Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has approved the formation of dedicated committees within the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) and the Mumbai Regional Congress Committee to spearhead negotiations with the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) partners.

Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi's recent comment 'Mera Baap Gaddar Hai' targeting Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde and his son Shrikant Shinde during a campaign event for Shiv Sena (UBT) nominee Sanjay D. Patil in Ghatkopar on Wednesday has sparked controversy, with the rival Shiv Sena criticising her for the remarks.

In a letter written to Shah on Friday, Chaturvedi referred to the murder of local Sena (UBT) leader Abhishek Ghosalkar on Thursday, and an incident earlier this month in neighbouring Thane district where a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA opened fire inside a police station.