Politics

BMC Polls: Anil Parab alleges ink tampering after voting

Speaking to ANI, Parab said he had never witnessed such an issue in previous elections. "This is for the first time; I have never seen the ink vanishing this way. This is a marker. The ink of the election is different, and this marker is different, which can be wiped off. There is definitely some tampering," the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader alleged.

2026-01-15T14:37:49.712239+00:00 IST

Preserve cultural heritage for future generations: Rajasthan CM

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma said on Thursday that Rajasthan has been a carrier of knowledge, art, and culture for centuries. Our government is fully committed not only to the development of the state but also to the preservation and promotion of its literature and cultural heritage. He appealed to the public to make literature an integral part of their lives.

2026-01-15T14:29:23.291652+00:00 IST

Priyank Kharge hits back at BJP over Aadhaar allegations

Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge on Thursday hit back at allegations that Aadhaar cards are being issued to Bangladeshis in exchange for Rs 1,500, questioning how they are entering the country in the first place, pointing to the central government's responsibility for border security, a portfolio held by Amit Shah.

2026-01-15T14:12:22.034680+00:00 IST

Postal ballot boxes to be opened only on counting day: BMC

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Thursday clarified that postal ballot boxes will be taken out of the strong room only on the day of counting, January 16, 2026, alongside Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), following allegations by former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray.

2026-01-15T14:05:20.594839+00:00 IST

AIADMK's Palaniswami questions stability of Congress

AIADMK General Secretary and Leader of the Opposition Edappadi K. Palaniswami raised questions about the stability of the Congress party within the DMK-led alliance, citing growing speculation that the Congress may exit the alliance.

2026-01-15T12:56:48.608100+00:00 IST

"Shameless govt...That's why they want ONOE": Uddhav Thackeray

Former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday raised concerns about the Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Elections 2026, citing issues with voter lists, removable ink, and old EVM machines.

2026-01-15T12:20:17.545803+00:00 IST

"Should we learn culture from BJP?": Priyank Kharge

Speaking to ANI, he said the Leader of the Opposition in the Upper House called him a dog in Chittapur and asked whether they should learn culture from them.

2026-01-15T11:56:58.632132+00:00 IST

"Indelible ink used in Maharashtra civic polls same as ECI"

Clarifying the difference in its application, the State Election Commissioner explained that the only variation was the use of the ink in marker form. "The only difference which is seen here is it is being used in the form of a marker. But I also want to say that this marker form of indelible ink has been in use since 2011," Waghmare added, dismissing allegations suggesting manipulation.

2026-01-15T11:43:48.131008+00:00 IST

Karnataka govt to challenge scrapping of MGNREGA, says Priyank Kh

Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge on Thursday said that the state government would challenge the scrapping of the MGNREGA scheme constitutionally and legally, and would also take the issue to the people's court.

2026-01-15T11:28:17.178705+00:00 IST

Arvind Sawant hails Thackeray brothers alliance in BMC elections

As Mumbai goes to the polls for the high-stakes Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant on Thursday spoke on the alliance of the Thackarey brothers in this election, hailing it as a "stroke of luck".

2026-01-15T10:57:02.694625+00:00 IST

Maharashtra civic polls records 29.22% voting till 1:30 pm

Voting in Maharashtra's municipal corporation elections recorded a moderate turnout of 29.22 per cent across all 29 municipal corporations till 1:30 pm, according to reports from Maharashtra State Election Commission.

2026-01-15T10:54:00.226951+00:00 IST

Swati Maliwal slams Mann over alleged remarks on Sri Akal Takht

Through an official X post, she said, "Millions of rupees stashed away in Australia, and yet he goes to gurdwaras, temples, government meetings, and Parliament after drinking alcohol. A man who gives places in his government to thieves and thugs is now making vile statements and accusations on the sacred Sri Akal Takht. This is the darkest Kali Yuga. The height of shamelessness!"

2026-01-15T09:43:28.452654+00:00 IST

"Vijay should understand...": Elangovan on Karur stampede

"Vijay should understand that these deaths, this accident, had happened only because of Vijay's delayed presence in the meeting. He had made people wait for about nine hours from 9 am to 07:30 pm. So people without food or water, in the scorching sun, had fainted," he said.

2026-01-15T09:31:18.401920+00:00 IST

Karnataka: Don't sacrifice state in internal conflicts, BJP MP

"May God grant wisdom to the current government so it can serve the people effectively. I also urge the government not to sacrifce state because of internal conflicts," he stated.

2026-01-15T09:31:00.418307+00:00 IST

"Free, fair polling being ensured": Eknath Shinde

"I have spoken with the Election Commission. They informed me that this ink has been in use for many years. The Election Commission has also taken full precautions to ensure that no fraudulent voting takes place," Shinde told the media after casting his vote in Thane.

2026-01-15T09:13:16.945165+00:00 IST

CM Bhagwant Mann claims 'Golak' statement video to be 'fake'

Speaking to the media, he said, "I presented my side before Sri Akal Takht Sahib against any complaints they got against me. I have presented written evidence before Akal Takht Sahib. Also clarified that the narratives circulating on social media alleging that Bhagwant Mann is challenging Sri Akal Takht Sahib are false. I have no standing before Akal Takht Sahib to do such a thing. Singh sahib's decision will be communicated to me. Singh sahib's decision will be respected...I told him the video was fake and it can be examined at any forensic laboratory..."

2026-01-15T09:07:11.383751+00:00 IST

"Has EC hired a sanitiser agency?" Uddhav Thackeray amid indelible ink controversy

Thackeray alleged that the indelible ink which is put on the fingers of electors after voting is being easily removed through the use of nail polish remover and sanitizers, allowing certain people the chance to seemingly vote more than once. He said that such a situation is proof od 'collusion' between the ruling Mahayuti and the State Election Commission (SEC).

2026-01-15T08:52:52.221246+00:00 IST

Gaurav Gogoi questions Assam govt on Zubeen Garg death case

Speaking to ANI, Gogoi said, "Whom should we trust? The Assam Chief Minister said that Zubeen Garg was murdered, and through his SIT team, five people were arrested. In the chargesheet, conspiracy charges were framed against five to six people, alleging that they conspired to murder Zubeen Garg and carried out the killing."

2026-01-15T08:32:28.525439+00:00 IST

CM Bhagwant Mann appears before Akal Takht Sahib Secretariat over

According to the PRO of 'Shri Akal Takht Sahib', the Jathedars presented a copy of the monthly Gurdwara Gazette magazine related to the Sikh code of conduct and letters of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee to the Chief Minister during his appearance before Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj and Jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib Giani Tek Singh at the Secretariat.

2026-01-15T08:09:01.856564+00:00 IST

Real estate businessman Abhishek Lodha urges citizens to vote

As polling begins across 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra, real estate businessman Abhishek Lodha, son of Maharashtra Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha, cast his vote and urged citizens to participate actively, saying the civic polls have a direct impact on daily life.

2026-01-15T07:42:43.568967+00:00 IST

Asaduddin Owaisi flags pattern in communal incidents in Hyderabad

Speaking to ANI here, Owaisi said, "If you see this pattern of these forces who belong to the Sangh Parivar, who are trying to create a communal disturbance in Hyderabad, a majority of the incidents are happening at night, and it is happening on an issue which has no relevance at all. They are trying to create a communal controversy."

2026-01-15T07:42:34.223142+00:00 IST