Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

India’s ruling party makes surprise comeback in Maharashtra state

INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi's party made an unexpected comeback to power Saturday (23) in wealthy Maharashtra state, home to the country's financial capital, after prolonged backroom negotiations saw presidential rule lifted after days of uncertainty.

President Ram Nath Kovind imposed direct rule on India's richest state last week after fiercely fought elections last month led to weeks of haggling between parties over forming a government.


The state was previously ruled by Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its regional ally Shiv Sena.

But they failed to agree another power-sharing deal despite results showing the coalition had won a comfortable majority for a second consecutive term.

Shiv Sena quit the partnership, hoping to convince their ideological rivals, the centre-left Indian National Congress, and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)to form a government instead.

In the end, though the BJP pulled off a major upset by joining hands with a top NCP leader to form a coalition, announcing the deal on Saturday.

"This bolsters the BJP and Modi's image in the state and the country," political commentator Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay told.

"While there were some questions being raised about their loss of dominance following election results, this verdict will cement Modi and BJP's control in the state", he added.

BJP's Devendra Fadnavis returned as Maharashtra chief minister, propped by NCP's Ajit Pawar, who took oath as deputy chief minister, even as NCP chief Sharad Pawar said the decision to side with Fadnavis was his nephew's personal choice and not that of the party.

The coalition still needs to prove its majority in the state legislature in a week's time in order to stay in power.

India has been battling an economic slowdown, and the imposition of presidential rule was a setback for Modi and for Mumbai, which is home to business tycoons, the stockmarket and the glitzy Bollywood film industry.

Under India's constitution, New Delhi can take direct control of a state in the absence of a local government and after obtaining consent from the president.

(AFP)

More For You

'India likely to be first to sign trade deal with the US'

Scott Bessent speaks during the Institute of International Finance (IIF) Global Outlook Forum in Washington, DC on April 23, 2025. (Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)

'India likely to be first to sign trade deal with the US'

US TREASURY SECRETARY Scott Bessent has said he expects India to be the first country to secure a bilateral trade deal avoiding President Donald Trump's reciprocal tariffs.

A 26 per cent 'reciprocal' tariff on Indian exports to the US is currently on a 90-day pause, set to expire on July 8. However, like other countries, India is presently subject to a 10 per cent tariff under the existing policy.

Keep ReadingShow less
Badenoch says Tories must work hard to win May polls

Kemi Badenoch

Badenoch says Tories must work hard to win May polls

Simon Finlay

CONSERVATIVE leader Kemi Badenoch made her second visit to Kent in six weeks, declaring her party can cling onto power at the county council elections on May 1.

However, Badenoch, who was in the county on Tuesday (22) to meet a farmer impacted by the government’s changes to inheritance tax, insisted “we are going to have to work hard for it”. Eighty one seats are up for grabs at Kent County Council (KCC) next week.

Keep ReadingShow less
UK-Parliament-iStock

The sanctions target politicians across parties who have supported calls for frozen Russian assets to be used to aid Ukraine. (Photo: iStock)

iStock

Russia bans 15 UK MPs and six peers over Ukraine remarks

RUSSIA has imposed sanctions on 15 British MPs and six members of the House of Lords, citing “hostile statements and unfounded accusations” about Moscow.

The move was announced by Russia’s foreign ministry in a statement accusing the UK of “fabricating anti-Russian narratives” and trying to “demonise” the country, The Guardian reported.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sri Lanka probes alleged photo leak of sacred Buddha tooth relic

Buddhist devotees stand in queues to enter the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy last Friday (18)

Sri Lanka probes alleged photo leak of sacred Buddha tooth relic

POLICE in Sri Lanka launched an investigation last Sunday (20) into a photo circulated on social media claiming to show a Buddha tooth relic, which has gone on display under tight security.

The Criminal Investigation Department was ordered to determine whether the widelyshared image was from the rare display of the relic, police said.

Keep ReadingShow less
Wexham Hall sale sparks bidding war between Council and Hindu group

Wexham Hall sale sparks bidding war between Council and Hindu group

Nick Clark

WEXHAM COURT PARISH COUNCIL said it wants to redevelop its hall into a community hub – but faces competition from a Hindu group that wants to buy the building.

Slough Borough Council owns the hall and leases it to the parish council.

Keep ReadingShow less