Pioneer in short
MNS move jolts Sena UBT
A new political equation has emerged in the Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) after five corporators of the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) extended support to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, part of the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance. The move strengthens the ruling combine ahead of mayoral elections across Maharashtra’s civic bodies. Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde said the MNS support was aimed at ensuring stability and development, stressing that the mayor’s post would remain with the Mahayuti. With 53 Shiv Sena and 50 BJP corporators already in the 122-member house, the backing of five MNS members takes the alliance’s strength to 108. The development is seen as a setback for Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT), which had aligned with the MNS in recent civic polls. Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut claimed Raj Thackeray was unhappy and said the decision was taken locally, not by the party leadership. However, former MNS MLA Raju Patil said the move had Raj Thackeray’s approval and was intended to avoid a hung house and ensure smooth functioning of the civic body. The lottery for mayoral reservations is scheduled for January 22.
Prez to Visit Ram temple on March 19
President Droupadi Murmu will attend a programme organised by Shri Ram Janmboomi Teerth Kshetra Trust at the Ram temple complex on March 19, officials said on Wednesday. According to the trust officials, the president will be the chief guest for the event. The Trust has invited Murmu for the programme to be organised on the occasion of Chaitra Shukla Pratipada Samvat 2083, accordingly on 19 March 2026, they said. On the day of Nav Samvatsar, the president will honour 400 workers working at the Ram temple, the trust officials said. A delegation met the president in New Delhi on Wednesday to extend the formal invitation, they added.
SC on SIR: No power untrammelled
Observing that “no power can be untrammelled”, the Supreme Court on Wednesday cautioned that revision of electoral rolls can have serious civil consequences, particularly for individuals whose names are excluded from voters’ lists. The remarks came during the final hearing on petitions challenging the Election Commission’s decision to carry out a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in several States, including Bihar. A bench of the Chief Justice and Justice Joymalya Bagchi questioned whether the EC could depart from procedures prescribed under the Representation of the People Act, 1950.
