Unnati Hooda, Shahnawaz Khan, Shaili Singh, Princedeep Singh and Samrat Rana

With an eye on Los Angeles three years from now, a crucial Olympic cycle unfolds for India from the New Year onwards. Keeping in mind a busy, demanding 2026 for Indian sportspersons across major disciplines — culminating in the Asian Games in Aichi and Nagoya in Sept-Oct — TOI draws up a line-up of young, hungry aspirants who could be forces to reckon with this year. Remember their names…

THE EMERGENCE OF HITESH GULIAHitesh Gulia is increasingly being viewed as the standard-bearer for Indian men’s boxing heading into a crucial Olympic cycle, with the Asian Games headlining the events next year. The 20-year-old 70kg boxer from Haryana emerged as India’s brightest male prospect on the international stage in 2025, delivering a season that combined consistency, composure and an unmistakable sense of arrival. Gulia stamped his authority across the World Boxing Cup circuit, with the defining moment coming at the seasonending Finals, where he clinched gold in front of the home crowd. Navigating a field stacked with experienced campaigners from Europe and Central Asia, he showcased tactical maturity beyond his years, blending sharp counter-punching with disciplined defence — reinforcing his ability to deliver under pressure.

Earlier in the season, Gulia served notice of his international credentials by winning gold at the World Boxing Cup Stage I in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil. That triumph, achieved in unfamiliar conditions and against physically imposing opponents, was widely seen as a breakthrough moment. At Stage II of the World Boxing Cup in Astana, Kazakhstan, Gulia added a silver medal to his tally, narrowly missing out on a second consecutive title. As 2026 approaches, with the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games looming large, Gulia’s upward trajectory places him firmly at the centre of India’s medal ambitions. If 2025 was about validation, the year ahead offers him a platform to translate promise into sustained excellence on the biggest stages. (By Hindol Basu)TIME TO CONSOLIDATE FOR SHAILI SINGHIn 2025, Indian long jumper Shaili Singh staged a notable comeback. After setbacks that included missing qualification for the Paris Olympics and a careerthreatening injury, the 21-year-old from Jhansi returned to top form. Her comeback gained momentum at the Federation Cup in Ernakulam in April, where she produced a standout performance and drew widespread attention as she broke the meet record held by her mentor, Anju Bobby George, leaping 6.64m to better Anju’s 2002 mark of 6.59m. (By Rayson Tennyson)

Ranked among the world’s top 20 under-21 long jumpers, Shaili is viewed as one of India’s strongest medal prospects for the Asian Games in 2026. Her next major goal is the national record of 6.83m set by Anju, and to qualify for the 2028 Olympics. “I’ll be looking to qualify for Los Angeles, which will be my main focus. I don’t want to make any mistakes,” she said.THE JAISMINE BLOOM IS HERE TO STAYIf 2025 belonged to any Indian boxer, it was unquestionably Jaismine Lamboria. The 57kg featherweight, competing in one of the toughest Olympic divisions, turned the year into a catalogue of triumphs and consistency that underlined her rise as India’s most distinguished female pugilist on the international stage. The 24-year-old’s crowning achievement came at the World Boxing Championships in Liverpool, where she claimed gold with a series of authoritative performances. Against a field packed with Olympic medallists and world champions, Jaismine displayed remarkable ring intelligence, controlling distance with her footwork and punishing openings with precise combinations. The title not only marked a personal milestone but also signalled India’s growing depth in women’s boxing at the elite level.

Jaismine’s dominance extended to the World Boxing Cup circuit. At Astana’s Stage II, she showcased adaptability and endurance to clinch gold, thriving in a demanding environment against physically strong opponents. She capped off a stellar year by winning another gold at the World Boxing Cup Finals in Greater Noida, delivering under the pressure of expectations on home soil. What made her success even more remarkable was the category she ruled. The 57kg class, steeped in international depth, has long demanded exceptional all-round skill and adaptability. Jaismine met that challenge with a maturity that reflected her evolution. As India looks ahead to the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games in 2026, Jaismine emerges as the fulcrum of the women’s boxing programme. If 2025 was about establishing supremacy, the year ahead offers her the opportunity to convert dominance into multi-sport Games glory. (By Hindol Basu)SHAHNAWAZ LOOKS TO CROSS BARRIERSShahnawaz Khan became the 12th Indian man to clear the eight-metre barrier in long jump when he leapt 8.04m at the Indian Open, a World Athletics Bronze-level meet in Bhubaneswar in August. The effort also made him the youngest Indian to achieve the mark. With his career gaining momentum, Khan is now targeting the Asian Games and aiming to raise his level on the international stage. Known for his agility and sound technique, he has mapped out an intensive 2026 training plan to add distance, sharpen consistency, and improve competitiveness against elite fields.

“At the world level, 8m doesn’t mean much. Maybe it’s a big deal because I’m a junior. But my aim is to cross the 8.50 mark. I don’t know whether I’ll be able to achieve it this year, but it is one of my main targets in the future,” said the 17-year-old boy from Madhaipur village in Uttar Pradesh’s Pratapgarh district. Progress has been steady. He won gold at the 38th National Games in February with 7.70m, then claimed another at the Junior Federation Cup in June. His tall, muscular frame gives him explosive take-off power, helping him stand out among many leaner rivals. Shahnawaz draws inspiration from his uncle Mohammad Hadees, a former national-level javelin thrower. After Shahnawaz lost his father to cancer at age 10 in 2018, Hadees became a key support. In a key move, in 2020, he helped the nephew secure admission to Panvel’s SAI centre.(By Rayson Tennyson)PRINCEDEEP WHO COULD BE KINGWith stalwart PR Sreejesh calling time on his illustrious career after the Paris Olympics, the No. 16 jersey in India’s senior men’s hockey team has been retired. In the junior ranks, however, Princedeep Singh, another No. 16, has emerged as a goalkeeper who is showing promise of stepping into those giant shoes. The Pathankot-born custodian has impressed over the past year with performances that suggest he is prepared for the next step. Pushing senior goalkeepers Kishan Pathak and Suraj Karkera, Prince has shown composure and maturity beyond his years.

Trained under the watchful eyes of Sreejesh — now the junior team’s chief coach — his game reflects the hallmarks of his mentor: sharp communication, sound judgment of angles, and an ability to thrive under pressure. The traits were on display at Chennai’s Junior World Cup, where Prince played a pivotal role, particularly in the penalty shootout win over Belgium that took India into the semifinals. With the senior setup in transition, 2026 could mark Princedeep’s arrival on the bigger stage. (By Manuja Veerappa)UNNATI, HER NAME IS PROGRESSBy beating PV Sindhu in the prequarterfinals of the China Open in July this year, Unnati Hooda gave indications of a change of guard in Indian badminton. It was the first time in six years that the peerless Sindhu had lost to an Indian shuttler. Of course, everyone sat up to take notice. The 18-year-old Unnati finished her maiden year on the senior Badminton World Federation circuit with a ranking of 23, five spots below Sindhu.Unnati started playing badminton at the age of eight at Rohtak’s Chhotu Ram Stadium, an arena known more for producing wrestlers. Today, she trains at the Hooda Academy in her hometown, which was established by her father, Upkar Hooda. An aggressive shuttler who likes to dictate points against her rival, Unnati played a crucial role in India’s bronzemedal finish at the World Junior Team Championships in Oct and bagged the Odisha Masters Super 100 title. She will have to shore up her net play to get the better of the best as the badminton circuit gets more demanding.

“I think there should be a mix of both attacking and patient play. But I have to think when to attack and when to play patiently,” she had said. Her performances in next year’s Asian Games in Japan and the World Championships in Delhi next year will define her future career, but how busy things will get from now on for the youngster can be seen up close with the Indian Open in the capital from early January onwards. (By Prasanth Menon) TANVI, BABY-FACED GIANT-KILLERWhen they began saying that Indian badminton, after over a decade of being among India’s top sports, was headed for a long slump, they had not accounted for the likes of Unnati Hooda, Charishma Tamiri, and Tanvi Sharma. The first Indian to win two medals in a single edition of the World Junior Championship, the baby-faced Tanvi has emerged as India’s most promising shuttler on the junior circuit, having risen to a world ranking of 42.But 2026 will be a different kettle of fish for the 17-year-old, her prime challenge being to translate those performances to the senior circuit. Trained by renowned coach Park Tae-sang, Tanvi already showed signs of her potential when she beat former world No. 1 Nozomi Okuhara at the Syed Modi International earlier this year. A huge PV Sindhu fan, Tanvi understands the scope of improvement in her game.

“I will have to work on my fitness, court endurance and net skills to go to the next level because playing at the highest level is not easy,” she says. The 17-year-old has a remarkable ability to hit sideline smashes and has a good backcourt game. But having lost three finals in 2025, the girl from Punjab will have to improve her big-match temperament if she hopes to continue her upward climb, knowing well how a nation that has learnt to follow and love badminton over the years will be looking at her to deliver. (By Prasanth Menon)TREESA & GAYATRI GOPICHAND GET BACK ON THEIR FEETTreesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand didn’t have the best year in 2025, as a string of mixed results and a shoulder injury to the latter laid them low. However, by claiming the Syed Modi Open women’s doubles title — their third BWF crown towards the end of the year — the two 22-year-olds showed they are getting back to their best and are now placed 20th in the world rankings.

“We are combining well, and the understanding we share is the mantra behind our success,” says Gayatri. Having been on the circuit for over four years, the fire-and-ice combo of Indian badminton faces a make-orbreak year ahead and would like to emulate the success of their compatriots on the men’s tour, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty. (By Prasanth Menon)CAN AND ABLE: ROSAN AND MANMEETAs the men’s hockey team sets its sights on a hat-trick of podium finishes at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, a realignment of talent and strategy has become imperative. The midfield is where India’s transition could prove most defining, especially with Hockey India looking beyond Manpreet Singh, who has held fort for almost 15 years. In that context, 20-year-old Manmeet Singh and Rosan Kujur are potential long-term answers.

Manmeet’s strength lies in his defensive work and ability to break opposition momentum, while Kujur, 21, offers greater ball-carrying ability. Together, they represent the kind of balanced midfield profiles that India needs. The challenge over the next cycle will be to blend experience with emerging talent — and if the early signs are any indication, the next generation appears ready to shoulder the responsibility. (By Manuja Veerappa)SURUCHI, YOUNGSTER WITH A MASTER’S MINDWith the average age of the Indian shooting team shrinking by around eight years in the last decade, a teenager winning worldlevel medals has become the norm. Yet, a shooter with the spark of a youngster and the consistency of a veteran is still a delight whenever it is discovered. Haryana’s Suruchi Phogat has been one such discovery in 2025. The 18-yearold shooter made her senior international debut by winning gold in the women’s 10m air pistol at the Buenos Aires World Cup. Her first medal, a gold, came after beating double Olympic champion Jiang Ranxin of China.

That Suruchi didn’t wish to be a onetime wonder is evident from the way the soft-spoken shooter won three more gold and a bronze at the World Cups. She concluded her year with another gold at the ISSF World Cup Finals in Dec. Suruchi first aspired to be a wrestler — an obvious choice for a girl who hails from Jhajjar in Haryana. Her father, Inder Singh, took voluntary retirement from the army to look after his children’s training. Suruchi’s brother is also a shooter.As 2026 approaches, the Indian pistol team will face a problem of plenty, with many contenders in the fray — especially when Olympic quotas will be at stake. With shooters like Suruchi setting the bar higher with each performance, her competitors cannot afford to put their feet up. (By Tushar Dutt)SAMRAT RANA, THE WORLD CHAMPION NO ONE SAW COMINGBefore November, not many had heard of Samrat Rana. The Karnal shooter made sure his name would be remembered by becoming the first-ever pistol world champion in the Olympics category with a coveted gold in the Cairo World Championships. Samrat’s 10m air pistol gold on debut was remarkable for the way he shot, nailing the toughest targets under pressure.Samrat, 20, defeated arguably the best shooter of the year, Hu Kai of China, who has won individual gold in all four editions of the World Cup this year, along with an Asian Championship gold and two mixed-team golds in World Cups. Hu concluded the year by winning gold at the World Cup Finals in Doha. Pertinently, the only silver he won this year was in the World Championships, behind Samrat by 0.3 points.

Samrat, who started shooting six years ago, trains at a modest range built by his father. The youngster proved his Cairo gold wasn’t a fluke by winning bronze at the World Cup Finals. Samrat’s arrival on the international scene has strengthened India’s men’s pistol team that once was strongest courtesy of Saurabh Chaudhary and Abhishek Varma, who had ruled the world stage. Following their decline in form, Varun Tomar has been the only consistent name for India. If this young duo holds its ground, India will have a strong men’s 10m air pistol team for the Los Angeles Games in 2028. (By Tushar Dutt)

The health department organised camps and screened residents while the civic staff carried out cleaning in the affected locality.

INDORE: A day after residents in Bhagirathpura area of Indore took ill with symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting after consuming contaminated water, three people admitted to different hospitals died on Tuesday. Chief minister Mohan Yadav termed the incident extremely tragic and announced Rs 2 lakh compensation to the kin of each of the deceased with an assurance to bear cost of treatment of all hospitalised. Chief minister paid tribute to the deceased and wished for the speedy recovery of those undergoing treatment. About 15,000 people live in the area where contaminated water was supplied. Several new patients including women and children were rushed to the hospitals during the day.The health department organised camps and screened residents while the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) staff carried out cleaning in the affected locality and distributed chlorine tablets among residents. Residents in the locality have been advised to consume only boiled water. “Three people who were admitted to different hospitals have died. Thirty-five others who were hospitalised since Monday nighte were discharged, mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava told reporters. The exact cause of death will be ascertained after post-mortem examination,” he said. Chief medical and health officer (CMHO) Dr Madhav Prasad Hassani said the admitted patients complained of vomiting and diarrhoea after drinking contaminated water. Water samples were collected for testing from the locality, and reports will arrive in 48 hours, CMHO said. Residents said that they took after consuming water supplied to homes through municipal tap connections. Chief minister Mohan Yadav directed the local administration to ensure prompt and quality treatment for all patients. “Prima facie it appears to be a case of negligence by people responsible for water supply and laying pipelines,” mayor Bhargava said. The IMC team began to identify the contamination by mapping the pipeline supplying water to Bhagirathpura. “We found that the water contamination was near the main line,” IMC commissioner Dileep Kumar Yadav told reporters. The contamination point was identified near the Bhagirathpura police check post, where a newly constructed toilet was dumping its waste in a sinkhole, instead of a proper septic tank. The sinkhole was exactly above the water supply line, which had a joint. The IMC now planned to flush the water pipeline for the next 2 days, with an advisory to the people to avoid using the water. “We are supplying drinking water in the area through around 60-70 tankers,” the municipal commissioner said. Congress held a press conference demanding immediate sacking of engineers responsible for laying drainage and water pipelines. Leader of opposition in IMC, Chintu Chouksey, alleged that primary responsibility lay with the Narmada water supply project engineers. “Their role should be immediately probed, and they should be booked under criminal charges,” he added. Mayor Bhargava said the priority was to bring the situation under control. “The matter will be probed, and the quantum of punishment will be decided on the basis of the outcome,” he said.

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Former Australia batter Damien Martyn is battling meningitis after being admitted to hospital in Brisbane, where he has been placed in an induced coma as doctors continue treatment. The 54-year-old fell seriously ill around Boxing Day, prompting an outpouring of support from across the global cricket community.

“I’m saddened to hear of Damien’s illness. The best wishes of everyone at Cricket Australia and in the wider cricket community are with him at this time,” the governing body’s CEO Todd Greenberg said in his official statement.

Damien Martyn’s treatment update: Doctors treating infection affecting brain and spinal cord

Meningitis is an infection that causes inflammation of the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. According to those familiar with the situation, Martyn was admitted after his condition deteriorated rapidly, leading medical staff to place him in an induced coma to stabilise his body and aid recovery.

While no detailed medical timeline has been shared publicly, Cricket Australia emphasised that Martyn is in expert hands and that the family has requested privacy as treatment continues.

Ravichandran Ashwin, Darren Lehmann lead messages of support 

Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was among the first high-profile figures to post a message of recovery for Damien Martyn. “Thoughts are with
@damienmartyn. Prayers to see him bounce back,” he wrote on X.

Thoughts are with @damienmartyn

Prayers to see him bounce back🙏

— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) December 31, 2025

Former Australia teammate Darren Lehmann also shared an emotional note, writing: “Lots of love and prayers sending Martyn’s way. Keep strong and fighting legend. Love to the family.” The message echoed the sentiments of many from Australia’s celebrated early-2000s dressing room.

Lots of love and prayers sending @damienmartyn way . Keep strong and fighting legend . Love to the family xxx 🙏 ❤️

— Darren Lehmann (@darren_lehmann) December 30, 2025

Also READ: Ashes 2025/26 – Australia coach Andrew McDonald opens up on Usman Khawaja’s retirement talks ahead of Sydney Test

“Sending strength and prayers to my dear friend @damienmartyn
and his family. Wishing him a full and speedy recovery. The entire cricket world stands with you Matto during this tough time,” former India international VVS Laxman captioned his post.

Sending strength and prayers to my dear friend @damienmartyn and his family. Wishing him a full and speedy recovery. The entire cricket world stands with you Matto during this tough time🤗🤗

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) December 31, 2025

“All our thoughts are with you @damienmartyn,” tweeted cricketer-turned-commentator Michael Vaughan.

Also READ: WPL 2026 – Mumbai Indians name former Australian leggie as new spin bowling coach

The focus in 2026 will be on sustaining the growth momentum despite challenges like tariffs and foreign fund selloff. Financial assets are expected to be driven by central bank actions and trade deal prospects in the first half of 2026 amid heightened volatility. So, what should your strategy be in the New Year? Partha Sinha & Mayur Shetty explain…

Stocks lose sheen , FD rates may not rise, is gold still an option?

Losing interest in FDs?There’s not much leeway for banks to cut interest rates from the current levels. While credit offtake is showing good traction, deposit mobilisations are in the slow lane. In such a situation, it’s unlikely banks will cut FD rates aggressively. This could be good news for those who prefer the relative safety of FDs and are due to rollover their funds

Stock up with caution in new yearLeading indices could remain fence-sitters in early months of the year. Signs of a turnaround in corporate numbers and strong domestic flows are expected to push benchmark indices higher. However, limited progress on India-US trade deal, geopolitical uncertainties, foreign fund selling and the weak rupee would weigh on equities

Crypto conundrumIf 2025 was a watershed year for crypto, with most major economies tilting heavily in favour of these digital assets, 2026 could see gains, building off the developments of the previous year. Institutional demand for cryptocurrencies could rise

Gold & silver: Going up, up, upAfter two years of record-breaking gains, the two precious metals are unlikely to see any meaningful corrections. Geopolitical tensions, an uncertain global market, investment demand and especially for silver, rising industrial demand amid uncertain supplies, are seen combining to keep prices of these precious metals at elevated levels.

Mutual funds: Your long-term betIf we extrapolate the 20% CAGR for the industry’s AUM of the last decade into next year, 2026 should turn out to be the landmark year when the fund industry would cross the $1tn AUM mark. Also expect the growth of passive funds to continue to surpass the same for actively managed ones.

Bond with bonds?A section of the market is apprehensive about govt’s gross borrowing programme for FY27, given the sizable redemptions during the year. Since the economy is near the end of the rate easing cycle, higher gross borrowing may distort the demand-supply dynamics. Bond yields could rise. RBI recently announced open market operations (OMOs) to cap any unfavourable spike in yields. More OMOs may follow in the next year(Source: ETIG, Value Research, SBI)

RBI focus on curbing cybercrime, insurance sector set for registration

Fight against fraud: Banks will have to obtain explicit customer opt-in for internet/mobile/USSD/SMS banking before starting digital services. Banks must also record consent, send real-time alerts, strengthen risk controls and cybersecurity. The intent is to cut fraud and ensure customers clearly understand which digital services are enabled on their accountsNo fee on no-frills bank accounts: Basic savings bank deposit accounts go fully free. Banks must offer zero-charge digital banking, cash deposits, ATM/debit cards and statements. The push widens inclusion and turns no-frills accounts into daily-use walletsRBI’s cybersecurity mantra: Banks must file core-banking ring-fencing plans, isolating critical systems from peripheral apps with March 2028 deadline for full roll out. This segregation is meant to limit the impact of cyber incidents and system failures. Alongside this roadmap, RBI is tightening expectations around how critical banking infrastructure is protected and monitoredMore checks for e-payments: Digital payments face tougher gates. Banks must add two-factor/risk-based checks, layering biometrics or analytics over OTPs. At the same time, RBI is making digital deposits costlier for banks by raising liquidity buffer requirements, including an additional 2.5% run-off under the liquidity coverage ratio and tougher haircuts on liquid assetsPolicy shift: Insurance rules set for reset under regulator Irdai. Insurers will shift from solvency-led capital to risk-based capital and adopt Ind AS 117, spreading revenue over policy lifePrivacy please: Compliance tightens across banking and financial services sector. The Digital Personal Data Protection Act enforces encryption, access controls, audits, breach reporting and data officers, with penalties up to Rs 250 crore. Alongside, telecom regulator Trai mandates a shift to 1600-series service numbers, with large NBFCs/payment banks due by Feb 2026, to choke spoofed calls and cut fraud at sourceInsurance consolidation: A surge in M&A activity is expected in the insurance sector as the new law allowing 100% foreign direct investment is expected to take effect. The relaxation in norms pertaining to control and appointment of directors is expected to attract new players who had been waiting in the sidelines. Permission to acquire non-insurance cos is likely to lead to insurers acquiring insuretech and TPA firms

MUMBAI: The occasion was the silver jubilee function of Noor Mehr Charitable Trust and its Jamia Tajwidul Quran and Noor Meher Urdu High School at Malvani in Malad West on Tuesday. Twenty-five alumni, old boys who have passed from this institution in the last 25 years, came together to celebrate the silver jubilee. And each one briefly spoke about his journey.Products of a unique system of education where students complete the hafiz course (memorization of the entire Quran) and also clear SSC or 10th Board exams almost simultaneously, these alumni are now well settled in life or are pursuing higher education.A brain child of businessman Syed Ali Hussain, affectionately called Ali Bhai, this blending of religious and secular education, is empowering hundreds of students from impoverished backgrounds. And this model is being replicated elsewhere too.Every year, a batch of hafizs sit for the SSC exams and, after clearing SSC exams, enter institutions of higher learning or join professional courses. These students are tutored at the same place but by a different set of teachers. Maulvis for the hafiz course and trained teachers to teach the modern subjects like Maths, English and Science. Almost all students are from very poor backgrounds.“I felt the need for such an institution because I feel that there should be no barriers between deen (religion) and duniya (world). Every child has a right to education. Since the government cannot provide such facilities as it is mandated to give only secular education or help the madrassa, I decided to establish an institution where students can be given both kinds of education,” said Ali Bhai. Several dignitaries who attended the event shared their thoughts and lauded the efforts of Ali Bhai and his team.“I congratulate Ali Bhai and his better half for their dedication to educate poor children. Quran carries words of wisdom and here they educated children who are not just hafizs but also qualified enough to pursue further education through which they can improve their employability,” said former IAS Zafar Iqbal who also stressed the need to read Quran with its meaning and understand the message of its verses. Sons of daily wagers, rickshaw and taxi drivers, tailors and factory workers, some of the alumni are now engineers, medical professionals, professors and pharmacists. They now stand on their feet and earn enough to support their families. Many are in the path of prosperity.Thanks to the sincerity and selfless efforts of one man–Syed Ali Hussain.

ULHASNAGAR: The political contest in Ulhasnagar has turned more interesting this time as the Shiv Sena and the BJP are contesting the municipal elections separately. The situation became more volatile during the nomination process after the Shiv Sena entered into a local alliance with Team Omie Kalani and the SAI Party. Following this alliance, several Shiv Sena aspirants who were denied tickets were seen leaving the party at the last moment and filing their nominations as BJP candidates.A major political development was witnessed on Tuesday, the final day of nominations, when Shiv Sena’s Yuva Sena city president Bala Shrikhande, along with Shiv Sena office-bearer Keshav Ovelekar, suddenly quit the party. Both leaders filed their nomination papers as BJP candidates from different wards under Panel No. 1. Their exit was seen as a significant blow to the Shiv Sena’s organisational strength in the city.Apart from them, several other Shiv Sena leaders also switched sides and joined the BJP. Surekha Awhad filed her nomination on a BJP ticket from Panel No. 4, while Sandeep Dongre and Sunita Ghage filed their nominations from Panel No. 13 as BJP candidates.It is noteworthy that in Ulhasnagar, the Shiv Sena and the BJP have mostly contested elections together in the past. Traditionally, the BJP has had a strong hold in Sindhi-dominated areas, while the Shiv Sena has remained strong in Marathi-dominated localities. However, this time the Shiv Sena has chosen to contest independently by forming a local alliance with TOK and the SAI Party, both of which are considered influential in Sindhi-dominated areas. This strategy has put the Shiv Sena in direct confrontation with the BJP in regions where the latter has traditionally been strong.At the same time, the BJP was seen accommodating several disgruntled Shiv Sena leaders by offering them tickets in Marathi-dominated areas, thereby attempting to capitalise on internal dissatisfaction within the Sena.Despite these developments, the BJP also made some surprising decisions of its own. The party denied tickets at the last moment to two former sitting corporators, Dr Prakash Nathani and Rekha Thakur, and instead gave opportunities to new faces. In another unusual move, the BJP issued AB forms to two candidates—Rakesh Pathak and Juhi Khuslani—from the same ward and had both of them file their nomination papers, adding another layer of intrigue to the Ulhasnagar political contest. However later party declared Juhi Khuslani their party’s official candidate.Alongwith, Shiv Sena and BJP, the third Mahayuti alliance party NCP (AP) contesting seperate election on all panels. The MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT) contesting election in alliance while Congress have also fielded candidates seperately making poll intresting. Overall, the developments on the final day of nominations have significantly altered the political equations in Ulhasnagar, making the upcoming municipal elections highly competitive and unpredictable.