In a major political realignment ahead of crucial municipal elections in Maharashtra, estranged cousins Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray are set to formally announce an alliance today. This reunion, coming sixteen years after the split between the Shiv Sena and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), is poised to disrupt the electoral calculations for the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls, Asia's richest civic body.
Political Reconfiguration in Maharashtra
The Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS alliance marks a significant shift in the state's political landscape. Sources indicate that the parties are finalizing their seat-sharing formula. The bonhomie between the two factions notably grew as they united in opposition to the state government's now-scrapped three-language formula for primary schools.
This new coalition presents a direct challenge to the BJP, forcing it to rely more heavily on its ally, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. While Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has publicly downplayed the impact, BJP insiders confirm the party is actively working on counter-strategies. For the Sena, retaining its 30-year control over the BMC is a paramount objective, whereas the BJP aims to build on its recent successes in local body elections.
In a related development, with the BJP refusing an alliance with the Ajit Pawar-led NCP for polls in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, a potential reunion of the estranged Pawar family is now on the cards.
Controversy Over Aravalli Hills Definition
A new controversy has emerged regarding the Supreme Court's recent decision on defining the ecologically sensitive Aravalli Hills. The court accepted a definition proposed by a Union Environment Ministry panel on November 20, which considers landforms at an elevation of 100 meters or above from the local relief as part of the Aravallis.
However, it has now been revealed that the Supreme Court's own Central Empowered Committee (CEC) had written to the amicus curiae before the verdict, clarifying that it did not examine or approve this recommendation. The CEC, in a letter dated October 14, had advocated for adopting the Forest Survey of India's (FSI) definition. The FSI's mapping includes areas above a minimum elevation with a slope of at least 3 degrees, a criterion that offers protection to the lower hills as well.
Adding to the complexity, the CEC has stated that the views attributed to it in the Environment Ministry's affidavit to the apex court were those of only one member, not the full committee.
Sports, Policy, and More
In sports, the BCCI's mandate for international stars to play domestic cricket has brought unprecedented attention to the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Today, Rohit Sharma will draw crowds in Jaipur for the Sikkim vs Mumbai match, while Virat Kohli will feature for Delhi against Andhra in Bengaluru. Notably, the Bengaluru match will be played behind closed doors at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence due to a spectator ban at Chinnaswamy Stadium following a stampede during RCB celebrations.
On the policy front, the Centre's new rural jobs scheme, the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) or VB-G RAM G Act, includes a provision to pause the scheme for 60 days. Experts suggest its implementation may face hurdles due to its fund-sharing pattern with states and a "normative allocation" clause that introduces a top-down budgeting approach.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the Rashtra Prerna Sthal, a memorial for BJP icons, in Lucknow on December 25. The 65-acre complex, shaped like a lotus, will feature towering bronze statues of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Syama Prasad Mookerjee, and Deendayal Upadhyay.
In international news, tensions have escalated between India and Bangladesh following the killing of a student leader in Bangladesh and protests in India over the lynching of a Hindu youth across the border, leading to tit-for-tat diplomatic summons.
