Shailesh Gaikwad
Shailesh Gaikwad is senior associate editor, Hindustan Times. He heads the political bureau in HT’s Mumbai edition. In his career of over 18 years, he has covered Maharashtra politics, state government and urban governance issues.
Articles by Shailesh Gaikwad
Dhananjay Munde suffers setback as his upward surge halted by controversy
By Shailesh Gaikwad, Mumbai
PUBLISHED ON JAN 16, 2021 12:02 AM IST
Dhananjay Munde’s rise in state politics has been impressive since 2014
Detractors in Congress denied Sharad Pawar PM post twice: Praful Patel
UPDATED ON DEC 13, 2020 12:06 AM IST
On Sharad Pawar’s 80th birthday, NCP leader Praful Patel makes the revelation in an article in Shiv Sena mouthpiece; Congress mum on allegations
Pawar’s detractors in Congress conspired twice to deny him PM’s chair: Patel
By Shailesh Gaikwad | Hindustan Times, Mumbai
UPDATED ON DEC 12, 2020 05:26 PM IST
Pawar’s long time political associate Praful Patel has mentioned instances when he thought Sharad Pawar could have become the Prime Minister of India had it not been for some detractors in the Congress party.
MVA government completes a year: More challenges ahead for Shiv Sena-Congress-NCP in Maharashtra
By Shailesh Gaikwad, Mumbai
UPDATED ON NOV 27, 2020 12:45 AM IST
One year later, Uddhav Thackeray has shown that he has the acumen to handle a complex coalition of three parties, even though the uncertainty still exists.
A year on, Maharashtra election results that caused drama; political uncertainty continues
PUBLISHED ON OCT 25, 2020 12:44 AM IST
Maharashtra leader Eknath Khadse quits: NCP’s gain, but is it BJP’s loss?
By Shailesh Gaikwad | Hindustan Times, Mumbai, Mumbai
UPDATED ON OCT 22, 2020 06:21 AM IST
Eknath Khadse, who comes from Jalgaon district of north Maharashtra, was one of the prominent leaders of the BJP in the state.
Row between Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari and CM Uddhav Thackeray may not end soon
By Shailesh Gaikwad | Hindustan Times, Mumbai
UPDATED ON OCT 14, 2020 04:02 AM IST
The uneasy relations between governor Koshyari, a former BJP leader and ex-CM of Uttarakhand, started with the formation of the MVA government in November 2019.
Uddhav Thackeray, Ajit Pawar meet as Shiv Sena, NCP work on an alliance plan for future elections
By Shailesh Gaikwad, Mumbai
PUBLISHED ON JUL 24, 2020 12:11 AM IST
Sena-NCP working on electoral alliance, Uddhav Thackeray-Ajit Pawar hold meeting
By Shailesh Gaikwad | Hindustan Times, Mumbai
UPDATED ON JUL 24, 2020 08:42 AM IST
According to people familiar with the developments, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, who heads the Sena, and deputy CM Ajit Pawar, who is a key NCP leader, held a closed-door meeting on Wednesday to discuss the future alliance plan.
Can Pawar-Thackeray tide over this crisis too?
By Shailesh Gaikwad, Mumbai
PUBLISHED ON MAY 27, 2020 11:44 PM IST
Maharashtra constitutional crisis nearing end?
By Shailesh Gaikwad and Swapnil Rawal
PUBLISHED ON APR 30, 2020 11:54 PM IST
Maha guv asks EC to hold polls to 9 seats
By Shailesh Gaikwad | Hindustan Times, Mumbai
UPDATED ON MAY 01, 2020 12:11 AM IST
The impending constitutional crisis in Maharashtra may be resolved if the EC accepts Koshyari and MVA’s request. It also means Koshyari is not keen to nominate Thackeray on the council as his nominee despite a recommendation from the state cabinet and a reminder that he do so.
Uddhav warns against politics amid crisis as decision on his fate is awaited
By Shailesh Gaikwad | Hindustan Times, Mumbai
UPDATED ON APR 26, 2020 11:55 PM IST
Uddhav Thackeray must become a member of the state legislature before May 28 or else he risks losing his position as the Maharashtra CM.
MVA, BJP tussle over legislature seat for Uddhav Thackeray
By Shailesh Gaikwad, Mumbai
UPDATED ON APR 26, 2020 11:45 PM IST
Highlights of 100 days of Thackeray-led govt
By Shailesh Gaikwad | Hindustan Times, Mumbai
UPDATED ON MAR 03, 2020 12:20 AM IST
The three parties coming together to form the government was unexpected in Maharashtra politics
Why Thackeray’s stand on Hindutva won’t be a problem
UPDATED ON FEB 25, 2020 12:45 AM IST
Just when it looked like the moment that would mark the beginning of trouble in the MVA government, Thackeray seemed to have taken a step back following consultations with NCP chief Sharad Pawar
Elgaar Parishad probe, NPR and MVA government’s state of confusion
By Shailesh Gaikwad | Hindustan Times
UPDATED ON FEB 18, 2020 12:44 AM IST
The three partners in the ruling coalition are not on the same page when it comes to two issues that are haunting them: Probe into Bhima-Koregaon violence/Elgar Parishad case and CAA, NRC-NPR tangle
BJP versus MVA tussle could intensify
By Shailesh Gaikwad | Hindustan Times
UPDATED ON FEB 04, 2020 12:22 AM IST
If there were any speculations that the three-party Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi government would collapse with the Shiv Sena resuming ties with its estranged ally the BJP, or the NCP improving its relations with the BJP, they seem to be out of questions as of now
The Thackeray brothers and their changing stance
UPDATED ON JAN 28, 2020 01:08 AM IST
Raj Thackeray’s shift to hindutva agenda comes at a time when his cousin Uddhav is in the process of adopting a moderate agenda
MVA allies and their endless controversies
By Shailesh Gaikwad | Hindustan Times
UPDATED ON JAN 21, 2020 12:22 AM IST
During the MVA government’s tenure so far, what is clearly visible is that the three parties are not on the same page over various issues
Amid speculations over BJP-MNS friendship, Raj Thackeray’s search for a new pitch
By Shailesh Gaikwad | Hindustan Times
UPDATED ON JAN 14, 2020 01:01 AM IST
A meeting between former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray amid speculations over the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and MNS coming together has become a talking point over the past few days
Pawar and the art of negotiation
By Shailesh Gaikwad | Hindustan Times
UPDATED ON JAN 07, 2020 01:34 AM IST
As expected, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) managed to get key portfolios in the Maharashtra Cabinet, and will significantly influence the functioning of the state government
Ajit flexes muscles in NCP, Congress tries to maintain balance of power
By Shailesh Gaikwad | Hindustan Times
UPDATED ON DEC 31, 2019 12:34 AM IST
As expected, Ajit Pawar is back at the helm
Pawar-Thackeray synergy key to survival of MVA govt in Maharashtra
By Shailesh Gaikwad | Hindustan Times
UPDATED ON DEC 24, 2019 01:40 AM IST
The three-party government in Maharashtra could be formed because heads of two political parties — Pawar and Thackeray— came together out of their political compulsion
Fadnavis and the rumblings within Maharashtra BJP
UPDATED ON DEC 16, 2019 11:54 PM IST
Last week saw something that the BJP in Maharashtra had not witnessed in a long time: Two senior party leaders openly expressing their unhappiness with the state of the affairs in the party.
Are we going to witness Uddhav Thackeray 2.0?
By Shailesh Gaikwad | Hindustan Times
PUBLISHED ON DEC 10, 2019 01:18 AM IST
It could be too early to say this, but it appears now that Thackeray wants his government to deliver. He wants to deliver results
Uddhav Thackeray’s five-year challenge
By Shailesh Gaikwad | Hindustan Times
UPDATED ON DEC 03, 2019 12:55 AM IST
There are a few factors that would decide not just the survival, but even the success of the Maharashtra government
Uddhav’s biggest challenges are in-house. Explained in 4 points | Opinion
By Shailesh Gaikwad | Hindustan Times, Mumbai
UPDATED ON JUL 31, 2020 07:18 PM IST
As he starts his tenure, challenges are staring at Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.
The big 5 who will help run Maharashthra CM Uddhav Thackeray’s show
By Shailesh Gaikwad | Hindustan Times, Mumbai
UPDATED ON DEC 01, 2019 07:59 AM IST
The team which will be assisting Uddhav Thackeray include two key Sena leaders, Subhash Desai and Eknath Shinde; party youth wing chief Aaditya Thackeray; party MP Sanjay Raut; and his secretary, Milind Narvekar.
3-party coalition: New chapter in state’s history
PUBLISHED ON NOV 29, 2019 01:08 AM IST
