Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has firmly dismissed speculation about a move to national politics, declaring that he will continue serving in his current state role until 2029. Speaking at a press interaction in Mumbai, Fadnavis reaffirmed his commitment to Maharashtra’s development agenda, clarifying that his political focus remains entirely within the state. The clarification came after growing speculation that he might take on a national role within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), particularly in the lead-up to the 2026 Maharashtra Assembly elections and the 2029 general elections. He emphasized that the ongoing development initiatives under the BJP-led government — particularly in infrastructure, water conservation, and urban modernization — are his top priorities, and he intends to see them through to completion. Fadnavis, who previously served as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra from 2014 to 2019, remains one of the most influential leaders in the state’s BJP unit. Since returning to power in 2022 as Deputy CM in the Eknath Shinde-led government, he has played a key role in stabilizing the coalition between the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) and the BJP following the political turmoil triggered by Uddhav Thackeray’s ouster. His statement also subtly signals an attempt to quell internal speculation within the party ranks, as discussions had been circulating about his possible shift to the Union Cabinet in New Delhi. By committing to Maharashtra until 2029, Fadnavis underscored his intent to lead the state BJP through two key electoral cycles and maintain continuity in governance. #DevendraFadnavis #MaharashtraPolitics #BJP #EknathShindeGovernment #MVA #StateLeadership #2029Elections
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) staged a “Black Diwali” protest across Maharashtra on October 17, 2025, demanding immediate relief and compensation for farmers affected by unseasonal rains and crop destruction. Led by senior NCP leaders Jayant Patil, Supriya Sule, and Praful Patel, party workers wore black clothes and carried black flags to symbolize their discontent. Demonstrations were held in several districts, including Nagpur, Amravati, Akola, and Nashik, where protesters criticized the state government for its delayed response to the agrarian crisis. The protest comes after heavy rains earlier in October damaged large tracts of soybean, cotton, and paddy crops in Vidarbha and Marathwada regions. Farmers have reported severe financial distress, claiming that insurance claims and government compensation have been slow and inadequate. NCP leaders accused the ruling Maharashtra government of neglecting farmers’ welfare, asserting that the festive season feels “dark” for those struggling to recover their livelihoods. Political analysts say the “Black Diwali” protest signals the NCP’s attempt to reassert its agrarian focus ahead of upcoming local elections. Agricultural unions such as the Sheti Parishad and Vidarbha Kisan Sangharsh Samiti have supported the movement, urging the government to announce a comprehensive relief package and expedite crop loss assessments. Experts warn that continued inaction could deepen rural distress and fuel further political unrest in the state. #NCPProtest #BlackDiwali #FarmersRelief #JayantPatil #SupriyaSule #MaharashtraPolitics #AgrarianCrisis #VidarbhaFarmers #CropDamage
Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule has described the recent meeting between Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and MNS president Raj Thackeray as a "family affair," emphasizing that it holds no political significance. He noted that such gatherings are customary during festivals like Diwali and urged the public and media not to read political motives into the interaction. Bawankule contrasted the leadership styles of Uddhav Thackeray and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, describing Fadnavis as "decisive, visionary, and people-centric," while characterizing Thackeray's tenure as Chief Minister as less effective. He highlighted the BJP's focus on long-term strategic planning under Vision 2035 and 2047, prioritizing implementation over announcements. Despite this, the meeting, the sixth in three months between Uddhav and Raj Thackeray, has sparked speculation about a potential political alliance ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections. BJP leaders, including Bawankule, have dismissed these developments as personal interactions, aiming to shift focus away from political implications. #ChandrashekharBawankule #UddhavThackeray #RajThackeray #FamilyAffair #MaharashtraPolitics #DiwaliGathering #PoliticalSpeculation #BJPLeadership
On October 11, 2025, thousands of members of the Other Backward Classes (OBC) staged a large-scale protest in Nagpur, demanding the repeal of the Maratha Government Resolution (GR) that grants reservations to the Maratha community. Organized by local OBC leaders including Ramesh Patil and Sunita Chavan, the rally featured marches, public speeches, and sit-ins, highlighting grievances over perceived inequities in caste-based reservation policies. Participants argued that the Maratha GR undermines opportunities for other backward classes, affecting education and employment access across the state. This protest follows a series of similar demonstrations in 2018 and 2023, when OBC groups in Maharashtra and neighbouring states mobilized against perceived preferential treatment of other communities. The movement in Nagpur has drawn comparisons to these past rallies, both in scale and intensity, reflecting long-standing regional tensions over reservation policies. Local authorities, including Nagpur Police Commissioner Amit Deshmukh, deployed additional personnel to maintain order and ensure the protest remained peaceful. The rally comes amid ongoing debates in the Maharashtra state assembly, where lawmakers from various parties, including Shiv Sena, BJP, and NCP, have voiced divergent opinions on the GR. Observers note that public pressure from such large-scale mobilizations could influence legislative reconsideration, potentially impacting future reservation policies and political alignments in the region. The Nagpur protest underscores continuing societal debates over caste equity, representation, and government policy in Maharashtra. #NagpurProtest #OBCRally #MarathaGR #ReservationDebate #RameshPatil #SunitaChavan #MaharashtraPolitics #SocialEquity #CastePolicy #NagpurNews
Nagpur is gearing up for a large protest on October 10, 2025, as members of the Other Backward Classes (OBC) community plan a massive rally opposing the state government’s move to extend reservation benefits to the Maratha community. Organized by several OBC unions and student groups, the march will begin from Variety Square and move toward the district collector’s office, demanding the protection of existing OBC quota rights. Police have already put tight security measures in place and advised commuters to avoid certain central routes. This isn’t the first time Nagpur has seen such agitation. Earlier this year, similar demonstrations erupted in Akola and Amravati, where OBC organizations staged sit-ins against what they termed an “unfair dilution” of their reservation share. In 2018, Maharashtra witnessed a massive Maratha reservation movement that also led to counter-protests by OBC and SC/ST communities, reflecting long-standing caste tensions over limited educational and employment opportunities. The upcoming march symbolizes a deepening divide among communities seeking social justice and political recognition. As with past protests, authorities expect high turnout, with appeals being made for a peaceful and organized demonstration. Many participants say this movement is not against the Maratha community itself, but against what they perceive as policy imbalance that threatens decades of OBC progress. #OBCProtest #MarathaQuota #NagpurMarch #ReservationRights #MaharashtraPolitics #SocialJustice #CommunityProtest #NagpurNews #OBCMovement #CasteBasedReservation
On October 9, 2025, leaders of the OBC (Other Backward Classes) community in Nagpur announced plans to stage a protest against the state government’s decision to grant reservation benefits to the Maratha community. The demonstration, set to take place near central administrative offices, aims to highlight concerns that the Maratha quota could reduce educational and job opportunities for OBC students and job seekers. Authorities in Nagpur are preparing traffic diversions and security arrangements in anticipation of large crowds. This protest is part of a recurring pattern of caste-based agitations in Maharashtra. In 2018, massive Maratha rallies across the state demanded reservation in jobs and education, leading to temporary roadblocks, shutdowns, and political debates. Similarly, in 2019, OBC and SC/ST groups organized demonstrations in several cities, claiming their own quota rights were being overshadowed by new benefits for other communities. These recurring clashes underscore the sensitive nature of reservation policies in the state, where social justice, historical disadvantage, and political considerations often collide. The Nagpur protest is expected to draw participation from multiple OBC organizations and student groups, continuing a legacy of community mobilization around quota issues. Earlier incidents, such as the 2018 Maratha bandh and 2019 OBC protests, saw large gatherings, police deployments, and negotiations with authorities, setting a precedent for how city administrations respond to such mobilizations. The demonstration in Nagpur will likely follow similar patterns, emphasizing the ongoing contestation over reservation policies in Maharashtra. #OBCProtest #MarathaQuota #NagpurNews #ReservationDebate #MaharashtraPolitics #CommunityMobilization #EducationOpportunities #SocialJustice #CasteAgitations #IndianNews
Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde recently criticized the alliance between the MNS (Maharashtra Navnirman Sena) and UBT (United By Thackeray), calling it more about family dominance than genuine political strategy for the state. He described the coalition as “family politics,” suggesting that personal and familial interests are taking precedence over initiatives aimed at welfare and development in Maharashtra. Political observers note that such statements highlight internal party debates and differing perspectives on alliances in Maharashtra’s dynamic political landscape. Shinde’s critique may influence public perception, especially among voters looking for policy-driven leadership rather than alliances built on personal influence. Analysts say this underscores the challenges regional parties face in balancing leadership ambitions with public service goals. #ShrikantShinde #ShivSena #MNS #UBT #MaharashtraPolitics #FamilyPolitics #PoliticalCritique #StateElections #AllianceDebate #IndianPolitics
The BJP has launched the Atmanirbhar Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan in Maharashtra, a three-month-long campaign that will run from September 25 to December 25, 2025. The initiative was inaugurated by Maharashtra BJP president Ravindra Chavan and is timed to begin on the birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay and conclude on the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The campaign focuses on spreading the message of self-reliance and empowering citizens to adopt local products and solutions in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a self-reliant India. As part of the Abhiyan, BJP workers will engage in grassroots outreach, organize awareness drives, and conduct programs to promote “Vocal for Local” and economic self-sufficiency across Maharashtra. The initiative aims to not only strengthen the idea of Atmanirbhar Bharat but also to connect people with policies and opportunities that support entrepreneurship, skill development, and local economic growth. #news #Newsone #AtmanirbharBharat #BJP #MaharashtraPolitics #SelfReliantIndia #EconomicGrowth #PoliticalCampaign #VocalForLocal #IndiaNews @bjp
