POLITICS
Uddhav Thackeray’s restrained aggression adds a new dimension to Shiv Sena
Uddhav Thackeray has once again redefined his party, and merged its aggressive DNA with passive, peaceful responses. It is a new dimension for the Shiv Sena, and it might just work
POLITICS
The new Shiv Sena is more a natural ally of Congress than BJP
The Shiv Sena seems to be at ease in its alliance with the Congress and there seems to be a natural cohesion between the two parties. This is in stark contrast to its alliance with the BJP where visible differences were common
POLITICS
Is BJP pinning its hopes in Maharashtra on Narayan Rane?
Narayan Rane is a senior politician who has built an image of a strong leader while his clout and influence among the electorate have been dwindling over the years
POLITICS
Politics | Decoding the Rashtra Manch meeting and Sharad Pawar’s messaging
The ambiguity surrounding the June 22 meeting leaves enough room for its purpose being open to interpretation. These are deliberate gaps which have been left so that the meeting sends a message to those who would care to pay attention, and is ignored by the others. This has Sharad Pawar's stamp all over it
POLITICS
Could Opposition unity over COVID-19 lead to political unity against BJP?
Opposition parties have united to criticise the BJP’s handling of the COVID-19 second wave. It has to be seen if this unity will extend to the elections in the near future
POLITICS
COVID-19 Second Wave | In Maharashtra, it’s politics as usual
One would have hoped that our political class would put their differences aside and focus on beating the virus — but they’ve been at daggers drawn, and more so now
POLITICS
The MVA government leads a charmed existence
Apart from this interplay between former allies the BJP and the Shiv Sena, there have been other undercurrents that brought the MVA government to the brink from which it pulled back just in time
POLITICS
Governors vs Chief Ministers | The politics behind helicopter rides
Pettiness in politics is not a new phenomenon. So far as use of helicopters by Governors and other VIPs go, permissions depend upon the whims and fancies of Chief Ministers
POLITICS
Aurangabad or Sambhajinagar: AMC polls will test the strength of Maha Vikas Aghadi
Managing the political developments before the Aurangabad Municipal Corporations elections is not going to be an easy task for any party. How well the Maha Vikas Aghadi manages the contradiction will determine the future of its partnership
POLITICS
Local Body Polls | BJP on the back foot in Maharashtra
The loss of Nagpur after 58 years and the loss of Pune after 20 years in local elections will be a shot in the arm for the Maha Vikas Aghadi government
POLITICS
One year later, Uddhav Thackeray runs a strong, confident government
Uddhav Thackeray continues to exuberate confidence and his demeanour and poise do not have the trepidations of a first-time chief minister. His detractors are increasingly getting frustrated as he either ignores them, or finds constitutional means to tackle obstacles.
BUSINESS
The political subtext to the Koshyari-Thackeray letters
The duel between Bhagat Singh Koshyari and Uddhav Thackeray has been on for a while now, and the Governor might be particularly incensed with Thackeray for outsmarting him at every step
POLITICS
Can Shiv Sena ever change its stripes, from a violent party to a genteel outfit?
While Uddhav Thackeray has been trying hard for years to shed the image of the party as one of street fighters and lumpen elements that suited his father Bal Thackeray's party very well, the Shiv Sena has not quite been able to fully replace the other more refined political parties in the people’s affections
BUSINESS
Maharashtra Politics | Thackerays are the target
With Uddhav Thackeray appearing to be a strong leader, with the backing of Sharad Pawar, the BJP is shifting its focus on Aaditya Thackeray
BUSINESS
Lessons young Congress leaders can learn from Narasimha Rao
In an era where Congressmen are falling like ninepins to the lure of power, Narasimha Rao nipped in the bud efforts to draw him into leading a rebellion against his party, even when he was being ill-treated in the party
POLITICS
Politicians make the difference in the fight against COVID-19
Where there is political leadership, the bureaucracy has a fighting chance of beating the virus. Where the leaders are invisible, the battle is nearly in danger of being lost
BUSINESS
COVID-19 | Why the migrant crisis stings CM Uddhav Thackeray more
As migrants leave cities and return home, Maharashtra looks at a big economic crisis
POLITICS
Highs and lows for the bureaucracy in the fight against COVID-19 in Maharashtra
A crisis of this magnitude is a challenge for the best of administrators. That is why the success in this fight squarely lies on the administrative acumen of each state
POLITICS
Politics | In Maharashtra’s COVID-19 response, CM Uddhav Thackeray disproves his critics
Uddhav Thackeray has had a grip on the health crisis in the state right from the first week. Alongside he has also managed to paper over the cracks within his own government
POLITICS
Politics | Rashmi Thackeray, the power behind the Thackeray empire
Although Rashmi Thackeray's appointment as Saamana editor may seemingly be a break from the male-oriented past of the party where women have had only marginal roles, her being family is of more consequence.
POLITICS
Politics | Jyotiraditya Scindia misses an opportunity
Jyotiraditya Scindia is facing virtually the same faction of leaders in the Congress that his father Madhavrao Scindia had faced. While his father formed his own party, Jyotiraditya Scindia appears to be power hungry and not very ideologically committed.
POLITICS
Politics | Two issues testing the Thackeray government’s strength
Other than the Bhima Koregaon case, the more crucial difference in the Maharashtra coalition is over the triple issues of the Citizenship Amendment Act, the National Register of Citizens, and the National Population Register.
