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By:

Quad Najmi and PTI

17 June 2026 at 5:11:32 pm

Uddhav faces another rebellion; decision today

Six Lok Sabha MPs trying to move away; picture may be clear at today’s Parliamentary party meeting in New Delhi AI generated image Mumbai: A cloak-and-dagger crisis engulfing the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena has landed at the door of the Lok Sabha Speaker, with the party urging him to guard against any unlawful defection and issuing a whip directing its MPs to attend a meeting in Delhi on Thursday. Amid the escalating crisis, a group of rebel Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders is learnt to have met...

Uddhav faces another rebellion; decision today

Six Lok Sabha MPs trying to move away; picture may be clear at today’s Parliamentary party meeting in New Delhi AI generated image Mumbai: A cloak-and-dagger crisis engulfing the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena has landed at the door of the Lok Sabha Speaker, with the party urging him to guard against any unlawful defection and issuing a whip directing its MPs to attend a meeting in Delhi on Thursday. Amid the escalating crisis, a group of rebel Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders is learnt to have met Speaker Om Birla informally on Wednesday, claiming the support of six of the party's nine MPs in the Lower House, sources said. Thursday's high-stakes meeting in Delhi will legally and physically define whether Uddhav Thackeray retains his parliamentary strength or faces another devastating party division, the third since Raj Thackeray split Shiv Sena in 2006. Sources in Sena (UBT) said the rival camp still doesn't have the support of six MPs. They claim two of the six rebels have reportedly changed their mind. In a swift counter-offensive to contain the damage, the party high command issued a mandatory three-line whip, summoning an emergency parliamentary party meeting in New Delhi on Thursday to force a physical showdown where the MPs will have to mark their presence physically. The developments triggered a day of high political drama in the national capital, marked by a furious, expletive-laden press conference by Raut, a reported counter-meeting by the rebel faction with Lok Sabha Speaker Birla, and sharp condemnation from the Congress. The internal fracture was visible at Sanjay Raut's press briefing, where only three other Lok Sabha MPs, Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai, and Rajabhau Waje, stood by him. The remaining six lawmakers were conspicuously absent; their exact whereabouts are unknown. The Sena (UBT) has nine MPs in the Lok Sabha, and at least two‑thirds of them would be required to form a separate group. Apart from Desai, Waje and Sawant, the other six MPs are Sanjay Patil, Sanjay Deshmukh, Omprakash Raje Nimbalkar, Bhausaheb Wakchaure, Nagesh Patil-Ashtikar and Sanjay Jadhav Not Reachable The six MPs stopped responding or became unavailable since Wednesday forenoon, after which the party stopped contacting them. They said when the party contacted Mumbai North East MP, Sanjay Dina Patil, he told party leaders that he was not with the rebel group. The party had asked them to submit a letter to the Lok Sabha Speaker, which he has not submitted so far. Later in the day, sources claimed that the group of six rebel lawmakers had privately met the Lok Sabha Speaker to claim a two-thirds majority in the Lower House, the precise threshold required to escape disqualification under the anti-defection law. Simultaneously, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who split the undivided Shiv Sena in 2022, was reportedly camping in Delhi to oversee the operational layout of the defection of MPs. He returned to his home town Thane in Wednesday night. He is reportedly studying all the legal aspects before taking a final call before the party’s foundation day on Friday. Speaker’s Role Following reports of the rebels' move, a loyalist delegation consisting of Raut, Sawant, and Desai rushed to meet Speaker Birla to file a formal representation urging him to reject any unlawful group alignment. Desai argued that the legal provisions are strictly on the side of the original organisational structure. "Under the law, a splinter group cannot simply merge with another party on its own, even if they have two-thirds support. Only the original administrative party holds that right," Desai told reporters, adding that the Speaker assured them he would thoroughly examine every legal aspect before rendering a decision. The widening panic inside the party also triggered a public, familial disconnect involving missing Hingoli MP Nagesh Patil-Ashtikar. While the MP remained unreachable, his son, Krushna Patil Ashtikar, the MVA's official candidate for Thursday's Maharashtra Legislative Council elections, released a video statement strongly defending Uddhav Thackeray. "I am a Shiv Sainik of Uddhav Thackeray. There is no room for doubt when it comes to me," the younger Ashtikar stated.

Tradition Meets Modernity

Tradition Meets Modernity
Uttar pradesh

As the sacred waters of the Triveni Sangam prepare to embrace millions of pilgrims, the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 promises to be a confluence of faith, heritage and cutting-edge technology. Beginning January 13 in Prayagraj, this year’s Kumbh Mela blends the ancient with the contemporary, utilizing cutting-edge technology to manage what is projected to be the largest gathering of humanity on Earth.


The Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government has spared no effort in ensuring that this Kumbh surpasses all previous iterations. With an estimated 40 to 50 crore visitors expected over 45 days, preparations are unprecedented in scale and ambition. The infrastructure has been meticulously expanded, with the fairgrounds growing from 3,200 to 4,000 hectares and divided into 25 sectors. Connectivity has been bolstered by new highways, expanded parking zones, and eco-friendly electric buses ferrying devotees seamlessly.


Central to this year’s Kumbh is the strategic use of technology to manage the colossal influx of people. AI-enabled cameras, drone surveillance, and RFID wristbands will track movements, ensuring efficient crowd management. For the first time, an MoU with Google has integrated the Mela into its navigation system, offering devotees real-time directions to key sites. Meanwhile, an AI-powered chatbot in 11 languages will assist pilgrims, reflecting an inclusive approach to the event.


The blending of innovation with tradition is most strikingly embodied in the “Digital Kumbh” initiative. Virtual reality, holograms, and immersive walkways will provide pilgrims with a unique glimpse into the mythological and spiritual legacy of the Kumbh, bridging generations and connecting young audiences with its timeless significance. This vision of merging heritage with modernity underscores a broader narrative: that India’s spiritual and cultural essence is not in conflict with progress but is enriched by it.


Health and sanitation, critical challenges at any mass gathering, are being tackled with equal zeal. A 100-bed hospital at the Parade Ground, supplemented by several smaller facilities, promises to deliver round-the-clock care. The ‘Netra Kumbh’ initiative, aimed at providing free eye examinations to five lakh pilgrims, is poised to set a world record, underlining the government’s commitment to holistic welfare. Sanitation efforts have been scaled up dramatically, with eco-friendly practices promoted and solid waste management facilities upgraded to ensure a clean, plastic-free Kumbh.


Security has also been a cornerstone of preparations. With over 35,000 personnel deployed, including rapid response teams and women officers, the Kumbh Mela 2025 will have a seven-tier security system. AI-enabled surveillance and facial recognition technology will further ensure the safety of attendees. This vigilance reflects the enormity of the task at hand: managing a temporary city that dwarfs many permanent ones in both population and complexity.


Beyond logistics and technology, the Maha Kumbh is steeped in symbolism. The addition of nine concrete ghats and the extension of temporary bathing areas signify the enduring faith of millions who come to cleanse their sins in the Ganga. The cultural grandeur of 100-foot entrance gates, themed on India’s rich heritage, complements the spiritual essence of the event, creating a spectacle that resonates globally.


This Kumbh reflects a vision of India that preserves its heritage while embracing the future. The meticulous planning and execution of this event highlight the capacity of modern governance to honour tradition while leveraging innovation for societal benefit.


As the first pilgrims step into the holy waters on January 13, the world will watch not only a religious gathering but a remarkable feat of organization and imagination. The Maha Kumbh Mela this year promises to be much more than an event, sending out a message of what India can achieve when its ancient soul walks hand in hand with modern ingenuity.

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