishek Ghosalkar, was shot dead in early 2024 during a Facebook Live, allegedly by local resident Morris Noronha. Abhishek was also a former corporator of the BMC. She joined the BJP on Monday in the presence of its Mumbai chief Ameet Satam and party MLC Pravin Darekar. Later, speaking to reporters, Tejasvee Ghosalkar said she had worked diligently in the Shiv Sena (UBT) and would now work harder in her new party. "I will accept any responsibility given to me by the party. There are many things I wish to say, but I cannot do so at the moment," she said. She also expressed disappointment over the slow pace of the investigation into the murder of her husband. "The CBI probe into my husband's murder is moving at a slow pace. I hope it will be completed at the earliest," she said. In September last year, the Bombay High Court handed over the probe into the murder to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), underlining certain lapses and loose ends in the police probe. Tejasvee Ghosalkar was corporator of the (then undivided) Shiv Sena from 2017 to 2022. She had quit from her posts in the Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena (UBT), citing personal reasons. (With inputs from PTI)
18 December,2025 02:12 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA court in Maharashtra's Thane district has acquitted a 33-year-old man accused of throwing two children from a building, killing one of them, reported news agency PTI. In his order on Tuesday, Principal District and Sessions Judge S B Agrawal said the case against Aasif Shabbir Khan lacked direct eyewitnesses and that it depended on a child's testimony, which was inconsistent, reported PTI. According to case papers, Khan allegedly threw five-year-old Sayyad Zohan Hussain and four-year-old Zenab Ansari from the second floor of a building in the Kausa area in February 2023. While Sayyad died, Zenab survived, reported PTI. The prosecution's case primarily rested on Zenab's testimony and her disclosure to her mother. The children reportedly called the accused "phatakewala uncle" because he had distributed crackers to them during Diwali. However, Judge Agrawal noted that the case had no direct eyewitnesses and relied heavily on the word of a child witness whose testimony became inconsistent under cross-examination, reported PTI. The Thane court pointed out a suspicious delay in reporting the incident and "the FIR itself appears to be an outcome of a concocted story". Judge Agrawal also took into account the defence's submission that the building's construction was incomplete and that the children may have fallen accidentally, reported PTI. The Thane court concluded that the prosecution had failed to prove the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt and ordered that Khan be released forthwith. Thane woman, brother get bail in case of sexually assaulting her minor son In another case, a Thane court has granted bail to a woman and her brother arrested on charges of sexually assaulting her 10-year-old son, reported PTI. The case was registered based on information provided by the father of the victim, who lived with his mother at Lokmanya Nagar in Maharashtra's Thane city following his parents' separation, reported PTI. The child was allegedly sexually assaulted by his maternal uncle and mother since 2021. The case was registered after the victim contacted a child helpline on July 30 this year. The boy's mother and uncle were arrested on August 7 under relevant provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Act, 2015, reported PTI. (With inputs from PTI)
18 December,2025 01:44 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentIn a major crackdown, the Kurar Police have solved a rape case and arrested the accused within 12 hours of registering the FIR. The case was registered under Sections 376, 506(2), and 34 of the Indian Penal Code. The First Information Report (FIR) was filed on December 13, 2025, at 9:14 am, based on a complaint lodged by a woman. The complainant further alleged that around 15 years ago, the accused forced her into physical relations after administering a sedative mixed in a cold drink. While filing the FIR, the victim also claimed that the accused had allegedly recorded a video. Police officials, while speaking about the incident, said that the survivor decided to approach the authorities after learning through a WhatsApp group for persons with disabilities that the accused had allegedly committed similar acts against five to six other women as well. After confiding in her husband, she filed a formal complaint, following which the police registered the case. The arrested accused has been identified as Mahesh Ramesh Pawar (45), a resident of Kalpavriksha Complex, Virar West, Palghar district, according to Kurar Police. During the investigation, the police traced the location of the accused’s mobile phone, laid a trap, and subsequently arrested him through a focused search operation. The operation was carried out under the guidance of Senior Police Inspector Sanjeev Tawade of Kurar Police Station. The investigating team included API Sanjay Gholve, PSI Somnath Jadhav, and police personnel Baban Rathod, Shrikant Gore, Bala Vairal, Santosh Phadtare, and HC Bhogle from Dindoshi Police Station. While the accused has been arrested by the authorities, further investigation in the case is ongoing.
18 December,2025 01:41 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, along with his deputies Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde, paid rich tributes on Thursday to veteran sculptor and Padma Shri awardee Dr Ram Sutar, whose work earned Indian sculpture global acclaim. Dr Sutar passed away at his Noida residence late Wednesday night at the age of 100, reported news agency PTI. In his condolence message, Fadnavis said Sutar’s demise marked the end of an era in the field of sculpture, noting that his creations were distinguished by their proportion and lifelike expression. The chief minister recalled that he had recently visited Sutar’s residence in New Delhi to confer upon him the Maharashtra Bhushan award and was deeply moved when the centenarian artist recited lines from the song ‘Maharashtra Majha’ while accepting the honour. Best known for monumental works such as the Statue of Unity depicting Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and the statue of V D Savarkar at the Cellular Jail in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Sutar remained actively engaged in his craft even at the age of 100. He was involved in work related to the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar memorial at Indu Mill in Mumbai, Fadnavis said, reported PTI. Fadnavis added that Sutar’s art would endure for generations and that every viewing of his sculptures would evoke his memory. He also spoke to the sculptor’s son, Anil Sutar, over the phone to offer condolences and said the state government stood with the bereaved family. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde expressed deep grief over Sutar’s demise, describing his passing as the end of a glorious era in Indian sculpture. Calling Sutar a “Kohinoor of the world of sculpture,” Shinde said the veteran artist took Indian culture and the thoughts of great leaders to the global stage through his monumental works, reported PTI. Ajit Pawar described Sutar’s passing as the end of a golden era in Indian sculpture. In his condolence message, Pawar said Ram Sutar was the “Bhishmacharya of sculpture,” whose contribution to the field would remain unmatched. “The country has lost a highly talented sculptor who gave Indian memorial art global recognition,” Pawar said, reported PTI. (With PTI inputs)
18 December,2025 12:36 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentShiv Sena (UBT) on Thursday launched a blistering attack on the Mahayuti government following reports of a debt-ridden farmer from Maharashtra allegedly selling his kidney in Cambodia to repay moneylenders, reported news agency IANS. The party mouthpiece 'Saamana' editorial, titled "The Disgrace of the Soil", described the incident not just as a crime, but as a "stain on the conscience of a state that calls itself progressive". The Thackeray camp, by linking this tragedy to the upcoming municipal elections, warned the "Marathi Manoos" that a government that cannot protect the physical integrity of its farmers cannot be trusted to protect the capital of the state. "Today it is a kidney; tomorrow, if these looters are not stopped, they will put the entire state up for auction," it claimed, reported IANS. The editorial highlighted the harrowing case of Roshan Sadashiv Kude, a farmer from Chandrapur in the Vidarbha region. After suffering total crop failure on his four-acre plot and losing his cattle to disease, Kude fell into a debt trap. Despite selling half his land, his tractor, and household belongings, he remained unable to meet the extortionate daily interest demands of Rs 10,000 imposed by local moneylenders. The editorial noted with horror that it was the moneylender who allegedly "advised" and facilitated the farmer’s journey to Cambodia to sell his organ. "In the land of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, where farmers should be protected, they are being auctioned piece by piece in foreign lands," claimed the editorial, reported IANS. The Thackeray camp has accused the state administration of being "intoxicated by power" while ignoring the rural crisis. It pointed out that while the government is busy with "event management" and announcing pre-election schemes (Government Resolutions), the agricultural backbone of the state is collapsing. “The Deputy Chief Minister speaks of 'New Maharashtra,' but in this 'New Maharashtra,' a farmer has to cross international borders to sell his kidney to keep his family alive. The "administrative dacoity" regarding municipal looting has now extended to the very bodies of the poor,” it alleged, reported IANS. Shiv Sena (UBT) slams police administration The editorial slammed the police administration, saying that had it taken the action against the four money lenders, who have now been under arrest, in time, the farmer’s life could not have been devastated. At the national level, farmers are reeling under a debt burden of a whopping Rs 12 lakh crore, of which farmers from Maharashtra are bearing the burden of Rs eight lakh crore. It is so ironic that the Centre, which writes off the debt of industries, is not giving much-needed relief to farmers by providing a crop loan waiver, which is forcing the farmers to commit suicide. According to the editorial, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had given a promise of crop loan waiver before the state Assembly elections, but now he has forgotten it after assuming power. The Thackeray camp has demanded an immediate and "merciless" action against the moneylenders and the international syndicate involved in the kidney racket. It has called for a high-level probe into the international organ trafficking links between Maharashtra and Cambodia, a debt waiver and an immediate audit of private moneylending practices in Vidarbha and Marathwada. The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena has demanded the resignation of the Agriculture Minister over this failure of the state’s safety net. (With inputs from IANS)
18 December,2025 12:24 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentCongress leader Pradnya Satav on Thursday tendered her resignation as a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) of Maharashtra, reported news agency PTI. Her term was scheduled to end in 2030. Satav, the wife of late Rajiv Satav, a Congressman and close confidant of Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, is expected to join the BJP, reported PTI. Satav handed over her resignation to the legislature secretariat on Thursday morning after speaking to Legislative Council Chairman Ram Shinde, sources told PTI. Her exit in the midst of local elections is being seen as a setback to the Congress. Rajiv Satav was an MP from Hingoli and earlier represented the Kalamnuri assembly segment in the district. Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal said Pradnya Satav has been incommunicado since Wednesday morning after media reports about her switching sides surfaced, reported PTI. Congress leader in the legislative council Satej Patil said the party made her a legislator and he personally feels she will not take any drastic step, reported PTI. BJP media coordinator Navnath Ban said some fresh inductions will take place into the party on Thursday, reported PTI. Ex-Sena (UBT) corporator Tejasvee Ghosalkar joins BJP Meanwhile, former Shiv Sena (UBT) corporator Tejasvee Ghosalkar joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in Mumbai on Monday, ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls. Tejasvee Ghosalkar, who had served as the Sena (UBT) women's wing head in the Dahisar assembly constituency in north Mumbai, is the daughter-in-law of former MLA Vinod Ghosalkar. Her husband, Abhishek Ghosalkar, was shot dead in early 2024 during a Facebook Live, allegedly by local resident Morris Noronha. Abhishek was also a former corporator of the BMC. She joined the BJP on Monday in the presence of its Mumbai chief Ameet Satam and party MLC Pravin Darekar. Later, speaking to reporters, Tejasvee Ghosalkar said she had worked diligently in the Shiv Sena (UBT) and would now work harder in her new party. "I will accept any responsibility given to me by the party. There are many things I wish to say, but I cannot do so at the moment," she said. She also expressed disappointment over the slow pace of the investigation into the murder of her husband. "The CBI probe into my husband's murder is moving at a slow pace. I hope it will be completed at the earliest," she said. In September last year, the Bombay High Court handed over the probe into the murder to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), underlining certain lapses and loose ends in the police probe. Tejasvee Ghosalkar was corporator of the (then undivided) Shiv Sena from 2017 to 2022. She had quit from her posts in the Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena (UBT), citing personal reasons. Differences surfaced between her and her father-in-law during the state assembly elections last year, as both wanted to contest from Dahisar. Vinod Ghosalkar eventually contested the seat on the Sena(UBT) ticket but lost to BJP's Manisha Chaudhary. The schedule for polls to various civic bodies, including the cash-rich BMC, has not yet been announced. Elections to the local bodies in Maharashtra are to be completed by January 31, 2026, as per the Supreme Court's order. (With inputs from PTI)
18 December,2025 12:06 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
