maharashtra legislature

A faction of AIADMK MLAs has defied party leader Edappadi Palaniswami, announcing support for Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay's government and quitting the NDA alliance. This move raises questions about disqualification under anti-defection laws, as their actions may be construed as voluntarily giving up party membership, even without a formal merger.

Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar criticized Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis's motorcycle ride to Vidhan Bhavan as a publicity stunt, questioning the vehicle's compliance and the police's selective enforcement. The ride, accompanied by Ashish Shelar, aimed to promote fuel conservation following PM Modi's appeal. Minister Nitesh Rane also walked to a cabinet meeting, emphasizing austerity.

AIADMK faces a potential Shiv Sena-style split in Tamil Nadu after a fractured mandate. Rebel MLAs defied a party whip to support the new government, dividing the party. This move mirrors the Shiv Sena crisis and raises questions about AIADMK's future, its leadership, and control over its symbol.

NCP (SP) leader Anil Deshmukh has demanded the death penalty for the accused in the horrific sexual assault and murder of a four-year-old girl in Pune. He urged a fast-track trial and criticized the delay in implementing the Shakti Act, a stringent law aimed at curbing crimes against women and girls, which he believes would have ensured swifter justice.

Actor-politician Vijay's TVK party emerged as the single-largest force in Tamil Nadu, winning 108 seats. Despite this, Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar has paused an invitation to form the government, citing an "unestablished majority." This has triggered a constitutional showdown, with legal experts debating the governor's discretionary powers and the necessity of a floor test before an invitation.