India News

Ajit Pawar aimed to reunite NCP factions as goodwill gesture to Sharad Pawar

Ajit Pawar wanted to reunite the two NCP factions as a birthday gesture for Sharad Pawar, but the plan did not take shape, NCP (SP) leader Ankush Kakade revealed.

Published

3 months ago

January 30, 2026

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Ajit Pawar had attempted to bring together the two factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) last month as a goodwill gesture to his uncle Sharad Pawar on his birthday, but the effort did not succeed, according to NCP (SP) leader Ankush Kakade.

Speaking while paying tribute to the late Maharashtra deputy chief minister, Kakade said Pawar had personally asked him and other senior leaders to help initiate reconciliation talks between the divided factions of the party.

Efforts to reunite NCP before December 12

Kakade said Ajit Pawar had reached out to leaders including Vitthal Sheth Maniar and Srinivas Patil, citing their close association with Sharad Pawar, and urged them to act as intermediaries.

Recalling the conversation, Kakade said Ajit Pawar had expressed his wish for both factions to come together on December 12, Sharad Pawar’s birthday. Although the plan did not materialise at the time, Pawar had indicated that the process could be revisited after elections.

However, the reunion effort remained incomplete, Kakade noted, adding that Pawar was keen on preserving and strengthening the political legacy built by Sharad Pawar.

Ajit Pawar remembered for handling party legacy

Reflecting on his political journey with Ajit Pawar, Kakade said he would always remember how the leader managed internal challenges while remaining mindful of the senior Pawar’s stature within the party.

Ajit Pawar died on Wednesday along with four others when their aircraft crashed near the tabletop runway at Baramati airport in Pune district. Officials said the aircraft caught fire during a second landing attempt amid poor visibility.

Those who lost their lives in the crash included two pilots, Pawar’s personal security officer and a flight attendant.

Leadership questions emerge after Pawar’s death

Following his death, attention has shifted to the future leadership of the NCP. Party voices are calling for Ajit Pawar’s wife, Sunetra Pawar, currently a Rajya Sabha MP, to take charge as party president and legislative leader.

Sources indicated that if this option faces political or procedural hurdles, senior leader Praful Patel may be considered for the role.

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India News

Turnout crosses 80% in Bengal and Tamil Nadu till 5 PM in key elections

Bengal phase 1 and Tamil Nadu elections witness strong voter turnout, crossing 80% with largely peaceful polling.

Published

3 hours ago

April 23, 2026

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Polling for the 2026 Assembly elections is underway in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, with voters turning out in large numbers across key constituencies.

In West Bengal, voting is being held across 152 constituencies, with around 3.6 crore voters expected to participate in this phase. Security arrangements were tightened, and long queues of voters were seen at polling stations from early morning.

Turnout rises steadily through the day

Voter participation increased consistently as polling progressed. By afternoon, turnout had crossed the halfway mark in both states, indicating steady engagement.

As per latest updates till 5 PM, West Bengal recorded 89.92% turnout, while Tamil Nadu reported 82.24% voter participation.

Large electorate participates in phase 1

In West Bengal, nearly 3.6 crore eligible voters took part in the first phase across several districts, including Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri.

Tamil Nadu is witnessing a three-way contest between the DMK-led alliance, the AIADMK-BJP alliance, and actor Vijay’s entry into the political space.

Sporadic incidents reported

Polling has been largely peaceful, though isolated incidents were reported, including an attack on BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul’s car and a boycott reported in parts of Tamil Nadu.

Despite these disruptions, voting continued without major interruptions, and authorities maintained overall control.

High-stakes political contest

The elections are being closely watched as major political parties compete for power. West Bengal is witnessing a closely fought contest, while in Tamil Nadu, key regional rivals are battling for control of the state Assembly.

The outcome is expected to play an important role in shaping the political landscape of both states.

Education

UP Board result 2026 declared: Class 10 pass rate at 90.42%, class 12 at 80.38%

UP Board 2026 results are out with strong pass rates. Here’s how to check your score and key highlights.

Published

4 hours ago

April 23, 2026

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The Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad has declared the UP Board Class 10 and Class 12 results for 2026 on April 23 at 4 pm.

This year, more than 52 lakh students registered for the exams, including over 27 lakh candidates in Class 10 and nearly 25 lakh in Class 12. The examinations were conducted between February 18 and March 12 across around 8,000 centres in the state.

Pass percentage and performance trends

The overall performance remains strong:

Class 10 pass percentage: 90.42%
Class 12 pass percentage: 80.38%

Girls have once again outperformed boys in both classes, continuing the trend seen in previous years.

How to check UP Board result 2026

Students can access their results through official platforms by following these steps:

Visit the official website: upmsp.edu.in or upresults.nic.in
Click on the result link for Class 10 or Class 12
Enter roll number and required details
View and download the provisional marksheet

Alternatively, results are also available via DigiLocker and other digital platforms.

What students should do after results

Students are advised to:

Download and print the provisional marksheet immediately
Collect the original marksheet from their respective schools later
Apply for re-evaluation or compartment exams if required

India News

Voting underway in West Bengal phase 1 and Tamil Nadu as turnout crosses 50% by afternoon

Voter turnout crosses 50% in West Bengal phase 1 and Tamil Nadu as polling continues across key constituencies.

Published

8 hours ago

April 23, 2026

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Voting is underway in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu as the 2026 assembly elections see active participation from voters across both states. In West Bengal, the first phase of polling is being held across 152 constituencies in 16 districts, marking the beginning of a multi-phase election process.

Tamil Nadu, on the other hand, is witnessing single-phase polling across all 234 assembly seats, making it a crucial electoral day for the state.

Polling began in the morning with voters arriving at booths early, and arrangements were in place to ensure smooth voting.

Turnout figures show steady participation

As voting progressed, turnout figures indicated moderate to strong participation in both states.

West Bengal recorded around 62.2% voter turnout by 1 pm
Tamil Nadu saw approximately 56.8% turnout by the same time

Earlier in the day, initial turnout trends showed gradual momentum as queues built up at polling stations.

High-stakes contest in both states

The elections are significant for major political parties in both regions.

In West Bengal, the contest remains largely between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party, with several key constituencies drawing attention. Around 3.6 crore voters are eligible to vote in this phase, highlighting the scale of the exercise.

Tamil Nadu’s election features a traditional contest between the DMK and AIADMK alliances, with the outcome expected to shape the state’s political direction.

Security and arrangements in place

Authorities have deployed security personnel and made logistical arrangements to ensure peaceful polling. Reports indicate that voting is largely proceeding smoothly, with monitoring systems in place across sensitive areas.

The election process in West Bengal will continue with the second phase scheduled for April 29, while Tamil Nadu will conclude voting in a single day.