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BJP driven by power, not Hindutva, says Uddhav Thackeray amid BMC poll pitch

Uddhav Thackeray has accused the BJP of being driven by power rather than Hindutva, criticised its alliances, and asserted that Mumbai’s mayor will be Marathi as BMC elections approach.

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Uddhav Thackeray

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief and former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray has launched a sharp political offensive against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing it of being motivated purely by power rather than ideology, as campaigning intensifies ahead of the crucial Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections.

In an interview to a regional media channel on Thursday, Thackeray rejected the BJP’s repeated assertion of being a pro-Hindutva party, claiming that its actions were driven by opportunism and an obsession with remaining in power.

“BJP is not a Hindutva party; it is a party obsessed with power,” Thackeray said, alleging that the party was willing to align with anyone to secure political control. He claimed that the BJP’s ideological positioning was merely a façade and accused it of abandoning principles whenever it suited its interests.

Drawing a historical comparison, Thackeray referred to the role of the Jan Sangh during the United Maharashtra movement, alleging that it joined late and exited first after its objectives were met. He likened the BJP’s political expansion to a “single-celled amoeba” that seeks to absorb everything around it.

Attack on alliances and governance

Thackeray took a dig at the BJP’s political alliances, referring to its tie-up with AIMIM in the Akot Municipal Council as “BJP’s Love Jihad”. He also alleged that BJP leaders preached Hindutva publicly while privately acting otherwise, adding that civic elections should focus on governance rather than communal narratives.

“The issue in the Municipal Corporation is not Hindu versus Muslim. It is about administration and governance,” he said.

Expressing concern over the prevailing political environment, Thackeray described the upcoming BMC elections as being fought under “strange circumstances”, alleging a decline in Maharashtra’s political culture.

“There was a time when wrongdoing carried shame. Today, people openly flaunt it,” he remarked, claiming that the state’s tradition of civil political conduct had been severely damaged.

Marathi identity and Mumbai’s future

Reiterating his party’s stand on Mumbai’s identity, Thackeray asserted that the city’s mayor would be a Marathi person. He questioned attempts to impose Hindi and other languages on Mumbai, reacting strongly to recent remarks about linguistic dominance in certain suburbs.

“Who decides what language Ghatkopar speaks?” he asked, criticising BJP leaders for making such claims.

He also accused the current Maharashtra administration of burdening Mumbai with a debt of ₹3 lakh crore and alleged large-scale misuse of the city’s resources.

Highlighting concerns of the local population, Thackeray claimed that Marathi people were increasingly facing discrimination in their own city, including denial of housing and criticism of food habits.

“The Marathi person integrates wherever he goes. But today, others are coming into our home and trying to dominate us,” he said, alleging that political arrogance had grown due to power being concentrated in Delhi.

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Indian Army Agniveer CEE Result 2026 declared, ARO-wise merit list released

The Indian Army has announced the Agniveer CEE Result 2026. Candidates can now download the ARO-wise merit list and check their eligibility for the next stages of recruitment.

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Indian Army Agniveer Result

The Indian Army has announced the Agniveer Common Entrance Examination (CEE) Result 2026, allowing candidates to check their qualifying status through the official recruitment portal. The Army Recruitment Office (ARO)-wise merit lists have been uploaded on joinindianarmy.nic.in, where candidates can download the PDF corresponding to their recruitment region.

The merit lists contain the names and roll numbers of candidates who have successfully cleared the written examination and become eligible for the next phase of the Agniveer recruitment process.

How to check Indian Army Agniveer CEE Result 2026

Candidates can access their results by following these steps:

  • Visit the official Indian Army recruitment website.
  • Click on the Agniveer CEE Result 2026 link available on the homepage.
  • Select the relevant Army Recruitment Office (ARO) or recruitment region.
  • Download the merit list PDF.
  • Search for your roll number or name to confirm your qualification status.

What happens after the Agniveer CEE result?

Candidates shortlisted in the Common Entrance Examination will now have to undergo the remaining stages of the recruitment process. These include:

  • Physical Fitness Test (PFT)
  • Physical Measurement Test (PMT)
  • Document Verification (DV)
  • Medical Examination

Only candidates who successfully clear every stage will be considered for final selection under the Agniveer recruitment programme.

Candidates advised to verify details carefully

After downloading the merit list, candidates should carefully check all the information mentioned in the document. If they notice any discrepancy related to their result or personal details, they should immediately contact their respective Army Recruitment Office (ARO) for assistance.

Candidates are also advised to keep checking the official Indian Army recruitment portal for updates regarding the schedule, venue and instructions for the upcoming physical tests, document verification and medical examination.

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Delhi air quality slips to poor as AQI reaches 261, highest in over 85 days

Delhi’s air quality entered the ‘poor’ category after AQI touched 261, its highest level since April 17. Authorities attributed the spike to transnational dust from Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan.

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Delhi air quality

Delhi’s air quality fell into the ‘poor’ category on Sunday after the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) climbed to 261, marking its highest level in more than 85 days, according to official data.

The reading was the highest since April 17, when the AQI stood at 263. Just a day earlier, Delhi had recorded an AQI of 140, while air quality had largely remained in the ‘moderate’ and ‘satisfactory’ categories for most of the month.

Transnational dust behind spike in pollution

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) said the sudden deterioration in Delhi-NCR’s air quality was mainly caused by long-range winds carrying mineral dust generated by storm activity in Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan.

According to the commission, these dust-laden winds reached northwestern India, including Delhi, resulting in a significant rise in PM10 concentrations. Strong surface winds across the Indo-Gangetic Plain also contributed to the increase in pollution levels.

The CAQM said Delhi’s air quality is expected to remain in the ‘poor’ category for the next few days before improving once the transnational dust spell weakens.

No GRAP Stage-I restrictions for now

Despite the worsening air quality, the CAQM decided not to implement GRAP Stage-I restrictions, stating that the current pollution episode has been triggered by transnational dust rather than local emission sources.

However, the commission directed the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to intensify dust control measures across the city.

As per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), an AQI between 201 and 300 falls under the ‘poor’ category.

Delhi experiences humid weather

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the maximum temperature at Safdarjung reached 36.8 degrees Celsius, which was 1.3 degrees above normal, while the minimum temperature settled at 28.3 degrees Celsius, one degree above the seasonal average.

Although the actual maximum temperature remained below 37 degrees Celsius, high humidity pushed the feels-like temperature to 45.7 degrees Celsius by 5:30 pm.

Among other weather stations, maximum temperatures were recorded at 37 degrees Celsius at Lodhi Road, 36.6 degrees Celsius at Palam, 36.2 degrees Celsius at Ayanagar and 36 degrees Celsius at Ridge.

Minimum temperatures stood at 27.1 degrees Celsius in Palam, 27.2 degrees Celsius in Lodhi Road, 27.4 degrees Celsius in Ayanagar and 25.6 degrees Celsius at Ridge.

Weather outlook

The IMD has forecast strong surface winds during the daytime on Monday, with the maximum and minimum temperatures likely to remain around 37 degrees Celsius and 27 degrees Celsius, respectively.

Relative humidity varied between 64 per cent at 8:30 am and 52 per cent at 5:30 pm.

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Red Fort bomb threat declared hoax after extensive security checks in Delhi

Delhi Police declared a bomb threat targeting the Red Fort a hoax after conducting a detailed security search following an alert received from Mumbai Police.

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Red fort

Delhi’s iconic Red Fort witnessed heightened security on Saturday after authorities received a bomb threat targeting the historic monument. Following a detailed inspection and sanitisation drive, Delhi Police confirmed that the threat was a hoax and no explosives were found.

Threat call routed through Mumbai Police

According to officials, the threat was initially received by the Mumbai Police Control Room. The caller allegedly claimed that the Red Fort would be blown up.

Mumbai Police immediately shared the information with the Delhi Police Control Room, which alerted the North District Police. Security personnel were deployed at the monument, and a comprehensive search operation was launched to ensure public safety.

After completing the inspection, officials ruled out any security risk and declared the threat to be false.

Security concerns remain high after previous terror incident

The latest threat comes around eight months after a deadly vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (IED) blast near the Red Fort Metro Station claimed 15 lives and left several others injured.

Investigators had alleged that the blast was carried out by Umar-un-Nabi, a Kashmiri doctor associated with Al-Falah University in Faridabad, who was driving a Hyundai i20. The explosion occurred on the same day security agencies recovered around 2,900 kg of explosives, including ammonium nitrate, from neighbouring Faridabad in Haryana.

According to investigators, the accused allegedly triggered the explosion after two suspected associates were arrested and the explosives were seized during the operation.

Authorities had identified several other accused linked to the case. Investigators alleged that the group was part of a white-collar terror module associated with Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind, an al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist organisation.

Earlier arrests linked to alleged attack plots

In May, Delhi Police’s Special Cell arrested nine men who were allegedly linked to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim.

Police alleged that the accused were planning attacks on critical infrastructure and security personnel in Delhi, Mumbai and other parts of the country. According to investigators, potential targets included airports, railway stations, power plants and other vital installations.

Although Saturday’s bomb threat was found to be fake, the incident once again prompted swift security measures at one of the country’s most significant heritage sites.

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