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(PHOTO) Harry and Meghan Share Tender Photos as Princess Lilibet Turns 5 in Montecito
MONTECITO, Calif. — The Duke and Duchess of Sussex marked a family milestone Thursday as their daughter, Princess Lilibet, celebrated her fifth birthday with newly released photographs and a heartfelt message from her mother.
In a post on Instagram, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, shared two images of Lilibet, born Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor on June 4, 2021, at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital. One photo shows Prince Harry embracing the young princess while Meghan smiles beside them. The second captures Lilibet in a garden setting, her hand gently touching a flower amid lush greenery.
“Our dream girl. Happy 5th birthday, Lili,” Meghan wrote in the caption, using the family nickname for her daughter.
Lilibet, the couple’s second child, follows her brother Prince Archie, who is two years older. The family has lived a relatively private life in Montecito since stepping back from senior royal duties in 2020. Public glimpses of the children remain rare, with the parents often choosing to obscure faces or limit visibility to protect their privacy.
Recent Family Moments
The birthday tribute follows other recent posts highlighting family life. Meghan previously referred to Lilibet as “Mama’s little helper” in a post showing the pair in what appeared to be a walk-in wardrobe. These glimpses offer fans occasional insight into the children’s personalities while maintaining boundaries.
Just two weeks earlier, the couple marked their eighth wedding anniversary with photographs from their 2018 ceremony at Windsor Castle. The anniversary post reflected on their journey from royal life to independent endeavors in California.
Projects and Public Activities
Professionally, Prince Harry and Meghan have remained active through their Archewell organization. In May 2026, Archewell announced development of a feature film for Netflix based on the book “No Way Out: The Searing True Story of Men Under Siege” by British Army Major Adam Jowett. The project, written by Oscar-nominated screenwriter Matt Charman, recounts a 2006 battle in Afghanistan involving British troops.
The film represents part of a first-look deal with Netflix following the end of their broader production agreement last year. Archewell continues to focus on storytelling that highlights service, resilience and social issues.
In April, Harry and Meghan traveled privately to Australia’s east coast. Their four-day visit emphasized Indigenous culture, sports, charitable causes and a stop at the Australian War Memorial. The trip underscored Harry’s longstanding connection to military communities, shaped by his own service in the British Army.
Life After Royal Duties
Since relocating to California, the Sussexes have built a life centered on family, media projects and philanthropic work. Their children have grown up largely away from the intense scrutiny that defined Harry’s own upbringing. Lilibet’s fifth birthday arrives as the family settles into routines balancing public interests with private moments.
Friends and observers note the couple’s emphasis on creating a nurturing environment. Meghan has spoken in past interviews about the joys and challenges of motherhood, while Harry has highlighted the importance of breaking cycles of generational pain. The birthday photos convey warmth and normalcy amid their high-profile existence.
Lilibet’s name carries royal significance, honoring her great-grandmother Queen Elizabeth II, who used “Lilibet” as a childhood nickname. The addition of Diana pays tribute to Harry’s late mother. Despite their distance from the British royal family, these naming choices reflect enduring connections to heritage.
Balancing Privacy and Public Life
The decision to share select images of Lilibet illustrates the couple’s ongoing navigation of privacy. Meghan has faced criticism and scrutiny over social media use, yet she continues selective posting to mark significant occasions. Supporters view these moments as genuine expressions of parental pride, while critics sometimes question authenticity or timing.
As Lilibet reaches school age, expectations around public appearances may evolve. For now, the family appears focused on providing stability in their California home, surrounded by gardens and open spaces that feature prominently in recent photographs.
Broader Context
The birthday comes during a period of relative calm for the Sussexes after years of high-profile interviews, books and documentaries. Their Netflix deal shift and selective projects suggest a more measured approach to content creation. Archewell’s focus on impactful storytelling, including the Afghanistan film, aligns with Harry’s advocacy for veterans and service members.
Public interest in the children remains strong, with fans celebrating milestones online. The latest images sparked widespread warm responses, reflecting continued global fascination with the family even years after their departure from royal roles.
As summer begins in California, Lilibet’s fifth year promises new adventures alongside her brother. The family’s ability to shield the children while occasionally sharing joy has become a defining aspect of their post-royal chapter.
Harry and Meghan’s journey from Buckingham Palace to Montecito hills has been marked by challenges and growth. On this birthday, the emphasis remains on family bonds and simple pleasures — a garden flower, a parental embrace and a young girl turning five.
NEW YORK — GameStop Corp. shares rose sharply Thursday after the video game retailer posted its highest-ever quarterly net income and announced a substantial new share repurchase program, signaling continued efforts to return capital to shareholders amid a strategic shift toward higher-margin products.
The stock climbed more than 6% in the previous session to close at $22.18 after the company reported fiscal first-quarter results that exceeded expectations on several fronts. By mid-morning trading on June 4, shares were hovering near $22.55, reflecting sustained investor interest following the earnings release.
For the quarter ended May 2, GameStop reported net sales of $835.3 million, a 14% increase from $732.4 million in the prior-year period. The growth was driven largely by collectibles, which accounted for nearly 42% of revenue at $348.9 million, up significantly from the previous year.
Operating income reached a record $143.3 million for the first quarter, compared with an operating loss of $10.8 million a year earlier. Adjusted operating income, excluding certain items, stood at $140.5 million.
Net income surged to $389.6 million, or 66 cents per share, from $44.8 million, or 9 cents per share, in the year-ago quarter. The figure included one-time gains such as a $268.4 million unrealized gain on derivatives tied to eBay stock holdings and interest income. Excluding those and other adjustments, net income was $179.3 million.
The company’s board approved a new $2 billion discretionary share repurchase authorization, effective through June 2029. This replaces a prior program and underscores management’s confidence in the balance sheet, which showed $9.7 billion in cash, marketable securities, digital assets and related items at quarter-end.
Strategic Evolution Under Cohen
Chairman and CEO Ryan Cohen has steered GameStop toward diversification beyond traditional video game hardware and software sales. Collectibles, including trading cards, apparel, toys and pop culture merchandise, have become a key growth driver as the company reduces reliance on lower-margin categories.
Hardware and accessories sales declined modestly to $333.7 million from $345.3 million, while software revenue fell to $152.7 million from $175.6 million. Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased to $201.6 million, reflecting ongoing cost discipline.
The results come as GameStop continues to navigate a challenging retail environment for physical video game sales amid the broader industry shift to digital downloads. The company has closed stores in recent periods while investing in e-commerce and alternative revenue streams.
GameStop has also been active on the corporate development front. It has built a stake in eBay, recently increasing its position, and made an unsolicited $56 billion takeover proposal that eBay rejected as “neither credible nor attractive.” Cohen has publicly criticized eBay’s leadership and indicated potential further steps.
Market Reaction and Meme Stock Legacy
The earnings beat and buyback news triggered positive momentum in a stock known for its volatile trading history tied to retail investor enthusiasm. GameStop remains a favorite among meme stock communities, though its price action has moderated compared to the dramatic surges seen in 2021.
Year-to-date through early June 2026, the shares have shown resilience relative to some other speculative names, with gains supported by balance sheet strength and capital return initiatives. The stock trades well below its 52-week high near $31 but above its low around $19.93.
Analysts and market observers note the company’s strong liquidity position provides flexibility for buybacks, potential investments or other shareholder-friendly actions. The $2 billion authorization represents a significant commitment relative to the current market capitalization of approximately $9.4 billion to $10 billion.
Broader Retail Challenges
Despite the positive quarter, GameStop faces ongoing pressures in the video game retail sector. Industry-wide trends favor digital distribution, pressuring physical store footprints. The company has been trimming locations while attempting to transform stores into experiential destinations for gaming and collectibles enthusiasts.
Gross profit improved to $340 million from $252 million a year ago, aided by the higher-margin collectibles mix. Management has emphasized operational efficiency and inventory management as priorities.
Looking ahead, the company did not provide specific forward guidance in its release, consistent with past practice. Investors will watch for updates on store optimization, e-commerce growth and any developments regarding the eBay position or other strategic moves.
The upcoming fiscal second quarter will be closely monitored for seasonal strength around summer releases and back-to-school periods. Holiday performance remains critical for the full-year outlook in this cyclical business.
Investor Sentiment and Risks
Retail investors continue to track GameStop closely, with message boards and social platforms buzzing after the earnings. The combination of record profits, massive cash reserves and aggressive capital allocation has renewed optimism among long-term holders.
However, risks persist. Short interest, while lower than peak levels from previous years, remains a factor in volatility. Broader economic conditions, consumer spending on discretionary items and competition from online giants could influence results.
Wall Street consensus ratings have generally been cautious, with many analysts citing valuation concerns and secular industry headwinds even as recent results demonstrate progress under the current leadership.
GameStop’s market capitalization stood near $9.4 billion following the latest close, with roughly 448 million shares outstanding. The price-to-earnings ratio on trailing adjusted figures reflects improved profitability but still embeds expectations for sustained execution.
As the company evolves from a traditional brick-and-mortar retailer into a more diversified player in gaming and collectibles, its ability to deliver consistent results will determine whether the current momentum can be maintained. The $2 billion buyback provides a floor of support while management pursues longer-term transformation.
Trading volume on Wednesday was elevated at over 17 million shares, well above average, as investors digested the news. Continued follow-through will depend on broader market sentiment and any incremental updates from the company in coming weeks.
The woman’s case in California state court is the latest to allege workplace bias in Silicon Valley that focuses on cultural prejudices of some tech workers from South Asia. Cisco Systems Inc. is fighting a suit brought by California’s civil rights agency alleging bias against a member of India’s so-called lower castes, known as Dalits.
Anita Nariani Schulze is part of the Sindhi minority — she is Hindu, with ancestry in the Sindh region of what is now Pakistan. Her complaint alleges that her senior and direct managers, both male, consistently excluded her from meetings while inviting her male counterparts, criticized her, micromanaged her work, and deprived her of bonuses, despite positive performance evaluations and significant team contributions.
Schulze claims the managers’ animus reflects sexism, racism, religious bias and discrimination on the basis of national origin. The Sindhi Hindu nationality is “known for its technical acumen” and its gender equality, she says, which “exacerbated the managers’ discriminatory treatment.”
In a tentative ruling on Wednesday, Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Sunil R. Kulkarni rejected Apple’s request to toss out the suit. While not ruling on the merits of the case, Kulkarni said Schulze had adequately supported her legal claims. Apple had argued her claims weren’t specific enough and were based on stereotypes.
But the judge rejected Schulze’s request to represent a class of female Apple employees who suffered job discrimination over the last four years. He agreed with Apple that she didn’t show a pattern of discrimination that could be applied to a broader group.
It wasn’t clear from the court’s docket whether the judge will hold a hearing Thursday before issuing a final ruling.
Apple didn’t immediately reply to a request for comment.
In the Cisco case, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing alleged that two Indian employees at the San Jose-based company discriminated against a Dalit co-worker on the basis of caste.
Cisco has denied the claims, insisting it has “zero tolerance for discrimination.” It also said the lawsuit should be tossed out because caste isn’t a protected category under U.S. civil rights law.
Foreign investors must secure ACRA name approval, determine paid-up capital, adopt a company constitution, and consider trademarks and operational requirements for establishing a company in Singapore.
Core Requirements for Foreign Investors Setting Up in Singapore
Foreign investors looking to establish a company in Singapore need to meet three key requirements before proceeding with registration. These include obtaining approval for the company name from the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA), deciding on an appropriate paid-up capital structure, and adopting a company constitution that aligns with ownership and operational goals. Each step ensures compliance with Singapore’s legal and regulatory framework, facilitating smooth company registration and operation.
Importance of Name Approval and Industry Regulations
ACRA reviews proposed company names to ensure they are not identical, similar, misleading, or offensive. Names associated with regulated sectors like banking, finance, or media may require additional approval, potentially extending processing times from hours to weeks. Once approved, the name can be reserved for 120 days, giving investors time to finalize their business plans within the reserved period.
Trademark and Operational Considerations for Foreign Businesses
For foreign brands expanding to Singapore, aligning trademarks with the company name is critical. Even after ACRA approval, conflicts with existing trademarks could lead to legal issues. Assessing whether to replicate the overseas brand, operate as a holding entity, or establish a distinct commercial identity helps avoid potential commercial or legal complications and ensures operational compatibility with licensing and market needs.
Read the original article : How Foreign Investors Should Structure Company Formation in Singapore
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Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (VKTX) Presents at Jefferies Global Healthcare Conference 2026 Transcript
Jiale Song
Jefferies LLC, Research Division
All right. Welcome, everyone, to Jefferies’ 2026 Global Healthcare Conference. My name is Roger Song, senior analyst covering SMID cap biotech. It is my pleasure to have the fireside chat with our next company, Viking Therapeutics. We have the full group here, but welcome, gentlemen, and then Brian.
And yes, maybe, Brian, why don’t you start with some company overview and the state of hour for Viking? You have a lot going on in the coming months and years. So let’s start with that.
Brian Lian
President, CEO & Director
Yes, yes, sure. Sure. Thanks, Roger. Thanks to Jefferies for the invitation. Really appreciate it. We’ve got a great schedule. And I’m joined here by Greg Zante, our Chief Financial Officer; and Neil Aubuchon, our Chief Commercial Officer, as well.
A lot going on at Viking, it’s a busy year. We have — our obesity program is in Phase III development. We have 2 Phase III trials ongoing called VANQUISH-1 and VANQUISH-2. VANQUISH-1 is in obese patients, VANQUISH-2 is in obese patients with type 2 diabetes, both studies fully enrolled. And moving forward, we’re expecting to read out the data — right now, second half ’27 seems like the time frame for those studies.
We also have an oral formulation of the same compound in Phase II. It showed a very nice weight loss trajectory, and we will be moving into 2 Phase III trials later this year with the oral tablet formulation. And that would represent, we think, the first — if it’s successful, the
The White House late Tuesday announced a proposal to hit 60 economies with import taxes of at least 10%, following a so-called Section 301 investigation into how trade partners handle goods allegedly produced by forced labor. That’s caused uncertainty for some trading partners including the EU, which hammered out an agreement on tariffs almost a year ago in Turnberry, Scotland.
“We understand that a deal is a deal,” Jamieson Greer, the US trade representative, told reporters Thursday at the OECD in Paris when asked about the EU agreement. “We want to make sure that we are able to resolve the trading practices that are identified as problematic in our investigations and we’re going to take into account the Turnberry deal, of course.”
He added, “we believe that there’s room to accommodate that deal within the context of what we’re doing, provided that the European Union delivers on the Turnberry deal.”
The EU and US agreed to a free-trade deal in July that would see the bloc erase levies on US industrial goods in exchange for a 15% tariff ceiling on its exports. Trump has threatened to raise tariffs on European cars to 25% if the deal isn’t ratified by July 4.
The EU’s trade chief, Maros Sefcovic, repeated Greer’s language that a deal is a deal.
NEW YORK — At just 19 years old, Mirra Andreeva has already established herself as one of the brightest stars in women’s tennis, blending raw talent with remarkable composure on the biggest stages. The Russian, ranked No. 8 in the world as of early June 2026, continues to turn heads with consistent deep runs at Grand Slams and WTA titles.
Born on April 29, 2007, in Krasnoyarsk, Siberia, Andreeva moved with her family to Sochi for better training opportunities before settling in Cannes, France. Her rapid ascent has drawn comparisons to past teen phenoms, though she stands out for her maturity and all-court game.
Here are 10 essential things to know about the rising champion:
1. Prodigious Early Success Andreeva turned professional in 2022 and quickly made her mark. By 2026, she has secured five WTA singles titles, including two prestigious WTA 1000 events in 2025 at Indian Wells and Dubai. In 2026, she added titles in Adelaide and Linz, showcasing her ability to perform under pressure.
2. Impressive 2026 Season Entering June, Andreeva boasts a strong 29-9 record for the year with over $2.1 million in prize money. She reached the final in Madrid and has been a consistent quarterfinalist or better at major events, including her third consecutive quarterfinal appearance at Roland Garros.
3. Grand Slam Breakthroughs Her best major result came at the 2026 French Open, where she advanced to the final at age 19. She has reached the fourth round at the Australian Open multiple times and the quarterfinals at Wimbledon. These performances highlight her clay-court prowess and growing grass-court comfort.
4. Family Tennis Legacy Tennis runs in the family. Her older sister, Erika Andreeva, is also a professional player. Their parents, Raisa and Alexander, supported the sisters’ careers by relocating for elite coaching, fostering a supportive environment that has fueled Mirra’s development.
5. Coaching Excellence Since mid-2024, Andreeva has been guided by Conchita Martínez, the 1994 Wimbledon champion. The partnership has elevated her tactical awareness and mental strength, contributing to her steady climb up the rankings.
6. Physical and Technical Strengths Standing 5-foot-9 (1.75 meters), Andreeva plays right-handed with a two-handed backhand. Her game features powerful baseline rallying, excellent movement, and topspin that generates awkward angles for opponents. She has already amassed significant wins against top players.
7. Historic Milestones Andreeva became one of the youngest players to crack the top 10 in recent decades. She has recorded over 50 career wins at WTA 1000 events before turning 19, a rare feat. In doubles, she has won titles alongside Diana Shnaider and reached finals in 2026.
8. Inspirations and Personality Growing up, she idolized Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray, with Ons Jabeur as her favorite female player. She has cited basketball stars LeBron James and Kobe Bryant for motivation. Known for cheerful post-match interviews, Andreeva often displays humor and gratitude toward her team.
9. Olympic and International Experience She won silver in women’s doubles at the 2024 Paris Olympics with Shnaider. Competing as a neutral athlete, she has navigated geopolitical sensitivities while focusing on her performances. Her poise in high-pressure environments sets her apart.
10. Future Potential With a career-high ranking of No. 5 achieved in 2025, Andreeva is positioned for greater success. Experts see her as a potential Grand Slam champion and world No. 1 contender. Her ability to learn from losses and maintain focus suggests a long, successful career ahead.
Maturing on the Court
Andreeva’s 2026 French Open run exemplified her growth. After a quarterfinal victory, she expressed happiness at reaching semifinals again, noting the special feeling of consistency at the tournament. In press conferences, she has spoken about staying focused point by point and appreciating her team’s support.
Her game has evolved from promising junior results to senior-level dominance. Early challenges, such as occasional emotional moments on court, have given way to greater resilience. At Roland Garros, she dispatched strong opponents with clinical efficiency, advancing deep into the draw.
Off-Court Life and Balance
Away from tennis, Andreeva enjoys simple pleasures like diamond painting. She credits tennis with teaching her discipline and perseverance. Family remains central, providing stability amid the demands of the tour.
The tennis world has taken notice. Her ability to defeat established champions while maintaining a positive demeanor has endeared her to fans. As the sport transitions, Andreeva represents the next generation of stars capable of sustaining long-term excellence.
Challenges and Outlook
Like many young talents, she faces the pressure of expectations. Navigating a packed schedule, physical demands and the mental toll of constant travel tests even the most gifted athletes. Yet Andreeva’s results indicate she is adapting well.
With the grass-court season and US hard-court swing approaching, opportunities for more titles await. Her all-surface capability positions her as a threat at every major. Analysts project continued upward trajectory if she sustains her current form.
Andreeva’s story is still unfolding. From Siberian roots to global contender, her journey embodies dedication and natural flair. As she competes at the highest level, the tennis community watches eagerly to see how far this 19-year-old prodigy can go.
Her blend of power, finesse and mental fortitude suggests she could dominate for years. Whether adding more Grand Slam hardware or climbing to No. 1, Mirra Andreeva has already proven she belongs among the elite.
Business
Implementation of ‘guarantees’, decline of BRS favour Congress in Telangana, BJP aiming for better show
The morale of Congress cadre is high following the 2023 win.
The BJP, riding high on its growing voter base in Telangana, is now aiming to win over 12 out of the total 17 seats and 35 per cent vote share, in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
The party doubled its vote share to nearly 14 per cent resulting in eight seats in the assembly elections held on November 30, last year. BRS, which ruled the state for about a decade since its emergence, is low on morale following the defeat, even as its founder and former Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao‘s daughter K Kavitha was arrested on the eve of poll dates announcement, adding insult to the injury.
A SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis of political parties in Telangana.
CONGRESS STRENGTHS: -Congress is in power following its victory in the Assembly polls and momentum is on its side. -The implementation of the ‘guarantees’ announced before the Assembly elections by the Revanth Reddy government has generated goodwill for the party. -The popularity of CM Reddy. -Since it is in power, it has more access to resources to fight the polls. -Regarded as a secular party and minorities are believed to have voted for the party in the Assembly elections. -The BRS which was in power for 10 years is demoralised following its rout in the Assembly polls. The contest is mainly seen to be between Congress and BJP in the parliament elections. -Strong cadre at the grassroots level. -The party has already announced candidates for some seats.
WEAKNESSES: -The construction of Lord Ram temple at Ayodhya may swing devout Hindutva voters in favour of BJP. -The popularity of PM Narendra Modi would help the BJP and Congress may not be able to address this fully. OPPORTUNITIES: -Decline of BRS, and BJP lacking organisational strength in some constituencies. – CM Revanth Reddy, who is also PCC president, is regarded as an intelligent strategist. – Key issues like Ram temple and CAA may help the party get votes of minorities.
THREATS: -BJP’s aggressive campaign -Though BRS is down, it has announced that it will have an alliance with BSP for the Lok Sabha polls. In view of this, Congress needs to ensure that it gets the votes of Dalits and other backward sections in bulk.
BJP STRENGTHS: -Consecration of Ram temple at Ayodhya created a spiritual ambience among certain sections which can be transformed into electoral benefits. -Party’s clean image with respect to corruption -Strong leadership at the centre and their political shrewdness -Support from Sangh Pariwar, RSS affiliates like Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal -Ability to polarise votes on a “communal” basis.
WEAKNESSES: -The party had to pitch turncoats at some segments -For every decision, the local leadership will have to look up to the central leadership. -There is a strong feeling among people that the BJP and BRS have a tacit understanding. -The removal of Bandi Sanjay as state president is still seen as a weakness of the party.
OPPORTUNITIES: -The party can claim some of the achievements, such as the Women Reservation Bill and the September 17 official celebration of Hyderabad Liberation Day, to its credit. -BJP may focus on negative aspects of Congress government’s “Six guarantees”.
THREATS: -After the Assembly polls, Congress formed the government in Telangana very recently and emerged as an alternative to BRS. So the positive feeling towards Congress still remains -Congress’ campaign may centre around the BJP and BRS’s alleged understanding. The BJP needs to counter it effectively. Congress may use it as one of the major poll issues. -Barring a few, there are hardly any crowd-pullers in the party locally.
Lok Sabha polls in Gujarat will be held in a single phase on May 7. Counting of votes will be held on June 4. Anti-incumbency, unemployment, inflation, education and healthcare facilities are some of the other important issues in the election, where the ruling BJP in Gujarat will attempt to retain all the 26 Lok Sabha seats it won in 2019.
Gujarat is among the states which will play a crucial role in deciding the outcome of the elections to the Lower House of Parliament. In the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party won all the 26 seats in the state.
Here are some issues that will play a decisive role in the elections in Gujarat:
PM Narendra Modi’s charisma: The ruling BJP has a trump card in the form of the prime minister, who hails from Gujarat and was its chief minister from 2001 to 2014 before occupying the top post of the country. His sway over the followers in his home state is still intact.
Anti-incumbency: Observers feel that the opposition will try to take advantage of any anti-incumbency sentiment during the last 10 years of BJP rule at the Centre. They feel that “floating voters” who do not vote on the basis of ideology can be swayed by the opposition if they offer proper alternatives.
Inflation: Low and middle-income households are the worst-affected in terms of the effects of inflation. So this will be a decisive factor considering how the price rise has impacted the lives of people in the last 10 years. The opposition has been constantly targeting the Modi government over this issue.
Unemployment: This is another point that the opposition parties have been using to hit out at the Centre. Since this issue directly affects the lives of common people, this will be high on the mind of voters when they exercise their franchise. Lack of basic education and health facilities in remote areas: If school classrooms are constructed in remote rural areas, there is a dearth of teachers. The lack of primary health centres and doctors also adversely affects health services in rural pockets. Farmers’ issues: Issues like lack of adequate compensation for crop loss due to excess rains, non-availability of fertilisers and land acquisition for project development will also play a major role in affecting voter sentiment, the observers said.
The BJP-Shiv Sena won 41 of the 48 seats in the 2019 polls, but the Sena has split since and a vast majority of the Bal Thackeray-founded party is now allied with the BJP. The Nationalist Congress Party also split as well with Ajit Pawar joining the ruling alliance in the state, led by Eknath Shinde. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP emerged the top party with 23 seats, followed by the undivided Sena with 18. The undivided NCP had emerged victorious on four seats, the Congress one, while the AIMIM and an Independent accounted for the remaining two.
A total of 9.2 crore persons, including more than 50,000 centenarians, are eligible to exercise their franchise in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra, an increase of 34 lakh from 2019. Here is how the political landscape in various regions of Maharashtra looks like ahead of the ensuing Lok Sabha elections.
Konkan: The coastal region of the state includes Mumbai, the country’s commercial capital with six highly urbanised Lok Sabha seats, where issues include woes related to transportation, housing and jobs. The BJP-Sena had won 12 of the 13 seats in the region in 2019. While the Shiv Sena (UBT) could attract some sympathy post the split, other issues all parties will have to contend with are plans to construct a massive refinery and nuclear power plant in Ratnagiri area and a mega port in Vadhavan near Dahanu in Palghar.
Western Maharashtra: One of the most developed regions in the state, it is home to industrial cities with information technology hubs as well as sugar mills, ethanol plants and agri-rich rurban (land on the edge of a town or city, on which new housing and businesses are being built) pockets. The region receives ample rainfall but unequal distribution of water among various areas has been a traditional bone of contention. The split in the NCP, a strong contender in the region, and the Shiv Sena means the upcoming polls will ensure focus on candidates as much as party ideology due to fresh realignments. In the 209 polls, the BJP won five seats, while the Shiv Sena and the Sharad Pawar-founded Nationalist Congress Party won three each from this region.
North Maharashtra: This region is among the country’s top sources of grapes and onions, making it a hotbed for discontent in connection to changes in export-import policies for farm produce. Inadequate or unseasonal rainfall is another bugbear that can change the discourse. The region has a significant population of tribals and backward segments. In the 2019 polls, the BJP-Shiv Sena won all six seats in the region.
Marathwada: The region is infamous for lack of adequate rainfall, which has left it under-developed when compared to other parts of Maharashtra, leading to unemployment woes. Unseasonal rains and crop loss are annual phenomena, resulting in sharp surges of discontent among farmers. Apart from the industrial hub of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (formerly Aurangabad), the rest of the region is rural and lacks basic amenities. Speedy highway construction has boosted transportation. In 2019, the BJP won four Lok Sabha seats, followed by three for its ally Shiv Sena.
The Aurangabad seat was won by the Asaduddin Owaisi-led AIMIM. Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange hails from Marathwada and has a following in the region as was seen during many of his protests in the last few months. Vidarbha: Blessed with abundant natural resources and forests, the region in the eastern part of the state, however, has been in limelight for farmer suicides.
Left Wing Extremism is also a problem in some parts, mainly in Gadchiroli. There are also problems of human-wildlife conflicts in districts like Chandrapur, home to a sizable number of tigers. Soybean and cotton produce not fetching good returns could lead to agricultural distress in the region.
Moreover, several MP’s from the area were those who retained their seats, which means they may face anti-incumbency in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Of the 11 Lok Sabha seats in Vidarbha, the BJP won five, Shiv Sena three, while Congress and an Independent emerged victorious on one seat each in the last elections.
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