Nagpur

Fuel panic is sweeping across Indian cities as long queues form at petrol pumps from Hyderabad, Nagpur, Prayagraj to Lucknow, triggered by social media rumours and actual shortages.

On this India Today special report, the focus is on the key takeaways from the Republic Day celebrations. Lieutenant General Sanjay Kulkarni highlights the symbolic return of the historic presidential buggy and the improved security situation, stating, 'The country would, after seeing such a fantastic Republic Day, know their aspirations, their desire, their feeling that yes, we are strong and we will be stronger again the next year.' Air Marshal Sanjeev Kapoor discusses the strategic shift in India's global position, noting the unprecedented visibility during the fly-past and the growing interest from European nations in defense collaboration. He emphasizes that the presence of European heads of state and the potential for local manufacturing of platforms like the Rafale represent a 'game changer' for India's aerospace industry and MSMEs. The discussion underscores India's transition from a buyer to a peer-to-peer collaborator on the global stage, reflecting a new era of diplomatic and military strength.

On this Special Report, the focus is on Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s recent visit to Nagpur, where he issued a stern warning regarding national security and self-reliance. During the inauguration of a medium-caliber ammunition facility, Singh remarked, 'Our neighbour is a bit crazy and it's impossible to predict what it might do.' Without naming Pakistan directly, the Minister highlighted the necessity of indigenous weapon production to counter unpredictable threats. He cited the successful use of the Nagashtra drone by the Solar Group during Operation Sindhur as a testament to India's growing military capabilities. The programme discusses India's shift towards becoming a global defence exporter, noting the supply of Pinaka rockets to Armenia. Singh emphasised that India must remain prepared at all times, as the timing of future conflicts remains uncertain. The report underscores the government's commitment to 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' in the defence sector to ensure the nation is equipped with dangerous weapons for its enemies whenever the need arises.

This special report highlights the political ascent of Devendra Fadnavis following the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance's historic victory in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. The win marks a significant shift in Maharashtra politics as the alliance 'dethroned the Thakurs from the BMC, Asia's richest municipality'. The report traces Fadnavis' journey from being the youngest councillor at 22 and Nagpur’s youngest mayor to becoming the state's Chief Minister. It details his resilience through the political upheavals of 2019 and 2022, including his stint as Deputy Chief Minister under Eknath Shinde. After a setback in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Fadnavis led the BJP to its best-ever performance in the assembly elections, culminating in his restoration as Chief Minister and this latest municipal triumph.

On this Special Report, the focus is on the landmark victory of the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance in the Maharashtra civic elections. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has emerged as the 'man of the moment' after the alliance captured majorities in key strongholds including Thane, Pune, Nagpur, and Nashik. Most significantly, the alliance has ended the 30-year dominance of the Thackeray family over the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Asia's richest municipality. Fadnavis stated, 'He promised, he delivered,' as the report traces his journey from Nagpur's youngest mayor to the architect of this saffron surge. The programme features exclusive interviews with Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who emphasized that 'people have accepted development' and 'rejected emotional issues.' Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora and Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar also weigh in on how the results settle the debate over the 'real' Shiv Sena and signal a shift toward aspirational, infrastructure-led politics in India's commercial capital.

In this episode of Newstrack, the focus is on the landmark victory of the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance in the Maharashtra civic elections.

On this Special Report, Rajdeep Sardesai leads a panel discussion on the shifting political landscape of Maharashtra following recent municipal and local election results. The discussion features Sahil Joshi, Yashwant Deshmukh, and Girish Kuber, who analyze the emergence of Devendra Fadnavis as the state's dominant leader. Sardesai notes, 'Is Hindutva plus Vikas now the winning formula?' as the panel explores how the BJP has successfully combined infrastructure development with ideological posturing. The experts highlight the decline of traditional allies like Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, suggesting they have 'taken a hit' while the BJP consolidates power. The program also examines the Congress party's struggle to maintain its relevance against the BJP's strategic targeting of local leaders. Furthermore, the panel discusses the 'normalization' of Hindutva politics in a state historically known for the progressive values of Phule, Shahu, and Ambedkar, concluding that Maharashtra is increasingly moving toward a right-wing political duopoly.

The Mahayuti alliance, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has secured a majority in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and other Maharashtra local body elections.

The Mahayuti alliance, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has secured a majority in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and other Maharashtra local body elections. This result enables the BJP to appoint its first Mayor in the Mumbai civic body. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis addressed supporters at the BJP headquarters, attributing the win to the policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The election results indicate a shift in political control across Mumbai, Pune, and Nashik, affecting the influence of the Thackeray and Pawar families. The report includes ground coverage of celebrations and statements from political figures, including Amruta Fadnavis. Analysis focuses on the performance of Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS, the 'triple engine government' structure, and voter trends among youth and women. Furthermore, the programme covers a Supreme Court notice issued to Karishma Kapoor concerning a family dispute and new Election Commission directives for Zilla Parishad polls. The administration intends to focus on infrastructure and basic facilities for citizens.

On this Special Report, the focus is on the political ascent and impact of Devendra Fadnavis following the BJP's performance in Maharashtra. The transcript highlights his journey from a councillor in Nagpur to becoming a three-term Chief Minister, noting his resilience and strategic comebacks. A significant point of discussion is the 'Mumbai model' of development, with specific reference to mega-infrastructure projects like the Coastal Road and the expanding Metro rail network. The speaker notes that 'the entire mandate seems to be for a better city that Mumbaikars really want', attributing the party's consolidation in the state to Fadnavis's leadership. The programme also features visuals of Fadnavis arriving at the BJP office alongside colleagues Ashish Shelar and Pankaja Munde, as supporters celebrate the election results. The discussion explores how the ease of travel and urban transformation in Mumbai served as a key narrative during the campaigning phase, ultimately resonating with the electorate.

This special report covers the landmark victory of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alliance in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. The speaker highlights how the alliance, led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde, secured 117 seats, effectively ending the long-standing dominance of the Thackeray family over Asia's richest municipality. The report notes that 'Devendra Fadnavis has made history by winning the BMC and dethroning the Thakuris', marking a significant shift in Maharashtra's political landscape. The bulletin further traces Fadnavis's journey from being Nagpur's youngest mayor to becoming the state's Chief Minister, emphasizing his role as the 'man of the moment' and a 'force multiplier' alongside the Ladki Behen scheme. The segment also touches upon the decimation of the Pawar bastion in Pune and the poor performance of the Congress party, which managed only 15 seats in the 227-member BMC house.

On this India Today special report, the focus is on the Maharashtra local election results where the BJP has secured a significant victory. BJP spokesperson Shweta Shalini addresses the controversy surrounding candidate Shalan Shinde, who won from jail in Solapur, stating, 'In election, what you have to prioritize always is winnability and that's what BJP has been doing.' The discussion also covers the victory of independent candidate Shrikant Phangarkar in Jalna and the performance of the Mahayuti alliance. Shweta Shalini highlights the infrastructure development in the state, including the coastal road and metro projects in Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur, as the primary reason for the mandate. Meanwhile, NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) leader Brij Mohan Srivastava acknowledges the alliance's performance while noting the disconnect with the Sharad Pawar faction. The programme explores the political implications of this 'saffron sweep' and the impact of election management versus candidate background in Maharashtra politics.

On this India Today special report, Consulting Editor Rajdeep Sardesai analyses the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) massive sweep across Maharashtra's municipal corporations. Sardesai highlights that the BJP is poised to secure its first mayor in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), marking a 'tectonic shift' in the state's political landscape. He notes that the saffron flag is now dominant in regions like Pune, Nagpur, and Thane, traditionally held by the Congress or Shiv Sena. Sardesai observes, 'The shadow of the Thackerays, the brand of the Thackeray is not that strong, that potent anymore,' pointing to a dilution of regional tropes. The discussion further explores the decline of the 'Pawar brand' and the failure of the Congress to hold its core vote bank. Sardesai concludes that the BJP has evolved into a pan-Maharashtra party, mirroring the hegemony once held by the Congress, while regional satraps and family-led politics face significant challenges across the state's districts.

On this India Today special report, political strategist Amitabh Tiwari analyzes the emerging trends in the Maharashtra municipal elections. As leads suggest a 'saffron sweep' across 29 municipalities, Tiwari highlights the leadership of Devendra Fadnavis, noting that he 'represents a vision for the creation of a new Maharashtra which is led by infrastructure.' The discussion covers the BJP-led alliance's dominance in major urban centres including Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, and Sambhaji Nagar. Tiwari observes that the opposition's failure stems from incorrect 'arithmetic and chemistry' compared to the BJP's decade of concentrated work. The bulletin also features ground reports from the BJP headquarters, where supporters are preparing for celebrations as the alliance nears the magic figure. The analysis underscores how Fadnavis has successfully appealed to diverse voter segments, from the 'Ladki Bhain' initiative to the aspirational youth, positioning the state to regain its top spot in India's economic landscape.

On this India Today special report, consulting editor Rajdeep Sardesai analyses the massive victory of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Maharashtra municipal corporation elections. Sardesai notes that the results across 29 municipal corporations, including a sweep in Nagpur, signal a 'generational shift' in the state's politics. He observes that 'the yug of the Pawar and Thackeray's is being replaced by' a BJP era, with Devendra Fadnavis emerging as the dominant figure. The discussion highlights how the BJP has asserted itself as the leading party, moving beyond the shadow of its allies. The panel, including Shweta Shalini and Rajat Sethi, discusses the decline of regional satraps and the reinvention of political identities in Maharashtra. Sardesai emphasizes that this victory is a personal triumph for Fadnavis, who has successfully stitched together an emphatic win, marking his return to absolute dominance since the political setbacks of 2019.

On this Special Report, Preeti Choudhry analyses the high-stakes battle for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and 29 other municipalities across Maharashtra. As counting begins, Choudhry cautions viewers to 'take everything with a pinch of salt' regarding exit polls, despite projections suggesting a sweep for the Mahayuti alliance. The programme examines whether the BJP can cross the 100-ward mark and emerge as the single largest party in Mumbai, a city governed by the Thackerays for over three decades. Key data from Access My India is discussed, highlighting a potential counter-polarisation where 68% of non-Marathi speaking voters backed the Mahayuti. The analysis also covers the 'Mamu factor', noting that 41% of Muslim voters reportedly backed the Congress over the Shiv Sena (UBT), and explores the impact of Raj Thackeray's controversial remarks on South Indian voters. From Pune, Omkar Wambley reports on the unique NCP faction alliance against the BJP in the local body elections.

In this news bulletin, Congress leader Pooja Tripathi discusses the party's strategy for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. Addressing the decision to contest independently rather than joining the Mahagathbandhan, Tripathi states, 'I'm very happy that the way we pitched our elections, the way we ran our campaign' was focused on development rather than divisive rhetoric. She highlights the party's manifesto points, including 6,000 new buses, pollution control, free health cards, and the promotion of Marathi schools. The discussion also features Advocate Sushil Vyas from the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, who asserts that the 2024 elections already established Shinde as the true inheritor of Balasaheb Thackeray's legacy. Analysts and representatives from the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) further examine the complex political landscape across 29 municipalities in Maharashtra, noting the 'unholy alliances' formed due to local priorities and the long 8.5-year gap since the last local body elections.

On this Special Report, anchor Preeti Choudhry discusses the exit poll projections for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. According to the Access My India exit polls, the Mahayuti alliance, comprising the BJP and Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena, is poised for a significant victory, projected to win between 131 and 151 wards. Preeti Choudhry notes that 'what is being projected is a sweep by the Mahayuti' as the alliance surpasses the halfway mark of 114. The programme highlights the projected vote shares, with the BJP at 28% and the UBT Shiv Sena at 24%. Reporter Ritwik provides updates from Raj Thackeray’s residence, noting controversies regarding voter ink and EVMs. Despite these issues, the ruling alliance appears dominant in the richest civic body. The report emphasizes that while exit polls suggest a clear trend, the final results from the ballot box will determine who governs Mumbai for the next five years.

This special report focuses on the high-stakes counting day for the 2026 municipal corporation elections. With results for 227 wards expected by mid-afternoon, the speaker describes the campaign as a 'grudge fest' and a 'war for prestige' to determine who will be the 'King Kong' of the city. The bulletin highlights the severe rancour that defined the electioneering, specifically the personal attacks and unsavoury remarks exchanged between rival political figures. The speaker notes that the campaign saw the revival of controversial slogans and the use of specific posters to galvanise regional identity for votes. Despite a heavy pitch for local pride during final rallies at major public grounds, the report points out that exit polls suggest a consolidation of the vote bank may not have occurred as expected. The programme analyses whether the strategy to focus on regional identity will yield results as the final tallies are declared.

This news bulletin focuses on the counting of votes for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and 29 other municipal corporations across Maharashtra. The unidentified speaker notes that these elections are being held after an eight-year gap, with the last polls occurring in 2017. The programme highlights the shifting political landscape, where traditional alliances have been reformed and new arithmetic has emerged. A key point of discussion is whether the 'Marathi Asmita' plank used by the Thackeray brothers can withstand the challenge from the Mahayati alliance. The speaker mentions, 'today we will know what the weight of Matushree really is,' referring to the long-standing influence of the Thackeray family over the BMC. Reporters provide updates from Pune and Mumbai, noting that while exit polls suggest a strong performance by the BJP, the final results will determine if a 'three-engine government' will take charge of Mumbai's civic body. The bulletin also touches upon the low voter turnout and the 69 uncontested wins already secured by Mahayati candidates.