As many as 125 persons took ill due to suspected food poisoning during a pre-wedding function in Maharashtra's Thane district, police said on Monday, reported news agency PTI. A 'haldi' (turmeric application) ceremony was held on Sunday evening at a housing complex under Khadakpada police station limits in Kalyan town, where guests were served food, reported PTI. Shortly after the meal, several attendees complained of nausea, vomiting and stomach discomfort, and were rushed to nearby hospitals and clinics for medical assistance. "Around 100 to 125 people suffered food poisoning during the ceremony. All of them received timely treatment and have returned home," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Kalyan Zone-III) Atul Zende said, reported PTI. A detailed inquiry into the incident was underway, he added. The caterer who supplied the food is from Ahmedabad and has been called for questioning, an official from Khadakpada police station said, reported PTI. "Samples of the food served at the function have been sent for examination," he said. Two women arrested at Mumbai airport for illegal egg donation racket In another case, Sahar police has arrested two women at the Mumbai international airport after immigration officials uncovered an alleged illegal egg donation and surrogacy racket operating from Thane, reported PTI. Sunoti Belel (44), one of the accused, allegedly provided unmarried women as egg suppliers to fertility centres in India and abroad. Such women were shown as married with the help of forged documents, as an unmarried woman can not donate her eggs under Indian law, reported PTI. Belel, a Kalyan resident, was detained after arriving from Bangkok around 1.30 pm on Friday. About 30 minutes later, another woman passenger, Seema Vinzarat (29), a Thane resident, arrived from Bangkok and was also detained for questioning, reported PTI. Immigration officer Vaibhav Bhosale stated in his complaint that he became suspicious when Belel failed to give satisfactory answers about her travel purpose to Bangkok. During interrogation, officials learnt that Vinzarat had accompanied Belel to Bangkok as a donor for egg donation tests and was allegedly paid a substantial amount for the trip. Belel told police that she, along with absconding accused Sangita Bagul, ran an agency named Elite Care in Thane which supplied egg donors and surrogate mothers to fertility centres in India and abroad, reported PTI. She allegedly admitted to supplying unmarried women as egg donors by creating forged documents. Under the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021, a woman must be married and have at least one child of her own to donate eggs. The Act also bans commercial surrogacy, reported PTI. Vinzarat told police that she came into contact with Bagul in 2022 and, through her, sold her eggs at a hospital in Andheri. She claimed to have travelled to fertility clinics in Kenya (2024), Kazakhstan (February 2025), and Thailand (January 2026) to sell her eggs with the help of Belel and Bagul, although some attempts failed due to medical reasons, reported PTI. Vinzarat allegedly sold her eggs by falsely declaring her marital status as married. "We are ascertaining the total number of women involved in this racket," a police official said. (With inputs from PTI)
19 January,2026 12:26 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentBJP MLC Sandip Joshi, considered close to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union minister Nitin Gadkari, on Monday announced retirement from politics, stating he is stepping aside to make way for the young generation. Joshi says politics was always about service, not position In a letter addressed to well-wishers and posted on his social media handles, the 55-year-old leader said politics had always meant more to him than position or prestige, it was a path of selfless service and dedication. ... आता मला थांबायचंय !नमस्कार,हे पत्र लिहिण्याचा निर्णय सहज घेतलेला नाही. राजकारण ही माझ्यासाठी नेहमीच पद किंवा प्रतिष्ठेपेक्षा वेगळी, समाजसेवेची आणि निष्ठेची वाट होती. मात्र आज सत्तेसाठी सुरू असलेले पक्षांतर, संधीसाधूपणा आणि वाढलेली स्पर्धा सामान्य मतदारांसह निष्ठावान… pic.twitter.com/bCZHrahBt1 — Sandip Joshi (@SandipJoshiNGP) January 19, 2026 However, the ongoing defections for power, opportunism, and intensifying competition today unsettle not just ordinary voters but also loyal workers. With limited seats and rising expectations, no one is willing to step back, and this, he pointed out, is the harsh reality. ‘I should be the one to step aside,’ Joshi explains decision "Even today, I consider myself an ordinary BJP worker, but seeing this landscape, the thought has firmly taken root in my mind that I should be the one to step aside... and that is the decision I am announcing through this letter," said Joshi, who has also served as a corporator and mayor of Nagpur. Making way for "young blood" is also essential, Joshi noted, adding that, therefore, after deep reflection, he is putting a full stop to his political journey ahead. Apology to party leadership as Joshi announces exit "I am well aware that the party has elevated me. Thus, seeking forgiveness from the party's top leadership Nitin Gadkari ji and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ji, I am announcing this decision today," he said. Joshi further said his term as Member of the Legislative Council ends on May 13, 2026, and he will complete it, viewing it as a responsibility entrusted by the party. No ticket demand even if offered, says Joshi After May 13, he will not demand a ticket from the party, and even if offered, he will humbly decline it, the legislator said. It should go to some ordinary young worker or the person the party decides, he added. Plans to continue public service as social worker "After May 13, I have decided to completely retire from active politics. This decision is not born of momentary emotion but from profound deliberation. From here on, I will live as an ordinary social worker and continue serving the common people and working for them," he said. RSS and BJP shaped political journey, says Joshi Joshi acknowledged that, after his family, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh played a pivotal role in shaping him. He expressed deep gratitude to the BJP for the many opportunities it provided him throughout his political journey. ‘In BJP, even an ordinary worker can rise to the top’ The MLC said if he stays in politics, opportunities would surely come his way. "I say with pride that in the BJP alone can an ordinary worker become the country's prime minister. However, I sincerely believe that my presence should not cause injustice to any ordinary worker. And in my absence, nothing will be hindered for anyone, this is the ultimate truth," he added.
19 January,2026 12:15 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSix persons, including two police personnel, were injured during a clash between workers of two rival parties in Bhiwandi town of Maharashtra's Thane district, officials said on Monday, reported news agency PTI. KVA activists accused of stone-pelting, BJP office vandalised Activists of the Konark Vikas Aghadi (KVA), a local political outfit, allegedly hurled stones and ransacked the Bharatiya Janata Party office during the violence late Sunday night, forcing police to resort to a lathicharge to restore order, they said, reported PTI. Shivaji Chowk clash linked to civic poll tensions Violence broke out at Shivaji Chowk between KVA and BJP activists, apparently triggered by tensions following the recently concluded Bhiwandi Nizampur Municipal Corporation elections. Social media videos show stone-pelting and police intervention Videos circulating on social media showed people throwing stones and police intervening to disperse the crowd. BJP MLA alleges ‘murderous attack’ by rivals "It was a murderous attack (on BJP activists at the party office) by our rivals. They even attempted to raid my residence unsuccessfully," local BJP MLA Mahesh Chowgule alleged, reported PTI. Police personnel manhandled during violence, claims Chowgule Some people manhandled police personnel during the incident, he charged. KVA denies charges, blames BJP for triggering clash KVA functionary Vilas Patil, however, dismissed the allegations, asserting it was BJP activists who initiated the violence and that KVA members were the victims. Six injured, including police officer and constable: DCP Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone-II) Shashikant Borate said six individuals, including a police officer, a constable, and four political workers (two each from rival sides), sustained injuries and were undergoing treatment at a local hospital, reported PTI. Police lathicharge restores order; heavy security deployed Police resorted to lathicharge to disperse the rioters, he said. The situation was currently under control. Heavy security was deployed in the area to prevent further escalation, an official from the Thane city police control room said, reported PTI. Case being registered as probe continues The Nizampura police were in the process of registering a case in connection with the incident, officials said, reported PTI. Bhiwandi Nizampur civic poll results fuel political rivalry In the January 15 elections to the 90-member Bhiwandi Nizampur Municipal Corporation, the Congress secured 30 seats, the BJP 22, while the KVA managed to get only 4 seats. Seat distribution highlights fractured mandate in civic body The Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde and Sharad Pawar's NCP (SP) bagged 12 seats each, Samajwadi Party 6, Bhiwandi Vikas Aghadi (Ekta Manch) 3, while an independent got 1 seat. (With inputs from PTI)
19 January,2026 11:26 AM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentSeems as if it’s curtains for B Merwan & Co at Grant Road. Regulars of the iconic Irani cafe were surprised to find the 112-year-old popular eatery, started by Boman Merwan opposite Grant Road railway station, had shuttered last weekend. With only a notice to announce that the cafe is now shut. A notice that was put up on the door of the establishment. Pic/Viraf Langrana, Old Bombay on Facebook In 2014, mid-day had reported when the cafe had come close to shutting down, only to reopen after ‘repairs’. However, this time we fear it might be for real. When we reached out to members of the close-knit community of Parsi-Irani cafe owners, they had only heard of the news as it spread through loyal patrons. Several shared that it marks the end of an era for the city’s Irani cafe culture. The fraternity and Mumbai will be poorer, no doubt. Foodies will rue not being able to eat their mava cakes and bun-maska-chai one last time.The cafe is known for its mawa cakes and such is the demand that they are usually wiped off its shelves by afternoon. While the old timers may remember the glass-topped wooden tables, unique Irani chairs, red chequered table cloths and of course, the food with wistful fondness, the café’s offer an easier on the wallet experience than so many others.Grant Road is one of the oldest stations in the city, and there was a time when there would be a Hack Victoria (horse-driven carriages) and a taxi stand outside the station. Trains were known to stop at the station, just a little bit longer so people could buy items from Merwan.”Changing times, contemporary problems, spiralling real estate prices, the paucity of getting restaurant staff, the unwillingness of the newer generation to take over the mantle from the older generation, and a host of other factors have combined to cause Irani café’s to go off Mumbai’s gastronomic map.With one more café going kaput, it is a reminder to us that holding on to this slice of life is especially challenging for these Cafes are slipping away like the maska on the brun paav they dish out. So the question still looms: Will it reopen? Your guess is as good as ours.
19 January,2026 10:48 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarMumbai will have a Mahayuti mayor, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said on Sunday after interacting with newly-elected Shiv Sena members of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), who have been shifted to a hotel. Shinde's assertion comes amid speculation over the decision to move 29 corporators-designate of his party to a hotel after the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance secured a narrow majority in the recent BMC elections 2026. ‘Voters chose development over emotion,’ says Shinde Taking a dig at Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), Shinde said voters had chosen development over emotional issues. "Mumbai will have a Mahayuti mayor. Even neighbouring cities like Kalyan-Dombivli will have a Mahayuti mayor," he told reporters. Shinde dismisses claims of corporators being kept under watch Rejecting allegations that the corporators were being kept under watch at a luxury hotel, Shinde said the Shiv Sena was fearless. "The new corporators will get a common platform to interact at the hotel. I wanted to meet them as we are registering the group of 29 corporators with the Konkan divisional commissioner," he said, reported PTI. Uday Samant rules out repeat of post-2019 alliance shift Amid speculation in political circles over Shiv Sena's stand vis-a-vis the next mayor of Mumbai, party leader and minister Uday Samant said the civic body polls were contested as the Mahayuti alliance. When asked about demands from within the party for the mayor's post, Samant said, "Every party wants the main post, and Bal Thackeray's (birth) centenary year gives that demand a different dimension," reported PTI. Swipe at Opposition as Samant predicts corporator inaccessibility In a swipe at the Opposition, Samant said many corporators will become not-reachable, and people will realise which party they belonged to. Addressing the newly elected members, Shinde said people had rejected the Shiv Sena (UBT) and urged them to utilise the opportunity to serve citizens. Call for ward-level development plans and model constituencies He asked them to prepare ward-specific development action plans and ensure that their wards become model constituencies. Shinde also cautioned them against any conduct that could tarnish the party's image. Shinde noted that the BJP emerged as the single largest party in the civic polls, followed by the Shiv Sena, calling the results a precursor to the upcoming Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections. BJP–Shinde Sena alliance secures clear majority in BMC In the recently concluded civic polls, the alliance of the BJP and Shinde-led Sena won a clear majority in the 227-member BMC, securing 89 and 29 seats, respectively. The Sena (UBT) won 65 seats, while its ally MNS emerged victorious on six. Shinde further appealed to newly-elected Sena members to follow up on schemes like 'pagdi-free Mumbai', which refers to a plan to overhaul the old, problematic pagdi (tenant-ownership) system, aiming to clear stuck redevelopments.
19 January,2026 09:55 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMumbai greeted residents with a calm and pleasant winter morning on Monday, as mild temperatures and clear skies set a comfortable tone for the day. Early hours remained cool by the city’s standards, providing respite from the usual humidity and offering a refreshing start for morning walkers and commuters. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday forecast maximum and minimum temperatures in Mumbai at around 31 degrees Celsius and 17 degrees Celsius, respectively. During the morning, IMD Mumbai’s Colaba observatory recorded a minimum temperature of 19 degrees Celsius, while Santacruz reported a lower minimum of 15.9 degrees Celsius. Air quality across the city remained largely satisfactory. According to the Sameer app, Mumbai’s air quality index (AQI) stood at 84 on Monday, a level categorised as satisfactory. However, authorities cautioned that such conditions may cause breathing discomfort for people with lung disorders, asthma, or heart-related ailments. AQI levels at key locations in Mumbai on Monday were recorded as follows: Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC): 87 Borivali East: 104 Byculla: 60 Andheri East: 89 Colaba: 59 Deonar: 101 Dense smog engulfs Delhi; AQI slips to 'severe' category at 418 A thick blanket of smog engulfed several parts of the national capital on Monday morning, sharply reducing visibility and worsening air quality across Delhi-NCR, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 418, falling in the 'severe' category. According to the data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the ITO area was recorded at 434, placing it in the "severe" category. Similar conditions prevailed near Rafi Marg, where the AQI stood at 417, while areas around the Swaminarayan Akshardham temple in Pandav Nagar reported an AQI of 455. Several other locations across the capital also witnessed alarmingly high pollution levels. Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 462, Ashok Vihar 473, Bawana 448, Burari 460, Chandni Chowk 454, Dwarka Sector-8 427, Mundka 467, Narela 437, Punjabi Bagh 434, RK Puram 439, Rohini 437 and Wazirpur 472. All these areas remained in the 'severe' category, indicating extremely poor air quality and heightened health risks. As per the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 8 degrees Celsius on Monday, while the maximum temperature is expected to reach around 25 degrees Celsius later in the day.
19 January,2026 09:32 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Mumbai Marathon on Sunday was not just a celebration of fitness but a powerful showcase of inclusivity, determination and human spirit, as participants from diverse backgrounds proved that endurance goes far beyond physical ability. Among the standout groups was the Dahisar-based Sankalp Yoga Kendra, whose members have been practising yoga together for over 12 years at Pandit Deendayal Garden. More than 100 participants from the group completed the 6 km run, sending out a message that yoga remains a lifelong path to fitness. Ramesh Shukla (left) lost both legs in a train accident in 2019, while Angelo Frances had a similar accident in 2012 “We formed this group only for people’s health,” said Sudhakar Nalawade, one of the founders. “Every year, we run this marathon to spread the message that yoga is the solution for everything. It keeps you fit and fine.” At Matunga’s Damale Yoga Kendra, around 10 women aged above 80 years completed the 10 km run. The group has been practising yoga together for the past 17 years. “We want to live fit and fine till the end of our lives,” the women told mid-day. “At the age of 80 and 90, we are healthy because of yoga. We want people to practise yoga every day. Yoga is the only solution.” Specially abled participants from Tamil Nadu, brought in by NGO Amar Seva Sangam, covered 1.5 km on wheelchairs Adding to the spirit of inclusion were nearly 20 members from the Little People India Foundation, who ran 6 km. National awardee Disha Pandya said the aim was to challenge perceptions about physical appearance. “Our height may be small, but our dreams are big,” she said. “We want to prove that we are no different from others. Since forming the group in 2019, we now have 450 members. Many are engineers, government employees, actors and even IAS officers. This is the seventh time we are running the marathon.” From Tamil Nadu, around 40 specially-abled participants took part in the event, covering 1.5 km on wheelchairs. They were brought to Mumbai for the event by the NGO Amar Seva Sangam, which has been participating in the marathon for the past 16 years. “These individuals deserve equality,” said Kalaimani from the NGO. “We provide education and employment opportunities for children and adults with disabilities.” India’s wheelchair basketball players also made a strong presence, with nearly 60 athletes participating in the 1.5 km wheelchair run. Members of Dahisar-based Sankalp Yoga Kendra take part in the 6 km run; the group has been practising yoga together for over 12 years Team India captain Geeta Chouhan said the run was about visibility and acceptance. “Many people lose their legs or hands, but they are not alone. Sports gives them confidence and identity.” Yoga therapist Alpa Paresh Vira, who trains the players, added, “I help them learn wheelchair movement and basketball skills. My goal is for them to receive the respect and equality they deserve.” Among the most inspiring participants was Ramesh Shukla, who lost both his legs in a train accident at Thakurli railway station in 2019. Now fitted with hydraulic above-knee prosthetic legs, Shukla completed the 6 km run. “I lost my legs, but not my will to live,” he said. “I completed my graduation and now motivate others who met with similar accidents. Life does not end here. It can always be restarted.” He was joined by Angelo Frances, who lost both legs in a train accident at Kurla station in 2012, reinforcing the marathon’s message that resilience has no limits.
19 January,2026 08:28 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirish VaktaniaFor many, the city’s marathon on Sunday was about fitness, endurance and celebration. But for ragpicker Shankar Kumar and his wife Rekha, it became an opportunity to earn nearly a week’s income in a single day. As thousands of runners and spectators lined the route, the couple quietly worked along the sidelines, collecting discarded plastic bottles, cups and food wrappers left behind during and after the event. By the end of the day, Kumar estimated they had gathered around 60 kg of plastic waste, almost equal to what he usually collects over an entire week. “On a normal day, I earn little by little, depending on how much plastic I can find, and that too by running around multiple areas,” Kumar told mid-day. “But today itself feels like one full week’s work.” Plastic waste typically fetches him around Rs 15 per kg from his regular scrap dealer. At that rate, his earnings for the day are expected to touch nearly Rs 1000, a significant amount for a family that survives on daily waste collection. While the plastic had not yet been weighed at the time of speaking, Kumar said years of experience had taught him to estimate quantities accurately. Volunteers distribute water bottles to marathoners on the Coastal Road. The bottles later became a key source of income for ragpickers who collected discarded waste along the route. Pic/ASHISH RAJE “For us, such events offer a rare chance to boost our income in a short time,” he said. “But our work remains unrecognised and unsupported, even though we play a crucial role in recycling and reducing the burden on landfills.” Kumar added that this hardship is why he does not want his son to follow in his footsteps. “I want him to study and have a job where he sits in an AC office,” he said. His 8-year-old son, Vicky, who studies in a BMC school in South Mumbai, accompanied his parents on Sunday as he had a school holiday. “My hands are tiny, but I can still help my parents instead of just playing with my friends back home,” the boy said. Mega events like marathons generate large volumes of single-use plastic waste through water bottles and food packaging. While this raises concerns about environmental sustainability and waste management, it also brings attention to the invisible labour of informal workers who clean up what the city leaves behind.
19 January,2026 08:24 AM IST | Mumbai | Ritika GondhalekarWith thousands of Mumbaikars bringing their best to the iconic annual Tata Mumbai Marathon (TMM), the disabled community refused to remain on the sidelines, with about 1140 such participants taking to their heels on Sunday. While most runners mark their feat in run time and mileage, 42-year-old Ekinath Khedekar will remember this marathon owing to a whole new experience. “I have been running marathons and participating in cycling contests for nearly 20 years now. But this time around, the switch flipped,” said the veteran marathoner who finished his 10K on Sunday morning. “As a completely blind participant, I usually run with support. This time around, the person assisting me seemed to slow down mid-run. I could sense that fatigue was getting the better of her. Soon, she confided that she has Thalassaemia,” he told mid-day. Thalassaemia affects one’s body’s ability to produce healthy, haemoglobin-carrying red blood cells. As a result, a person may experience fatigue sooner. “I was still stunned after the marathon. Often, we are too caught up with visible disabilities that the invisible ones leave us with a changed perspective,” he added. Kapil Sahu (left) with Manish Jain, his guide runner Another runner, 36-year-old Kapil Sahu, ran the whole stretch in a first, reaching 42.195 km in 4 hours 45 minutes. Madhya Pradesh native, Sahu, is partially blind with 25 per cent vision in one eye and completely blind in the other. Working as an accountant for the central railways, Sahu began practising for this day since 2018. Tired of his sedentary lifestyle, Sahu decided to pick up running. “We practised for this marathon since last August at 5 am, from Shivaji Park to NCPA and back. I took the 3.40 am from Nallasopara every Sunday. Guide runners from HEED India helped us with our core exercises, diet, and practice,” Sahu told mid-day. Sahu had discussed all the possible speed bumps with his guide, Manish Jain. From waiting at hydration points, making turns, and managing in dingy spots. “I was so engaged in the conversation with Manish that I didn’t realise how the time went by. Just before the run commenced, he shut off the timer and asked me to focus on enjoying myself and making my first 42K a positive memory,” he told mid-day. Sahu dedicates his run to all the first-timers who may be hesitant to make the leap. Long journey Rupesh Thakur, who has zero per cent vision, completed his first-ever marathon, walking the entire stretch of 1.6 km marked for the differently-abled with the help of his assistant Om Dubey. The participant travelled from Vasai to take part in the event, turning his personal challenge into a powerful message of inclusion and resilience. “For me, the walk was not about timing or competition, but about pushing boundaries and proving that physical limitations need not define one’s aspirations. Om is acting as a guide throughout the journey, and with his help, I navigated the route step by step, relying on verbal cues, steady support and mutual trust to complete the distance safely,” said Thakur. Speaking after completing the walk, the visually impaired participant said the marathon had been a long-cherished dream. “I wanted to test myself and show that with the right support, nothing is impossible,” he said, as his wife and daughter also walked the path alongside him to extend their support in his first attempt. His assistant, who walked beside him for the entire course, said guiding him was both a responsibility and a privilege. “It was about trust. Every step had to be communicated clearly. Finishing together made it all worthwhile,” said Om. Organisers said the participation of differently-abled individuals underlined the marathon’s inclusive spirit. “Events like these are not just about fitness, but about giving everyone an equal platform,” said one of the members from the organising committee. As the man crossed the finish line, his achievement stood as a reminder that courage and determination can help overcome even the toughest of challenges. No med emergencies Over 2400 medical cases were recorded, with most being minor and exercise-related, including muscle cramps, fatigue, and dehydration. These were effectively managed on site by trained teams. Data showed Bombay Hospital treated 10 runners, with one ICU admission. Jaslok, PD Hinduja, and Lilavati Hospitals managed runners with dehydration or cramps. Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital treated two runners with severe dehydration.
19 January,2026 08:19 AM IST | Mumbai | Aditi Alurkar | Ritika GondhalekarMumbai University (MU) on Saturday, January 17, awarded degrees to postgraduates from the first batch under the New Education Policy (NEP) at its convocation ceremony held at the Sir Cowasji Jehangir Convocation Hall on the varsity’s Fort campus. Degrees were conferred on a total of 1,72,522 students, including 1,49,982 undergraduates and 22,540 postgraduates. The university also recorded an around 50 per cent rise in PhD graduates compared to the previous academic year, the highest in the last nine years. Of the 603 PhD degrees awarded, the highest number went to students from science and technology, followed by commerce, humanities, and interdisciplinary studies. Last year, the university awarded 401 PhD degrees, including 230 in sciences, 80 in commerce and management, 51 in humanities, and 40 in interdisciplinary studies, showing a significant rise, particularly in commerce and the humanities. Like every year, MU awarded 23 medals to 21 meritorious students at the ceremony. Female students outnumbered males across both undergraduate and postgraduate courses, with 88,202 women receiving degrees compared to 84,318 men. Degrees go digital As part of its push to digitise academic records, MU has uploaded 29,78,099 records on the NAD-DigiLocker platform. Of these, 4,15,787 marksheets are from academic years 2023-2025, while the remaining belong to earlier batches.
19 January,2026 08:09 AM IST | Mumbai | Aditi AlurkarThe two Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) factions came together in an attempt to reclaim their former strongholds of Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, which the undivided party had controlled for several terms before losing power in 2017. However, those hopes were dashed on Friday as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won both municipal corporations with clear majorities, bettering its performance compared to the last election. Loss in Pimpri-Chinchwad Despite making emotional appeals asking citizens to vote for NCP candidates, and promising to personally monitor development by visiting the city every eight days, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar failed to gain control of the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) for the second consecutive civic election in what was once considered his political stronghold. The NCP managed to gain only one additional seat compared to the previous election, settling at 37 seats. The latest PCMC election became a direct contest between the BJP and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP faction. Ironically, this battle unfolded while Pawar remained part of the BJP-led state government. Internal erosion within the NCP further weakened his position, with three former mayors, two former deputy mayors, and 15 former corporators quitting the party ahead of the polls. Loss in Pune For nearly two decades, the NCP dominated the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). That dominance unravelled rapidly after the party split in 2023, when Ajit Pawar joined the BJP-led government. The division created confusion among cadres and voters, with both factions claiming the same legacy. Frequent alliance shifts further damaged credibility. A party that once positioned itself as an alternative to the BJP was now sharing power with it, while simultaneously levelling allegations during civic campaigns. Candidate selection controversies, denial of tickets to loyal workers, and the emergence of rebels eroded traditional vote banks ward by ward. Anti-incumbency also played a role. Citizens expressed dissatisfaction over delayed infrastructure projects, corruption allegations, and governance during the prolonged administrator’s rule. The BJP, meanwhile, ran a disciplined, centralised, and resource-backed campaign, capitalising on the NCP’s internal disarray. What verdict means Residents across Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad reveal a clear pattern: voters are increasingly disinterested in personal rivalries, allegations, and high-pitched political drama. What they seek is vision, consistency, and action-oriented governance. What analysts have to say about verdict Abhay Deshpande, political analyst ‘Credibility is a defining factor. Being in power with the BJP for five years and then suddenly raising allegations confuses voters. Such contradictions break trust. Also, the visible involvement of leaders like Supriya Sule during alliance campaigns raised doubts about internal clarity. Municipal elections are won through micro-level worker networks. The BJP has built an unbreakable grassroots chain. Rebuilding such a structure will be a long and difficult task for the NCP’ Dr Parimal Sudhakar, associate professor, MIT School of Government, Pune ‘Voters have rejected the alliance between the two NCPs as opportunistic. The message to Ajit Pawar is clear: ‘You cannot explore opposition space while being in power. You cannot have the cake and eat it too.’ The message to NCP (SP) is also not to hobnob with the ruling alliance. The question is whether the two NCPs will read these signals clearly’
19 January,2026 08:09 AM IST | Mumbai | Archana DahiwalADVERTISEMENT
