Shailesh Gaikwad is political editor and heads the political bureau in Hindustan Times' Mumbai edition.In his career of over 20 years, he has covered Maharashtra politics, state government and urban governance issues.
Articles by Shailesh Gaikwad
No end to Ajit vs Sena tussle
The ongoing conflict between Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena escalates over fund allocation, while Fadnavis finally moves to the CM's official residence.
Published on May 05, 2025 06:36 AM IST
Fadnavis’s go-to-man for every emergency
Deputy CM Eknath Shinde's Kashmir visit for tourist evacuation followed the Pahalgam attack, while Minister Girish Mahajan handles coordination quietly.
Updated on Apr 28, 2025 05:54 AM IST
Wrestler behind MVA rift may switch to Shinde Sena
Patil reportedly met Shinde at Kudal in Sindhudurg district when the latter was there for a party function on Thursday
Published on Apr 27, 2025 07:14 AM IST
‘Vadhavan, data hub will help boost MMR’s growth’
Praveen Pardeshi threw light on key sectors, automobile and software development, that generate revenue and employment; and also the growth in artificial intelligence
Published on Apr 26, 2025 09:52 AM IST
What next for Thackerays?
Both the Thackeray cousins are testing the waters and watching the reactions. Party leaders have been asked to keep a close eye on social media posts
Updated on Apr 21, 2025 09:04 AM IST
Thackeray cousins spark reunion buzz: Who would be the leader?
Uddhav and Raj Thackeray hint at political reconciliation despite past rivalries, amid debates on Marathi pride and upcoming civic polls.
Published on Apr 20, 2025 07:44 AM IST
Thackeray cousins spark reunion buzz: Who will be the leader?
The cousins – who were both once key leaders of the Shiv Sena – have been bitter rivals for three decades
Updated on Apr 20, 2025 10:07 AM IST
New authority in Mahayuti govt
Retired IAS Praveen Pardeshi's appointment as CM's chief economic advisor stirs controversy over his extensive powers, alarming senior officials in Mantralaya.
Published on Apr 14, 2025 06:54 AM IST
Fadnavis and Shinde: Truce or ceasefire?
Shiv Sena ministers are relieved as CM Fadnavis and Dy CM Shinde show signs of truce, easing decision-making tensions in the government.
Published on Apr 07, 2025 06:22 AM IST
Case closed but politics continues
Shiv Sena faces backlash over Disha Salian case; CBI's closure report on Sushant Singh Rajput's death complicates matters, causing political tensions.
Published on Mar 31, 2025 08:04 AM IST
Lacklustre fight from MVA
Opposition parties in Maharashtra struggle to unite against the government post-election defeat, while ruling parties face internal conflicts and scrutiny over corruption.
Published on Mar 24, 2025 08:12 AM IST
All eyes on Jayant Patil
NCP chief Jayant Patil faces speculation about joining BJP, expressing frustration over media pressure and political uncertainty amid party challenges.
Published on Mar 17, 2025 07:24 AM IST
Ceasefire between CM Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde?
Fadnavis and Shinde's cold war raises questions on potential ceasefire as political tensions escalate in Maharashtra with recent controversies and resignations.
Published on Mar 10, 2025 03:58 AM IST
Did Ajit Pawar mishandle the issue of Munde’s resignation?
Food and civil supplies minister Dhananjay Munde was asked to resign amid pressure following his aide's involvement in a murder, straining NCP's alliances.
Published on Mar 05, 2025 07:24 AM IST
A veiled threat and unease in the ruling camp
Meanwhile, a businessman friend of a top politician, whose name was frequently taken in the corridors of power in the past couple of years, seems to be under watch. Apparently, he also got a knock on his doors by friends from a central agency some time ago
Published on Feb 24, 2025 07:50 AM IST
‘BJP has damaged the state’s social fabric for political gains. We will counter that’
Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal vows to rebuild the party, tackle BJP's divide-and-rule tactics, and focus on farmers' issues.
Published on Feb 20, 2025 07:14 AM IST
Killing two birds with a stone
Eknath Shinde inducts two former MLAs in Ratnagiri, aiming to weaken Thackeray and curtail Uday Samant's influence, amid rising political tensions.
Published on Feb 17, 2025 07:36 AM IST
Rising concerns in Sena (UBT) as defections pick up
As former MLAs Rajan Salvi and Subhash Bane jump ship, the Sena (UBT)’s lone MLA in the Konkan, Bhaskar Jadhav, warns that the party is in urgent need of revival
Published on Feb 16, 2025 08:00 AM IST
BJP state chief asks Dhas, Munde to bury the hatchet
Now, Bawankule had Dhas and Munde meet a fortnight ago at his Mumbai residence for a reconciliation. The four-and-a-half hour long meeting was kept under wraps but revealed on Friday by both Dhas and Bawankule separately when each spoke to the press in Nanded
Published on Feb 15, 2025 08:32 AM IST
Rajan Salvi joins Shinde Sena: Is operation Tiger in full swing?
To contain the damage, Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray had a closed-door meeting with party MPs, in which they were advised to steer clear of rival party leaders
Published on Feb 14, 2025 08:14 AM IST
Aaditya meets INDIA bloc leaders, avoids Sharad Pawar
Thackeray’s trip is seen as an attempt to reach out to the leaders of the INDIA coalition as his party is wary of Pawar’s moves. Thackeray also raised questions about the results of the Delhi and Maharashtra assembly elections, which the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) swept with landslide wins
Published on Feb 14, 2025 07:56 AM IST
Aaditya Thackeray meets Kejriwal in Delhi, assures unity in INDIA bloc alliance
Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs Arvind Sawant and Priyanka Chaturvedi and AAP MP Sanjay Singh were present with Thackeray during the meeting with Kejriwal
Updated on Feb 13, 2025 03:43 PM IST
‘Felicitated a traitor’: Sena (UBT) objects to Pawar’s praise of Shinde
Maharashtra's MVA faces tensions as Shiv Sena (UBT) criticizes NCP chief Sharad Pawar for honoring Eknath Shinde, calling him a "traitor."
Published on Feb 13, 2025 03:00 AM IST
Unfortunate, says Thackeray’s party on Sharad Pawar’s praise for Eknath Shinde
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said Sharad Pawar should not have felicitated a “traitor” such as Eknath Shinde who split the Sena
Published on Feb 12, 2025 02:42 PM IST
The cold war intensifying?
Maharashtra's political scene heats up as CM Fadnavis surprises Shiv Sena by appointing Sanjay Sethi as MSRTC chairman amid financial woes and power struggles.
Published on Feb 10, 2025 05:34 AM IST
BJP to check Eknath Shinde on home turf of Thane
BJP's Ganesh Naik to hold Janata Darbar in Thane, challenging Shiv Sena's Eknath Shinde, intensifying political rivalry amid alliance tensions.
Updated on Jan 30, 2025 09:02 AM IST
Disgruntled Bhujbal in Ajit Parv
Chhagan Bhujbal's attack on Ajit Pawar highlights internal NCP tensions, with Bhujbal criticizing party leadership and expressing discontent over his exclusion.
Updated on Jan 20, 2025 09:32 AM IST
Disturbed allies of BJP
Maharashtra's Mahayuti government faces turmoil as NCP's Ajit Pawar is pressured to dismiss Dhananjay Munde over a murder case, causing political tensions.
Updated on Jan 13, 2025 10:14 AM IST
Beed murder and Maratha mobilisation
Three rallies for justice in the Santosh Deshmukh murder case reflect Maratha community tensions, with political implications for the ruling Mahayuti alliance
Updated on Jan 06, 2025 09:00 AM IST
Dhananjay Munde: From asset to liability for NCP
NCP leader Dhananjay Munde faces allegations linked to a sarpanch's murder, stirring political turmoil in Beed and challenging his position in the party.
Updated on Dec 30, 2024 08:15 AM IST