In a major political development, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi has officially assumed additional charge of the Ministry of Education, following the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan. The Centre moved swiftly to ensure continuity in the Education Ministry after weeks of unprecedented nationwide student protests. Pralhad Joshi, who continues to hold the portfolios of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, and New & Renewable Energy, thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for entrusting him with the responsibility and pledged to discharge his duties with humility, dedication, and honesty. The appointment follows a month-long agitation led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) over alleged NEET paper leak and examination irregularities. The protest officially ended after the third round of talks between the Centre and CJP, during which the government accepted the protesters' key demands, including the resignation of the Education Minister, withdrawal of FIRs against protesters, and consideration of a five-point charter on examination reforms.

Pralhad Joshi Takes Over Education Ministry | Dharmendra Pradhan Resigns | CJP Ends Protest

Ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla approved the merger of six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. The move raises the Shinde faction's strength in the Lok Sabha to 13 MPs, making it the largest NDA ally from Maharashtra and dealing a major setback to Uddhav Thackeray. The development comes amid the all-party meeting and speculation over key constitutional bills in the upcoming session.

Lok Sabha Speaker approves Shiv Sena UBT MPs' merger with Shinde Faction | Big NDA Boost

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla approved the merger of six Shiv Sena (UBT) rebel MPs with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, while keeping the merger of 20 rebel TMC MPs with the NCPI pending.

Lok Sabha Speaker recognises six UBT rebel MPs as Shiv Sena, leaving Uddhav Thackeray with three

Out of the nine Lok Sabha MPs, Lok Sabha floor leader Arvind Sawant, chief whip Anil Desai, and Nashik MP Rajabhau Waje were the only ones to be present in the parliamentary party meeting called by Uddhav Thackeray on June 18.

6 Shiv Sena (UBT) rebel MPs join Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena

Thackeray said he would not back down from challenges but was ready to step aside if party workers lost faith in him, days after six of the party's nine Lok Sabha MPs broke ranks with the leadership.

Amid defection buzz, Uddhav Thackeray offers to step down as Shiv Sena (UBT) chief, vows to fight on

Raj Thackeray said that the defeat doesn’t mean he would lose heart and give up. Though Raj’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) could win just six seats in the BMC elections, he vowed to keep fighting for his state and Marathis. 

‘Fight isn’t over yet’: Thackeray cousins vow to continue their Marathi identity politics

After nearly two decades of rivalry, Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray are set to announce a political alliance ahead of the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections. The split between Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS had long divided Marathi-speaking voters in Mumbai, influencing past election outcomes. Analysts say their combined vote share could significantly impact key civic wards, though questions remain about whether the Thackeray name still holds sway over Mumbai voters.


Maharashtra politics: Uddhav, Raj appeal to Maratha mass ahead of Mumbai polls 

CM Devendra Fadnavis said the new alliance is between two parties that have lost their identity. He added that the Thackeray cousins have lost their vote bank by doing politics of appeasement and their coming together will have no impact.

Fadnavis mocks Uddhav-Raj Thackeray reunion, says, ‘As if Russia and Ukraine came together’

The move is being seen as a potential game-changer in Mumbai’s fiercely contested civic battle. The alliance aims to consolidate the Marathi vote in Mumbai and challenge the ruling Mahayuti alliance led by the BJP, Eknath Shinde–led Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar–led NCP. 

After two decades, Uddhav and Raj Thackeray join hands for crucial BMC polls

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey on Thursday attacked Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray over the Hindi-Marathi row, claiming they thrash only the poor for not speaking Maharashtra's native language.

'You beat poor...': BJP MP gives big Mukesh Ambani dare to Raj Thackeray, Uddhav Thackeray

The video appears to be a response to an incident earlier this month in Maharashtra's Thane district, where seven workers of Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) assaulted a sweet shop owner, Babulal Chaudhary, for not speaking Marathi. 

'This is your nation, do what you'...: A Marathi was found working in Haryana amid anti-north Indian sentiment in Maharashtra. Then, this happened

 Under this government, a GR (government resolution) was issued according to the 2020 National Educational Policy (NEP), which stated three languages in the academic curriculum. With English and Marathi being the primary two languages, the government added Hindi as the third language.

Thackeray re-union: Timeline of events in Raj and Uddhav political career

With Maharashtra's political landscape shifting once again, and the two Thackeray cousins reuniting, it is important to look back at the history and lineage of the Thackeray family. The family's political roots trace back to Keshav Sitaram Thackeray, widely known as Prabodhankar Thackeray.

'From Balasaheb, Raj to Uddhav Thackeray': Understanding the family tree of Maharashtra's biggest political dynasty

After nearly two decades of estrangement, cousins Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray on Saturday announced their reunion as they addressed a joint rally in Mumbai to oppose the alleged imposition of the Hindi language over Maharashtra by the state government. 

At reunion, Raj Thackeray's 'hit below eardrums' remark; Uddhav Thackeray says 'we are gundas if...'

India news: Raj Thackeray left the Shiv Sena in November 2005, after which he floated his own political party, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), in March 2006.

Raj Thackeray and Uddhav meet at wedding, fuel speculation of reconciliation

India News Trending: The Indian home minister further pointed out that the result also showed that Eknath Shinde's party was the real Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar's party was the real NCP.

People of Maharashtra ended politics of 'betrayal and back stabbing' in polls: Amit Shah

Chief Minister of the Indian state of Maharashtra Eknath Shinde hit out at his rival Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday (Nov 23) as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Mahayuti alliance appeared set for a landslide victory in the Maharashtra assembly elections.

Eknath Shinde slams Uddhav Thackeray after Mahayuti’s win in Maharashtra: 'Answered criticism with work'

It's election season in India as the states of Maharashtra and Jharkhand recently voted in assembly polls. The election for 288 seats in Maharashtra was held in a single phase on November 20, while Jharkhand voted in two phases – November 13 and November 20 – for a total of 81 assembly seats.

Assembly polls in India: Mahayuti set for landslide win in Maharashtra; INDIA bloc cross majority in J'khand

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has accused the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government of conspiring to arrest his current deputy, BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis.

Eknath Shinde reveals MVA government's arrest plot against Fadnavis to undermine BJP

Workers of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) threw coconuts and cow dung at the convoy of former Chief Minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray in the Indian state of Maharashtra's Thane, on Saturday (August 10), according to a report by news agency ANI.

India: MNS workers hurl coconuts, cow dung at Uddhav Thackeray's convoy; 20 arrested

Former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) top leader Uddhav Thackeray launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday (Aug 3) and accused the ruling party of engaging in "power jihad" to destabilise political parties and retain power.

'Aurangzeb Fan Club' Vs Ahmad Shah Abdali showdown between Thackeray, Shah takes over Maharashtra politics

India's Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a full-blown attack on the Maharashtra opposition coalition, Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and its prominent leaders. Shah called former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray part of the 'Aurangzeb fan club' and while referring to Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief, Sharad Pawar termed him as the 'ringleader' of corruption in the country.

Uddhav leader of ‘Aurangzeb fan club’, Sharad Pawar ’ringleader’ of corruption: Amit Shah tears into MVA

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday (June 12) asked if Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi would visit the conflict-stricken Manipur after RSS supremo Mohan Bhagwant raised concerns over the current situation in the northeastern state.