Hitting back at Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar for his criticism of the BJP, party leader and state minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Tuesday said Pawar should refrain from attacking the saffron party and not force it to open “pages from the past”, reported news agency PTI. Mahayuti coordination committee decision recalled Addressing a press conference in Pune, Bawankule reminded Pawar of the mutual decision taken in the Mahayuti coordination committee ahead of the civic polls that even if alliance partners contest elections separately, they would not criticise each other during campaigning. ‘Fadnavis is following the rule,’ says Bawankule "I expected that Pawar would abide by that mutual understanding. On the other hand, if you see, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is following that rule as he is not criticising Pawar's party (NCP) or Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena," he said, reported PTI. ‘No one wants to go back to the past’ "I just want to say that there are pages from the past and no one wants to go back to them. Ajit dada is one of the three key leaders in Mahayuti and I hope he will not criticise the BJP or other alliance partners," Bawankule stated, reported PTI. BJP leader advises Pawar against targeting local leadership Asked about Pawar targeting the BJP’s leadership in Pune over development issues, Bawankule said the NCP president is a politician of high stature and should not stoop to criticise lower-level leadership of a party. Irrigation scam case still pending, says Bawankule On Pawar’s remarks that he is sitting in the Mahayuti with those who once levelled allegations against him in the Rs 70,000-crore irrigation scam, Bawankule noted that the case is still pending before the court. "Once the verdict comes, the truth will come out," he insisted, reported PTI. BJP defends past allegations as opposition party The minister said that when the BJP was in the Opposition, it had raised allegations based on the evidence available at the time. Mundhwa land deal not a poll issue, says minister Asked whether the BJP would make the Mundhwa land deal in Pune an election issue, Bawankule said the government-appointed inquiry committee is in the final stages of preparing its report and it would not be appropriate to turn the matter into an election issue. (With inputs from PTI)
07 January,2026 08:22 AM IST | Pune | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party chief Ajit Pawar has alleged large-scale corruption in civic works ahead of the upcoming civic polls. While Pawar did not name any party or leader, his attack comes weeks after the NCP announced it would contest the civic elections separately from its Mahayuti partner, the Bharatiya Janata Party, reported news agency ANI. ‘Pimpri Chinchwad is my karmabhoomi,’ says Pawar Addressing the public gathering, Pawar highlighted his long association with the city and asserted that his political work has always been centred on the welfare of common people. "While thinking continuously about the welfare of ordinary people, we have reached where we are today, and we must continue to work further for their well-being… Even though Baramati is my birthplace, Pimpri Chinchwad is my karmabhoomi," Pawar said, adding that he would never forget the city and would use his power only for public welfare, reported ANI. Allegations of tender rigging and intimidation in civic works The NCP chief further alleged irregularities in the tendering process and accused those in power of intimidation and financial mismanagement. "These days, the tenders issued here are being rigged. There is dadagiri being done, which causes huge losses… I have all the details of how far down they have gone in corruption," Pawar said, citing alleged irregularities even in stray dog sterilisation projects, reported ANI. Pawar flags corruption in PM Awas Yojana and Smart City projects Pawar also alleged corruption in major government schemes and urban development initiatives. "There has been corruption even in projects like the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and the Smart City initiative… TVs were to be installed at a cost of Rs 55,000, but bills were raised for Rs 1.5 lakh," he alleged, reported ANI. ‘Municipal corporation pushed into debt,’ claims NCP chief Targeting the functioning of the municipal corporation, Pawar claimed corruption had weakened the civic body financially and tarnished its image. "All this was done to loot the Municipal Corporation, push it into debt, and defame it," he said, referring to a 2021 bribery case involving a standing committee chairman, reported ANI. Civic polls turn into corruption vs governance battle The remarks come amid an intense civic election campaign in the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation area, where corruption and governance have emerged as major political flashpoints. Voting for the elections will be held on January 15, while results are scheduled to be announced on January 16. (With inputs from ANI)
07 January,2026 08:08 AM IST | Pimpri Chinchwad | mid-day online correspondentA group of students at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) raised controversial slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah after the Supreme Court denied bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the 2020 riots conspiracy case. According to a purported video, the protest was held on Monday night inside the campus. Aditi Mishra, JNU Students’ Union president, said that every year, students hold a protest to condemn the violence which occurred on the campus on January 5, 2020. “All of the slogans raised in the protest were ideological and do not attack anyone personally,” Mishra said. University seeks FIR JNU has sought the registration of an FIR over the alleged raising of “provocative” slogans inside the university campus, varsity officials said. A letter by the administration to the Delhi Police states that certain students raised “highly objectionable, provocative and inflammatory” slogans and are in direct contempt of the SC. Ministers condemn Delhi ministers Ashish Sood and Manjinder Singh Sirsa condemned the incident and blamed the Opposition for supporting those who indulge in such acts. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
07 January,2026 06:50 AM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesThe draft electoral roll for Uttar Pradesh was published on Tuesday after a special intensive revision (SIR) exercise, with 12.55 crore voters retained out of 15.44 crore listed earlier, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Navdeep Rinwa said on Tuesday. The remaining 18.70 per cent, or about 2.89 crore voters, could not be included in the draft list due to permanent migration, multiple registrations, or deaths, he said while addressing a press conference here. Rinwa said the Election Commission had undertaken a door-to-door enumeration drive in which enumeration forms were to be filled out and signed by voters or their family members. While the exercise was originally scheduled to end on December 11, the state sought an additional 15 days after noticing that the names of a large number of voters, nearly 2.97 crore, were getting excluded from the draft list. Consequently, the enumeration phase was extended till December 26. According to the CEO, out of 15,44,30,092 voters in the October 27, 2025 electoral roll, enumeration forms were received for 12,55,56,025 voters, accounting for 81.30 per cent of the electorate. Giving details about the removal of 2.89 crore names from the draft list, Rinwa said 46.23 lakh voters (2.99 per cent) were found to be deceased, while 2.57 crore voters (14.06 per cent) had either permanently migrated or were not available during the verification process. Another 25.47 lakh voters (1.65 per cent) were found to be registered at more than one place. “The draft electoral roll now contains 12.55 crore voters and covers all 75 districts and 403 assembly constituencies of the state,” said Rinwa. The exercise involved 1,72,486 booths, with booth-level officers working alongside volunteers to reach voters. The CEO said a one-month claims and objections period would begin on January 6 and continue till February 6, during which voters can seek inclusion, correction or raise objections to the draft roll. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
07 January,2026 06:47 AM IST | Lucknow | AgenciesMaharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday said that the BJP government transformed Nagpur into a modern city and plans to make it one of the best cities in the country in the times to come. Addressing a public rally ahead of the Maharashtra local body elections, CM Fadnavis said that the opposition parties neither have any policy nor strength to work like the BJP. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis asserted, "There is no need to speak about the kind of development that has taken place in Nagpur because it is before everyone to see. The development that has taken place in Nagpur under the leadership of Union minister Nitin Gadkari in the last 10 years is not limited to basic facilities, but it is moving ahead in industries, logistics, IT and start-ups," as per PTI. Citing a report by an international agency, Fadnavis also highlighted that Nagpur is in the first 5 cities of the country and will be the fastest developing one in the next decade. The Chief Minister also added, "We have made Nagpur a modern city and, with the blessings of people, will make it one of the best cities in the country." Hailing Nagpur’s development under the rule of the BJP, he also asserted that Nagpur is being developed considering the requirements of the next 25 years. Fadnavis lists various development works in Nagpur He listed out various development works in Nagpur, including roads, water supply, metro rail, infrastructure, sports complexes, government health services, educational institutions, tourism, the Nagpur-Mumbai Samruddhi Motorway and logistics. Devendra Fadnavis, while addressing the public in the Borgaon area, further said that he along with Gadkari created one lakh jobs in the Multi Modal International Cargo Hub and Airport at Nagpur (MIHAN) and the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC). "The government has brought investment of Rs 2 lakh crore, which will create another one lakh jobs," CM Fadnavis added. Moreover, the BJP is asking for votes on account of development works done by it, he said. Slamming the opposition just ahead of the Maharashtra civic polls, the Chief Minister added that the opposition parties neither have any vision nor strength to work. (With inputs from PTI)
06 January,2026 10:55 PM IST | Nagpur | mid-day online correspondentWith just a few days to go for the Maharashtra local body elections, a Congress leader, Hidayat Patel, was allegedly attacked with sharp weapons in Akola district and has been critical. The PTI reported, Hidayat Patel was seriously injured as unidentified persons attacked him with sharp weapons soon after he offered namaz at a mosque in Akot taluka of the district, police said. The police while briefing about the incident stated that, Hidayat Patel (66) was attacked over an old enmity at Mohala this afternoon, as per PTI. Patel, who is also the former district Congress president, sustained injuries in the incident and is undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Akot, the police said. As per the police officials, the former Congress district president was at the Jama Masjid in Mohala for afternoon prayers. Around 1.30 pm, just as he was stepping out of the mosque after offering namaz, unidentified assailants attacked him on his neck with sharp weapons. Local residents rushed him to a nearby hospital, where he is undergoing treatment, PTI reported. Considering that the civic polls across the state are just around the corner, this incident has alerted the authorities. Furthermore, the Akot rural police are registering an offence, and teams have been dispatched to trace the attackers. AIMIM chief says, 'Mahayuti parties doing drama of separate contests in Latur' Ahead of the civic polls, the AIMIM chief in Latur alleged that the Mahayuti constituents are doing a ‘drama’ of contesting the Latur civic body polls independently. While speaking to the media on Tuesday, Owaisi said, "Leaders of BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP sit together in Mumbai, while a drama goes on here of separate contests," as per PTI. Owaisi further said that AIMIM candidates are receiving an excellent response from people, and they will win the upcoming polls to municipal corporations. He also highlighted that voters can accept money being distributed by political parties during elections and use it for constructing toilets if they feel it is an unethical practice. Addressing a rally for the upcoming Latur and Maharashtra civic polls, Owaisi attacked the Narendra Modi Government over its foreign policy and also criticised the Waqf (Amendment) Act. (With inputs from PTI)
06 January,2026 09:08 PM IST | Akola | mid-day online correspondentMultiple bomb threats were reported across India on Tuesday, triggering evacuations at Mau Railway Station and Mysuru District Court, while the police in Kannur, Kerala, seized 12 explosive devices, prompting nationwide security alerts. Bomb threat on Kashi Express turns out to be hoax At Mau Railway Station in Uttar Pradesh, panic erupted after authorities received a call claiming a bomb had been planted on the Kashi Express (15018 Down) en route from Gorakhpur to Mumbai. Senior police officers, including the superintendent of police (SP), quickly rushed to the scene, reported news agency PTI. A joint operation involving the local police, Government Railway Police (GRP), and Railway Protection Force (RPF) safely evacuated all passengers and conducted a thorough inspection of each coach. Bomb disposal squads inspected the train, while platform number one and nearby areas were cordoned off. Authorities later confirmed the threat appeared to be a hoax, and efforts were underway to trace the source of the call. The train resumed its journey only after completing all security checks. Bomb threat forces evacuation at Mysuru district court Meanwhile, in Mysuru, Karnataka, the district court received a bomb threat via email. Judicial officers, lawyers, litigants, and court staff were evacuated as a precaution, and court proceedings were temporarily suspended, reported PTI. A bomb disposal squad was deployed to conduct a detailed search of the premises. Police confirmed that the precautionary evacuation ensured the safety of all present. 12 explosive devices seized in North Kerala, police launch investigation Police in north Kerala on Wednesday seized a total of 12 country-made explosive devices from two separate locations, according to PTI. Eight crude explosives were recovered from a school ground at Thangal Peedika in Mokeri, under the jurisdiction of Panoor Police Station. The devices were found hidden beneath tarpaulin sheets, and a machete was also recovered at the site. In a separate incident, four steel explosive devices were discovered inside a bag on a deserted plot in Kannavam. Authorities across the country remain on high alert following these incidents, emphasising vigilance and swift action to ensure public safety. (With PTI inputs)
06 January,2026 08:47 PM IST |Hours after a series of bomb threats targeting courts and government offices across Gujarat, police and administrative authorities across the state have stepped up vigilance. The threats prompted heightened security measures, temporary suspension of court proceedings, and intensive searches by security agencies. In all the cases so far, authorities have reported no suspicious objects, terming the threats as hoaxes, even as investigations continue, news agency IANS reported. Earlier, the Ahmedabad City Civil and Sessions Court received a bomb threat, following which the proceedings were suspended as a precaution. The threat was received by the court’s registry department via email. Soon after the court received the bomb threat, teams from the bomb squad and dog squad rushed to the premises and conducted a thorough search before declaring the area safe. Around the same time, a bomb threat was reported at the Gandhinagar Collector’s Office, reported IANS. Police carried out complete security sweep Soon after the bomb threat, the Gandhinagar Police carried out a complete security sweep of the premises but found nothing suspicious. The police later stated that the threat appeared to be a hoax. Meanwhile, similar threats were also reported at courts in Rajkot and Surat. In Rajkot, lawyers were asked to vacate the court premises as a precaution, while bomb disposal and dog squad teams were deployed to inspect the area, IANS reported. Bomb threat at Surat district court In Surat, the district court received an anonymous phone call threatening a bomb blast. As soon as the court administration reported the bomb threat, all the court proceedings were suspended for the day, and entry of lawyers and petitioners was restricted while police teams conducted a detailed inspection of the court complex. Earlier on Tuesday, the Ahmedabad Rural Court also received a bomb threat via email sent to its registry department. Following standard security protocol, court proceedings were halted, and bomb and dog squad teams were deployed. However, no objectionable items were found during the search. This was not the first time that the Gujarat High Court received a bomb threat. Earlier, the court had received an email from an unidentified sender alerting about the bomb within the court premises. Police officers said that while all the threats so far have turned out to be hoaxes, each alert is being treated with utmost seriousness to ensure public safety. Cyber teams, along with the Gujarat Police and bomb squad, are investigating the source of the emails and calls to identify those responsible for creating panic and disrupting judicial and administrative functioning across the state. (With inputs from IANS)
06 January,2026 08:40 PM IST | Ahmedabad | mid-day online correspondentAIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday alleged that the Mahayuti constituents are doing a ‘drama’ of contesting the Latur civic body polls independently, news agency PTI reported. While speaking to the media on Tuesday, Owaisi said, "Leaders of BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP sit together in Mumbai, while a drama goes on here of separate contests." Owaisi further said that AIMIM candidates are receiving an excellent response from people, and they will win the upcoming polls to municipal corporations. He also highlighted that voters can accept money being distributed by political parties during elections and use it for constructing toilets if they feel it is an unethical practice. Addressing a rally for the upcoming Latur and Maharashtra civic polls, Owaisi attacked the Narendra Modi Government over its foreign policy and also criticised the Waqf (Amendment) Act. "Rival political parties started distributing cash among voters only after the AIMIM entered the fray. Had we not fielded candidates, money wouldn't have been distributed.... Take money, and if you feel it is unethical and 'haram' (illegitimate), use it to build toilets," said Owaisi. Owaisi asks Muslims to build strong political leadership Owaisi called upon Muslims to build strong political leadership, stating that every community has political power except minorities, PTI reported. He added that Dalits and Muslims form a large section of the poor population, yet development has not reached their areas. Slamming the ruling party ahead of the Maharashtra civic polls, he said, "The BJP speaks of nationalism, but farmers are dying, youths are unemployed, and all they talk about is love jihad." Owaisi further alleged that Prime Minister Modi and the BJP remain silent about US President Donald Trump, "who says in an aeroplane that Modi takes decisions to please me”. Owaisi questions ‘Ladki Bahin’ scheme The AIMIM chief claimed that the Maharashtra Government's 'Ladki Bahin' scheme has seen a steady reduction in beneficiaries, PTI reported. "The government had taken loans worth Rs 9.30 lakh crore. Who would repay the debt," he questioned. Owaisi also targeted Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, stating that if he didn't remain loyal to his uncle and political mentor, Sharad Pawar, how could he be loyal to the people? AIMIM chief speaks on Waqf (Amendment) Act On the Waqf (Amendment) Act, Owaisi alleged that the law is being misused to lock mosques and challenge ownership of centuries-old dargahs, PTI reported. The Hyderabad MP further said, "Under the amended Act, non-Muslims can become members of Muslim boards, but Muslims cannot be members of Hindu trust boards. What was Ajit Pawar doing when this bill was passed." Targeting the Congress, Owaisi stated that the party ruled Maharashtra and Latur city for several years, yet failed to provide basic amenities. (With inputs from PTI)
06 January,2026 08:39 PM IST | Latur | mid-day online correspondentCongress leader and former Maharashtra Chief Minister (CM) Prithviraj Chavan on Monday strongly criticised the United States (US) over its action in Venezuela, calling the capture of President Nicolas Maduro a “grave concern” and warning that such actions could set a dangerous precedent for other countries, including India, news agency ANI reported. Speaking to ANI, Chavan said the US action was a clear violation of the United Nations Charter. “Whatever has happened in Venezuela is against the UN Charter. An elected President has been kidnapped and taken to another country. You may not like the policies, but do you have the right to kidnap an elected President?” he asked. He said the issue would be debated at the UN Security Council and warned against allowing one nation to act as a global hegemon. “It’s a very grave concern that it could happen to any other country tomorrow. Tomorrow it can happen to India. If you allow one country to impose its will in international affairs, we are entering very dangerous territory,” Chavan said. The former Maharashtra CM also criticised India’s response, alleging that New Delhi had failed to take a clear stand on the issue. “India has not spoken as usual, not taken a stand on the Venezuela matter. What is right, what is morally correct—nothing,” he said, adding that Russia and China had openly criticised the US action. The Congress leader accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of prioritising personal diplomacy over moral clarity in foreign policy. “In India, Prime Minister Modi is more concerned about his own personal image than standing up for what is right and what is wrong. The same thing happened during the Ukraine war. We did not take any side. Both sides are correct, both sides are wrong. We did not take a stand even on the Israel-Hamas issue, despite a clear case of genocide in Gaza. We kept quiet because Netanyahu is PM Modi’s personal friend,” Chavan alleged. Questioning the allegations levelled against Maduro, Chavan said claims of drug trafficking must be supported by evidence. “If America has a point that President Maduro’s regime was exporting drugs, it is a serious charge. But we have seen this before in the case of Saddam Hussein, where false claims were used as an excuse to invade Iraq,” he said. 'Allegations by Donald Trump need to be proved' He added that allegations made by US President Donald Trump needed to be proven. “This claim about drug exports and Maduro being personally involved in drug smuggling is made by Trump. Whether it is true or not, we don’t know. Enough evidence has to be provided. But whatever the case, no one can justify kidnapping an elected leader of a sovereign country,” he said. Meanwhile, India on Sunday expressed deep concern over the developments in Venezuela. “Recent developments in Venezuela are a matter of deep concern. We are closely monitoring the evolving situation. India reaffirms its support to the well-being and safety of the people of Venezuela. We call upon all concerned to address issues peacefully through dialogue, ensuring peace and stability in the region,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a release. The MEA added that the Indian Embassy in Caracas is in contact with members of the Indian community and will continue to provide all possible assistance. The United States on Saturday carried out what it described as a “large-scale strike against Venezuela” and captured President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who were taken out of the country. Trump later said that Maduro and his wife had been indicted in the Southern District of New York on charges of “drug trafficking and narco-terrorism conspiracies” and would face trial. According to Trump, American forces, in coordination with law enforcement agencies, captured the Venezuelan President and his wife during a nighttime operation. (With ANI inputs)
06 January,2026 08:15 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentThe District Administration Office (DAO) of Parsa has extended the curfew in Birgunj City as religious tensions continue to rise over a TikTok video that sparked unrest, news agency ANI reported. The local administration had initially issued a prohibitory order on Monday afternoon in parts of the district, but both groups staged simultaneous protests, defying the order, prompting authorities to impose a curfew. “The curfew order issued yesterday, 2082.09.21 (2026.01.05) from 6:00 PM to 8:00 AM on 2082.09.22 (2026.01.06), in view of the latest security situation, has been continued in the following four forts within the Birgunj Metropolitan City area of Parsa district, as per Section 6 (a) of the Local Administration Act, 2028, from today, 2082.09.22 (2026.01.06), until 1:00 PM, prohibiting anyone from moving within those boundaries, holding any kind of gathering, procession, demonstration, meeting, or siege,” the latest order said. The DAO has identified Bus Park, Nagwa, Inarwa (East), Sirsia River (West), Gandak Chowk (North), and Shankaracharya Gate (South) as the four areas under curfew, ANI reported. “During the curfew, security personnel are allowed to shoot on sight, so it is requested that you do not step out of your home except for essential purposes. If you must go out, coordinate with the nearest security personnel or call 100,” the administration warned. Authorities also clarified that essential service vehicles, ambulances, fire engines, hearses, health workers’ vehicles, media personnel, tourist vehicles, vehicles of human rights and diplomatic missions, and air passengers with tickets will be allowed movement during the curfew. Mosque vandalised in Nepal, demonstrators stage rallies Tensions have escalated in Birgunj, near the Indian state of Bihar, since Sunday after a dispute between two groups over a TikTok video from Dhanusha’s Kamala Municipality. The video, uploaded by youths Haider Ansari and Amanat Ansari in Janakpur, allegedly hurt religious sentiments, prompting locals to hand the youths over to the police, ANI reported. The situation worsened after a mosque in ward 6 of Kamala Municipality was vandalised, triggering protests. Demonstrators staged rallies in and around Birgunj, burning tyres and shouting slogans since Sunday. What began as a local dispute in Dhanusha and Parsa escalated via social media, with both sides taking to the streets over issues affecting religious and communal sentiments. (With ANI inputs)
06 January,2026 07:43 PM IST | Nepal | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
