The Eknath Shinde-Shiv Sena have received record number of women candidates' requests to contest the upcoming BMC Elections 2026 with more than 2,700 candidates so far interviewed for 227 municipal wards in Mumbai, the party said on Thursday. According to an official statement, the party conducted interviews at Rangsharda, organised constituency-wise based on Mumbai’s Lok Sabha constituencies, to ensure selection of the most suitable candidates. Shiv Sena leader Rahul Shewale shared this information at a press conference in Mumbai. Party secretary Sanjay More and deputy leader Sheetal Mhatre were also present. Shewale said the overwhelming response was due to the work carried out by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde during his two-and-a-half-year tenure as Chief Minister. The development projects implemented across Mumbai and Maharashtra have boosted confidence among aspirants. “Shiv Sena’s interview programme received an unparalleled response compared to other parties. Aspirants are confident of victory due to the influence of Shinde and the work done by our party in Mumbai,” Shewale said. Shiv Sena’s focus on women participation While the exact number of women aspirants was not disclosed, the party noted an increase in female candidates stepping forward to contest the elections, signalling a growing emphasis on women’s representation in municipal governance, an official party statement said. Shiv Sena will contest the municipal elections as part of the Mahayuti alliance, aiming to secure a majority and continue its developmental agenda in Mumbai. Multi-party participation in interviews Aspirants from other parties, including the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), also appeared for interviews, highlighting the competitive nature of the selection process. Shiv Sena has appointed three observers to ensure transparency in the selection of candidates, the statement said. Party confident of victory in Mumbai polls The statement further said that the party leaders have stated, "Eknath Shinde, during his earlier two-and-a-half-year tenure as Maharashtra Chief Minister, has left a strong impact through the developmental work carried out across the state and in Mumbai. As a result, Shiv Sena is confident of victory. Due to Shinde’s influence, Shiv Sena is witnessing an overwhelming response from aspirants to contest the upcoming polls on party's ticket."
18 December,2025 09:24 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA black-shouldered kite narrowly escaped death after becoming entangled in kite-flying manja and getting stuck on a tree branch along the Aarey forest road in Mumbai on Thursday evening. The bird was found hanging several feet above the ground, struggling to free itself and clearly in distress. The incident was first spotted by Imran Udat, an Aarey resident and nature enthusiast, who noticed the trapped raptor while passing through the area. He immediately informed officials of the Forest Department from Sanjay Gandhi National Park, who rushed to the spot. Fire brigade called for rescue As the bird was trapped at a considerable height and could not be reached easily, forest officials sought help from the Mumbai Fire Brigade, officials said. Firefighters arrived soon after and, working closely with forest staff, used specialised equipment to safely bring the bird down from the tree. Manja carefully removed Officials said the manja string had tightly wrapped around the bird’s body, wings and feathers. The string was carefully removed to avoid causing further injury. The bird was found to be exhausted and dehydrated, having remained trapped for several hours. After the rescue, the black-shouldered kite was given water and shifted for medical observation and treatment. Forest officials said the bird will be released back into the wild once it regains strength and shows no signs of injury. Call to stop use of manja Speaking about the incident, Imran Udat urged people to act responsibly. “People must stop using manja altogether. These sharp strings are deadly for birds. Every year we see such avoidable injuries and deaths. A few hours of fun should not cost a life,” he said.
18 December,2025 08:59 PM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet JadhavThe Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) has removed 3,778 unauthorised posters, banners and hoardings across the city since the Model Code of Conduct came into force for the upcoming Maharashtra local body elections, officials said on Thursday. The drive was carried out by the encroachment department between 4 pm on December 15, 2025, and December 18, 2025, they said. Polling for the Thane Municipal Corporation elections is scheduled for January 15, 2026. With the Model Code of Conduct now in place, civic officials have begun strict action to ensure its proper implementation, an official statement said. The drive was conducted on the instructions of Umesh Birari, Deputy Commissioner (Elections), and under the guidance of Assistant Commissioner Sopan Bhaik. Action across all ward committees Designated officers and assistant commissioners from all nine ward committees in the Thane Municipal Corporation area participated in the operation. Apart from removing illegal advertisements, the civic body also covered foundation stones of development projects that displayed the names of public representatives, as required under election rules. Special drive across Thane During the operation, unauthorised materials were removed across the city, the officials said, adding that the action was takes across Thane and following numbers of posters, cut-outs, hoardings, etc were removed. - 630 wall posters - 897 posters - 83 cut-outs - 1,266 banners - 602 flags This brought the total number of illegal advertisements removed to 3,778. Ward-wise details The ward-wise action taken between December 15 and December 18 is as follows- - Naupada-Kopri: 754 - Wagle Estate: 512 - Lokmanya Savarkar Nagar: 508 - Vartak Nagar: 483 - Majiwada-Manpada: 327 - Uthalsar: 707 - Kalwa: 76 - Mumbra: 179 - Diva: 232 The civic administration said such enforcement drives will continue to maintain fair and transparent elections in the city. BMC removes 1323 political banners and 293 flags removed Meanwhile, ahead of the BMC Elections 2026 scheduled in January, the Mumbai civic body has launched a crackdown on political banners, posters, hoardings and flags in the city as the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) came into effect on Monday. The BMC officials on Tuesday said that as many as 1323 political banners and 293 flags were removed from government, public and private properties since Monday. A total number of 2,103 unauthorised political advertisement displays across Mumbai were removed. The operation was carried out on the instructions of Municipal Commissioner and Election Officer Bhushan Gagrani, under the leadership of Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Dr Ashwini Joshi, and with guidance from Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Special) Chanda Jadhav, officials said. Following the instructions, a special drive was carried out over the last 24 hours and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has taken action against hundreds of illegal banners and hoardings in the city.
18 December,2025 08:31 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentThe ruling Mahayuti alliance has reached a consensus on 150 out of 227 seats in Mumbai for the January 15 BMC Elections 2026, BJP leader Ameet Satam said on Thursday, reported the PTI. Addressing a press conference, Satam, who is also the BJP’s Mumbai chief, said discussions on the remaining 77 seats are ongoing and are expected to be completed within the next two to three days. Satam said the final call on the remaining seats will be taken with the approval of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. “We have arrived at a consensus on 150 seats. Talks on the remaining seats are progressing well and will conclude soon,” he said. The press conference was also attended by Industries Minister and Shiv Sena leader Uday Samant. Aim is corruption-free civic administration Ameet Satam said that the main objective of the seat-sharing arrangement is to ensure a corruption-free civic administration in Mumbai. “It is not about how many seats each party contests. The Mahayuti will contest all 227 seats and win more than 150 seats, ensuring the election of a Mahayuti mayor,” he said, according to the PTI. He added that the BJP, Shiv Sena and RPI are united and committed to fulfilling the aspirations of Mumbai’s residents. Attack on Opposition Taking a swipe at the opposition, Satam alleged that parties which ruled the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for 25 years were involved in corruption and had “sold” the city. He said attempts to change Mumbai’s character for electoral gain would be strongly opposed and defeated. No alliance with Nawab Malik’s NCP Satam also ruled out any association with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) faction led by Nawab Malik, citing serious allegations against him. Alliance will remain united: Samant Uday Samant echoed Satam’s remarks, confirming that consensus has been reached on 150 seats, with talks continuing on the rest. “More than the number of seats, it is important that the Mahayuti moves forward in unity. If there are differences on some seats, the decision will be taken by Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde,” Samant said, the news agency reported. He asserted that the alliance would not break over seat-sharing or any other issue. (with PTI inputs)
18 December,2025 08:24 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentNCP state president Sunil Tatkare, while speaking to the media on Wednesday, highlighted that the Nationalist Congress Party will make all efforts to ensure that coordination within the Mahayuti alliance is maintained. In view of strengthening the Mahayuti alliance, the NCP leader further clarified the party’s position for the upcoming BMC elections in 2026. NCP leader Sunil Tatkare, while emphasising the preparation for the upcoming civic polls, further highlighted that “Nawab Malik is the chairman of the party’s internal election management committee, and discussions and negotiations within the Mahayuti take place at the state leadership level. While talking to the media, he further added, “A decision in this regard is expected within a day or two.” Hinting about NCP’s preparations for the upcoming civic polls, he asserted that “We have conducted a review of the party’s organisational preparedness in Mumbai and other municipal corporations, during which feedback was taken from key office-bearers.” Will the NCP fight the civic elections under Mahayuti? The Maharashtra NCP chief further said that “discussions regarding contesting municipal corporation elections as part of the Mahayuti, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, would be held with NCP national president Ajit Pawar and national working president Praful Patel later in the night.” “After further deliberations, the next steps will be taken, keeping Mahayuti’s broader perspective in mind.” However, while responding to questions about comments made by BJP Mumbai chief Amit Satam, the NCP leader did not say anything. However, he further added that discussions had already taken place with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister and NCP national president Ajit Pawar, and Praful Patel. “After these meetings, Ajit Pawar, Praful Patel and I held detailed discussions. However, I will once again speak with Ajit Pawar. As state president, Mumbai and all divisions fall under my jurisdiction,” Sunil Tatkare clarified. Reiterating the party’s stand for the upcoming BMC elections in 2026, Tatkare asserted that fighting elections as part of the Mahayuti remains the NCP’s priority. “As part of that effort, I have been in Mumbai since yesterday. We will hold positive discussions on Saturday and place the final decision before the public,” he added.
18 December,2025 08:23 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentWestern Railway has opened a digital lounge and co-working space at Mumbai Central station (Main Line) as part of its ongoing efforts to modernise passenger amenities, officials said on Thursday. This is the first such facility introduced by Western Railway and aims to provide a convenient and comfortable workspace within the railway station for passengers, they said. Designed for business travellers and professionals Spread across 1,700 square feet, the digital lounge has been designed to meet the needs of business travellers, professionals and remote workers. It offers a quiet and functional environment for passengers who require office facilities, meeting spaces or a place to work while travelling, an official statement said. The initiative addresses the changing travel habits of passengers, many of whom now work on the move. Modern amenities on offer The Western Railway officials said that the digital lounge is equipped with a range of modern facilities, including- - High-speed Wi-Fi and multiple charging points - Comfortable seating with chairs, tables and sofas - Dedicated conference and meeting rooms - Flexible spaces for meetings and video conferencing - Modular workstations for individual use - Self-service light refreshments and non-alcoholic beverages - Upgraded toilet and washroom facilities Will generate non-fare revenue According to the officials, the project is expected to generate around Rs 3.20 crore in revenue over five years, contributing to Western Railway’s non-fare revenue initiatives. Officials said that the digital lounge reflects Indian Railways’ efforts to align with India’s growing digital economy and the increasing culture of flexible and remote working. Badlapur station revamp: New FOBs, elevated decks and other infrastructure works underway Meanwhile, in an another statement, the Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC) said that it has made significant progress on infrastructure works at Badlapur railway station to enhance commuter safety, improve passenger amenities, and support the proposed 3rd and 4th railway lines between Kalyan and Badlapur Several key facilities have already been commissioned to improve passenger movement and control trespassing. These include a 330-metre-long home platform, opened in February 2024, a 6-metre-wide Foot Over Bridge (FOB) at the Karjat end, opened in December 2022, connecting all platforms for east-west access and two new 12-metre-wide FOBs, opened in March and June 2025. Construction is ongoing for an elevated deck connecting both 12-metre-wide FOBs over platforms 1 and 2. A major portion of the deck was commissioned in March 2025, and the remaining section is now under construction following the removal of an old middle FOB, the official statement said. Recent milestone During a six-hour night block from 13-14 December 2025, MRVC successfully launched all 17 remaining girders, including major cross girders, for the elevated deck. The work involved 40 personnel, a 150-tonne crane, and two 15-tonne Faranas. Despite congested site conditions, the work was completed safely and efficiently, the official statement said.
18 December,2025 08:08 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBrihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has began gearing up for the upcoming municipal elections and the Mumbai civic chief on Thursday orders strict enforcement of Model Code of Conduct (MCC) in city. BMC Commissioner and District Election Officer Bhushan Gagrani directed election officers to personally inspect polling stations to ensure the smooth conduct of the BMC Elections 2026. He also instructed the police, excise department and other agencies to take preventive measures for the effective implementation of the MCC, officials said. Joint meeting at BMC HQ The directions were issued during a joint meeting of municipal officials, election decision officers, police and excise department officials held at the BMC headquarters on December 18, 2025. The meeting was chaired by Gagrani, they said. According to an official statement, several senior officials, including Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Dr Ashwini Joshi, Special Officer (Elections) Vijay Balamwar, and Deputy District Election Officer Vijaykumar Suryavanshi, were present, along with 23 election decision officers. Polling stations to be verified before finalisation Gagrani said that the State Election Commission (SEC) has laid down clear guidelines for polling station selection. As per these norms, there are around 10,111 polling stations across the BMC area, the statement said. He said facilities such as electricity, drinking water, toilets and ramps have been provided at these centres. Election officers have been asked to verify these facilities on site before preparing the final list of polling stations. Voter assistance centres to be set up Civic chief directed officials to establish Voter Assistance Centres near polling stations to help voters locate their names. He also asked for information boards to be installed at polling centres for voter guidance, the statement said. The process of appointing officers and staff for election duties has begun. All personnel involved in the election process will receive mandatory training covering voting procedures, election laws, the Model Code of Conduct, EVM handling, and responsibilities at polling stations. Gagrani stressed that training is compulsory and all instructions must be followed strictly to ensure a successful election. Strict vigil to enforce Model Code of Conduct To ensure the strict enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct, the commissioner instructed the police, excise department and other agencies to work in close coordination, the official statement said. It said that special attention will be given to sensitive and highly sensitive areas to maintain law and order. Measures will include regular patrolling, vehicle checks, checkpoints and swift action against suspicious activities. Any violation of the Model Code of Conduct will invite immediate and strict action, Gagrani warned.
18 December,2025 08:01 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAhead of BMC elections 2026, the Congress Member of Legislative Council (MLC) Pradnya Satav joined the BJP on Thursday. The former Congress leader made this move hours after submitting her resignation from the Upper House of the Maharashtra legislature. While talking to the media on Thursday, Pradnya said, "My late husband, Rajeev, had certain plans for the development of Hingoli district. I want to fulfil those plans by working with the BJP," as reported by news agency PTI. Reacting to Pradnya’s resignation from the Congress, the party accused the BJP of not respecting democracy and breaking parties with money and posts. As reported by news agency PTI, MLC Pradnya Satav joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in the presence of Maharashtra BJP chief Ravindra Chavan and Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule. Pradnya Satav, who is the wife of the late Rajiv Satav, a congressman and close confidant of Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, hails from the Hingoli district in the state's Marathwada region. She was first elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Council in 2021. Satav’s switch in the midst of local body elections is being seen as a setback to the Congress and can hamper their performance in the upcoming elections as well. Pradnya Satav had served as Maharashtra Congress Vice President After her husband's death, Satav served as vice president of the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee. She was re-nominated to the legislative council in July last year, and her term was to end in 2030. Earlier on Thursday, Satav submitted her resignation as an MLC to the legislature secretariat after speaking to Legislative Council Chairman Ram Shinde, sources said. Besides her, former MLA from Solapur district Dilip Mane also joined the BJP, reported PTI. The development came ahead of the January 15 elections for 29 municipal corporations in the state. Senior Congress leader Nana Patole told the media in Nagpur that the BJP has become arrogant due to power and no longer respects democratic norms. Nana Patole emphasised, "Only time will tell what inducements she (Satav) got. The BJP has started a new dimension: 'money from power, and power from money', as cited by news agency PTI. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi had talked of a Congress-free India, but he has included the Congress in the BJP. If we come to power, this BJP will become empty in no time,” Nana Patole further added. (With inputs from PTI)
18 December,2025 06:58 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe State Election Commission (SEC) has announced elections for 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), on January 15, 2026. Polling will be held from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm, and counting of votes will take place on January 16, 2026. The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) came into force on December 15, 2025, across all municipal corporation areas. Political parties have already begun preparations, with criticism, praise, and rivalry heating up ahead of the elections. Below are answers to frequently asked questions: What is the BMC election? The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation election selects members to govern Greater Mumbai, India’s largest city. When is the BMC election? Polling: January 15, 2026 (7:30 am – 5:30 pm)Counting: January 16, 2026 How many voters from Mumbai will be voting for the BMC Elections? There will be a total of 1,03,44,315 voters spread across all 227 wards of Mumbai. Who is eligible to vote and how to register? Eligible voters must be Indian citizens, at least 18 years old, and ordinary residents of the concerned area. Only names on the Voter List (Electoral Roll) are eligible to vote. Voters can find details on polling booths, candidates, election dates, and EVM procedures. How to check voter registration status? Check your name on the Electoral Roll at: https://electoralsearch.eci.gov.in How many corporations will be contested? Elections will be held for 29 municipal corporations. How do I use an EVM? EVM (Electronic Voting Machine) and VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail) will be used. [Click here for a guide on using EVM/VVPAT.] What identification should I carry? Accepted photo IDs include: EPIC (Voter ID), Passport, Driving License, PAN Card, Aadhaar Card, Government Service ID, Bank/Post Office Passbook with photo, MNREGA Job Card, Health Insurance Smart Card, Pension document with photo, or official identity cards issued to MPs/MLAs/MLCs. Photo voter slips alone are not valid. What is the voting process? Elections are conducted by a hierarchy of officials, including: Election Officer and Returning Officer Presiding Officer, Assistant Presiding Officer, Polling Officers Supporting staff: Assistant Election Officers, Election Supervisors, Inspectors, Clerks Duties include finalising ward boundaries based on census data, publishing authenticated ward-wise electoral rolls, and overseeing the election process from polling to result declaration. Which parties are contesting the BMC elections 2026? The elections are expected to be a contest between: Mahayuti (ruling alliance): BJP, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde), Ajit Pawar-led NCP Maha Vikas Aghadi (opposition): Congress, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray), Sharad Pawar-led NCP–SP What is the Model Code of Conduct (MCC)? The MCC is a set of guidelines by the Election Commission to regulate party and candidate conduct during elections. It came into effect with the election announcement. No policy decisions can be made in these areas during this period, except for natural disasters or emergency relief.
18 December,2025 06:57 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Manikrao Kokate has resigned from the state cabinet following a court verdict that upheld his conviction and two-year prison sentence in a cheating and forgery case. The resignation was confirmed on Thursday by NCP president and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. In a statement, Ajit Pawar said Kokate’s resignation letter has been forwarded to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for further action, reported the PTI. Maharashtra Governor accepts request to allot Kokate’s portfolio to Pawar Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat on Wednesday accepted the request to allot state minister Manikrao Kokate’s portfolio to Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. The decision comes after Kokate’s conviction by the sessions court in Nashik. Kokate, a cabinet minister in the Mahayuti government, was recently convicted and sentenced to two years in prison in a housing quota irregularities case. After the conviction was upheld by a sessions court, pressure mounted on the state government to remove him from ministerial responsibilities. Manikrao Kokate, an MLA from Sinnar in Nashik district, had previously held important portfolios, including the agriculture ministry, before being shifted to the sports ministry after an earlier controversy. Party stresses supremacy of law Ajit Pawar said the resignation followed the court verdict and underlined that the rule of law is above individuals. “Kokate tendered his resignation to me, which has been accepted in principle, in keeping with the party’s long-standing belief that laws and rules are paramount,” Pawar said, according to the PTI. He added that public life must be guided by constitutional morality, institutional integrity and respect for the judiciary. NCP says have faith in judiciary The NCP president said that the party has full faith in the legal process and remains committed to maintaining law and order, while protecting democratic values and public trust, as per the PTI. Court verdict in 1995 case On Tuesday, the Nashik district and sessions court upheld the order of a judicial magistrate, confirming Kokate’s two-year imprisonment and a fine of ₹50,000 in a 1995 cheating and forgery case related to a government housing scheme. After rejecting his appeal, the court also issued an arrest warrant against Kokate on Wednesday. (with PTI inputs)
18 December,2025 06:50 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentTwo Mumbai residents were arrested with over 8 kg of gold worth around Rs 8 crore during a check in Kerala’s Palakkad, reported the PTI. The arrested persons have been identified as Sankith Ajay Jain (28) and Hidesh Shivram Selanki (23). The excise officials, while briefing about the incident, highlighted that the duo were intercepted during an inspection of a Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus from Coimbatore bound for Kottarakkara at the Walayar check post, as reported by news agency PTI. A search of their baggage revealed gold ornaments weighing 8.69 kg, wrapped in polythene. During the interrogation, the accused claimed that they had travelled from Mumbai to deliver the ornaments to a jewellery shop in Thrissur. However, the excise officials found that the duo were travelling without valid documents. While the accused were later handed over to the enforcement wing of the state GST department for further action. Further investigation is still underway. Hydroponic weed and gold worth over Rs 11 crore seized at Mumbai Airport In a different operation, officers of the Airport Commissionerate, Mumbai Customs Zone–3, seized hydroponic weed and gold worth over Rs 11 crore in multiple cases this week. During the three-day operation, customs officers seized 8.467 kg of hydroponic weed from a passenger arriving from Bangkok. Furthermore, they also recovered 2.270 kg of 24-carat gold dust, along with 230 grams of 24-carat gold jewellery, from different passengers at Mumbai Airport. In one case, based on spot checks and the Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS) profiling, a Bangladesh national travelling from Male to Dubai via Mumbai was apprehended while allegedly handing over four oval-shaped packets of 24-carat gold dust concealed in wax, weighing 1,460 grams and valued at Rs 1.86 crore, to a staff member of a ground handling agency (BWFS). The passenger was travelling on IndiGo flights 6E-1132 (Tuesday) and 6E-1451 (Wednesday). Both the passenger and the BWFS staff member were arrested under Section 104 of the Customs Act, 1962, customs officers said. Hydroponic weed seizure In a separate case, based on specific intelligence, customs officers recovered 8.467 kg of suspected hydroponic weed from a passenger arriving from Bangkok. The contraband is estimated to be worth Rs 8.467 crore in the illicit market. The passenger was arrested under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, officers said. (With inputs from PTI)
18 December,2025 06:27 PM IST | Palakkad | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
-1766063719442_d.png "Congress MLC Pragnya Satav joins BJP. Filepic")
