Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray stated on Friday that the MVA should choose its chief ministerial candidate before the assembly elections, emphasising his support for any candidate named by Congress or NCP (SP), and framing the polls as crucial for preserving Maharashtra's self-respect.

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday accused Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde of "bowing" before Delhi, and said the coming assembly elections are a fight against those who "hate" the state.

Shinde welcomed Birje into the Sena fold at a function attended by several workers of the party, mainly women.

In recent events, political tensions in Maharashtra have taken a heated turn with an attack on the convoy of Uddhav Thackeray, the Shiv Sena (UBT) chief. This incident has stirred significant controversy and has led to sharp criticisms from various political leaders.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut has stressed the need for the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) to nominate a chief ministerial candidate for the Maharashtra assembly elections, following party president Uddhav Thackeray's meetings with top Congress leaders.

There are 12 contenders vying for the 11 seats. The voting is scheduled from 9 am to 4 pm, but Shiv Sena (UBT) has requested an extension by an hour due to heavy rainfall in Mumbai.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has backed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's recent remarks in Parliament, which have stirred significant political controversy. Raut emphasised that the INDIA bloc, which includes the Shiv Sena (UBT), does not support what he termed the "fake Hindutva" promoted by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Shiv Sena (UBT) emerged victorious in both the Mumbai Graduates and Mumbai Teachers constituencies, while BJP secured the Konkan Graduates seat in the Maharashtra Legislative Council polls. Anil Parab of Shiv Sena won Mumbai Graduates with 44,784 votes, defeating BJP's Kiran Shelar, while Niranjan Davkhare of BJP clinched Konkan Graduates with 1,00,719 votes, and JM Abhyankar won the Mumbai Teachers seat for Shiv Sena (UBT).

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Sunday said all partners of the opposition INDIA bloc will try to ensure support for the ruling ally Telugu Desam Party (TDP) if it fields a candidate for the Lok Sabha speaker's election.

MP Arvind Sawant from Mumbai South, accused the central government of hindering the launch of 4G/5G services by state-run telecom companies MTNL and BSNL, resulting in significant customer loss.

"A lot of complaints from voters about the facilities outside the booths @ECISVEEP. At least having the voter lines in shade/fans could help. They don't want much, just basics to stay cool. Please look into it," Thackeray posted on X.

Talking to reporters, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut claimed that NCP leaders like Ajit Pawar, Dilip Walse Patil and Sunil Tatkare had opposed Shinde's name for the CM's post saying they will not work under a junior and inexperienced person like him.