Cheteshwar Pujara says ultimate goal was to play for India again: Wanted the comeback

On this Special Report, Gaurav Sawant anchors the coverage of the 2026 Maharashtra civic body elections, where the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance has emerged as the dominant force. The alliance is leading in 25 of 29 municipal bodies, including the crucial Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), effectively ending the 25-year stronghold of the Thackeray family. Gaurav Sawant notes that 'Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, of course, gave the credit of BJP Plus, the Mahayuti spectacular victory in Maharashtra, to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's politics of development.' The programme features a heated debate with representatives from the Congress, BJP, and both Shiv Sena factions. While the BJP celebrates the mandate as a victory for 'Vikas,' the opposition, led by Rahul Gandhi and the Shiv Sena (UBT), has raised serious allegations regarding 'vote chori,' citing concerns over indelible ink, EVMs, and the electoral roll. The report also covers the Election Commission's probe into marker pens and exclusive political updates from Tamil Nadu and international developments involving Donald Trump.

Preeti Choudhry anchors this Special Report from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation building as Maharashtra civic poll results indicate a significant political shift. The Mahayuti alliance, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party and Eknath Shinde, secures a dominant position across 29 municipalities. Analysts Rajdeep Sardesai, Sahil Joshi, and Dhawal Kulkarni join the discussion to examine the BJP's emergence as the primary force in India's wealthiest civic body. The report details the impact on the Thackeray and Pawar families, noting a decline in traditional regional brand influence. Devendra Fadnavis is identified as the architect of this electoral strategy, with the panel evaluating his potential transition into national politics by 2029. Key topics include the fragmentation of the Muslim vote, the systematic dismantling of regional rivals like the Shiv Sena and NCP, and the evolving political landscape of Mumbai. The program concludes that the BJP's urban appeal and strategic alliances have fundamentally altered the Maharashtra political map, forcing the opposition to reinvent their strategies.

This India Today news bulletin provides the latest trends for the Mumbai BMC elections, covering 215 out of 227 wards. The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance is currently leading in 110 wards, while the Shiv Sena (UBT) and its allies are ahead in 70. During the broadcast, Dr. Shama Mohamed criticized the Election Commission, stating, 'The election commission has become an arm of this,' and alleged that the process was not democratically conducted. Dr. Shoaib Hashmi of the Shiv Sena (UBT) maintained that the legacy of Balasaheb Thackeray remains with Uddhav Thackeray, despite the current trends. Conversely, Dr. Raju Waghmare of the Mahayuti dismissed the opposition's claims as excuses for their performance, suggesting the results reflect a shift in the 'Thackeray brand' influence. The discussion highlights the intense political battle over Mumbai's civic body and the conflicting narratives regarding electoral integrity and political legacy.

This special report covers the 2026 Maharashtra civic election results, where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has emerged as the single largest force. The party has successfully consolidated its position across the state's civic map, most notably breaking the 25-year-long Thackeray stronghold in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). While the BJP celebrates leading in over 20 out of 29 municipal corporations, the opposition has raised serious allegations regarding the electoral process. Rahul Gandhi has escalated the row, 'alleging vote theft and accusing the Election Commission of gaslighting citizens' following controversies over voter deletions and the use of erasable indelible ink. In response to these concerns, the Maharashtra State Election Commission has ordered a probe into the marker pens used during polling. The BJP has dismissed these claims, labeling the opposition as a 'bahana brigade' and citing a clear mandate from the urban shift in Maharashtra’s political landscape.