Devendra Fadnavis

News India Xtra@newsIndiaxtra

Sanjay Raut of Shiv Sena (UBT) says 20 to 22 MLAs from Sunetra Pawar's NCP could break away before the next elections, either returning to Sharad Pawar's faction or joining other parties.

He says these legislators feel sidelined since Ajit Pawar's death. A return to Sharad Pawar's camp would be a homecoming, not a formal merger.

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis says any merger must be discussed with the BJP first, a condition Raut says does not apply to Sharad Pawar's party. Sunetra Pawar has neither confirmed nor denied the talks.

News India Xtra@newsIndiaxtra

Thousands marched in Kolhapur on Monday against the state's decision to appoint directors to the Gokul Milk Cooperative.

The row stems from a board election where Satej Patil's panel won 13 of 25 seats to the BJP's 12. After four directors were given voting rights, the BJP's tally rose to 16, which Congress says came from post-election rule changes.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis defends the move, saying neither side has enough votes for a quorum to choose a chairman. If the chairman vote fails three times, powers would go to the District Deputy Registrar.