Virat Kohli wants Team India to maintain high intensity throughout World Cup 2019

On this news bulletin, Consulting Editor Rajdeep Sardesai analyzes the early trends of the Maharashtra municipal corporation elections, specifically focusing on the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Sardesai notes that 'across Maharashtra, what you're seeing is the BJP emerging clearly as party number one,' highlighting their dominance in Pune and other regions. The discussion, featuring analysts Rajat Sethi and Manish Thabade, explores the shifting demographics of Mumbai and the impact of the 'Mahmood' (Marathi, Muslim, Dalit) vote bank. Sardesai points out that the opposition's reliance on outdated regional identity politics may be failing against the BJP's 'Hindutva plus development' pitch. The panel examines the survival of the Thackeray brand and the legitimacy of leaders like Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde in the wake of these results. The program concludes that the BJP has successfully consolidated its position by learning from past electoral mistakes while the opposition faces fragmentation.

On this Special Report, Preeti Choudhry analyses the early trends of the Maharashtra local body elections, specifically focusing on the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls. The transcript highlights a close contest in Mumbai, where the BJP is leading with 31 seats against the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena's 23. Choudhry notes, 'If this alliance crosses 114, BJP is not going to do any favours this time to Eknath Shinde and give them the mayorship.' The discussion extends to other regions like Thane, Kalyan-Dombivli, and Pune, where the BJP is showing strong performance even in traditional bastions of the Shinde family and Ajit Pawar. The programme examines the internal dynamics of the Mahayuti alliance, noting the friction between partners Ajit Pawar and the BJP at the local level despite their partnership in the Mantralaya. The report also touches upon the impact of voter turnout and the potential for the BJP to claim the Mayor's post independently if they cross the 100-seat mark.

On this Special Report, Consulting Editor Rajdeep Sardesai analyses the early leads in the crucial Mumbai and Pune municipal elections. Sardesai observes a potential 'tectonic shift' in Mumbai politics as the BJP takes an early lead over the Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray factions. He notes, 'The fact is people may deny it, but the truth of the matter is there is a huge premium on cash in a corporation election.' The discussion highlights the strategic battle for 227 wards, specifically focusing on the 144 Maharashtrian-dominated seats where the Shiv Sena has historically held a 'citadel' for 30 years. Sardesai explains that the BJP has focused on breaking the Marathi vote bank while consolidating North Indian and Gujarati pockets. The bulletin also covers the 'battle of existence' for the Pawar family in Pune, where the BJP is showing early dominance, potentially dealing a dual setback to the Thackeray and Pawar dynasties.

On this news report, the focus is on the commencement of counting for the crucial Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. The unidentified speaker notes that the final voter turnout stands at 52.94 per cent, a decrease from the 55.53 per cent recorded in 2017, suggesting that a 'four-day weekend has meant many Mumbaikars seemingly have not voted as strongly as one expected.' The bulletin highlights the unique counting process involving 46 wards simultaneously across 23 centres. Initial trends show the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leading in twelve seats, while the Shiv Sena (UBT) led alliance leads in six. Reporting from Wilson College, the broadcast details that postal ballots are being processed first before EVM counting begins. The State Election Commission expects results to start coming in shortly, despite the low turnout observed particularly in South Mumbai. The programme also touches upon the contest in Pune involving the Ajit Pawar faction of the NCP.