The upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections on January 15 present a fierce contest between the Mahayuti alliance and the reunited Thackeray cousins. This election is steeped in Marathi vs. non-Marathi identity politics, with debates over the mayor's position and controversial remarks on Mumbai’s global standing. Key issues include promises to remove illegal immigrants, a fierce fight for seats among factions of Shiv Sena, BJP, Congress, and MNS, and legal challenges over welfare schemes.
Voting for 2,869 seats across Maharashtra's 29 municipal corporations, including Mumbai, will take place from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM on Thursday, January 15. Over 25,000 police personnel have been deployed to ensure peaceful elections in Mumbai, covering 227 BMC seats and other bodies. The security umbrella includes 10 Additional Commissioners, 33 DCPs, and 84 ACPs, along with home guards, SRPF, and Quick Response Teams.
A total of 34.8 million voters statewide will decide the fate of 15,931 candidates, with 1,700 hailing from Mumbai and 1,166 from Pune. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is leading the Mahayuti charge, while Uddhav and Raj Thackeray aim to consolidate Marathi votes for the first time in 20 years. The outcome of vote counting on January 16 will determine the custodianship of the nation's wealthiest civic body.
The Thackeray Brothers’ Unity and Mahayuti’s Strategy
This election is particularly intriguing as Uddhav and Raj Thackeray reunite in the name of Marathi identity after two decades. It's the first BMC election post the 2022 Shiv Sena split, with the Eknath Shinde faction contesting as the true Shiv Sena. Strategically, Ajit Pawar's NCP is kept separate in the Mahayuti alliance to attract 'non-Hindu' voters. CM Fadnavis has introduced an emotional narrative, promising a Hindu and Marathi mayor.
Promises to Women and Other Electoral Issues
Both factions have made alluring promises to women in their manifestos. Mahayuti pledged a 50% fare cut for women on BEST buses, while the Thackeray brothers vowed monthly allowances of 1,500 rupees for female domestic workers and waived property taxes on homes up to 700 square feet. Meanwhile, Congress focuses on pollution control and improving Mumbai’s financial health.
The Seat Calculus and Major Contenders
In Mumbai's seat distribution, BJP is contesting 137 seats, and Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena 90 seats, while Ajit Pawar’s NCP is independently contesting 94 seats. In opposition, Shiv Sena (UBT) fields 163 candidates, MNS offers 52, Congress 143 and VBA puts forward 46 contestants. Congress also fields 1,263 candidates statewide, striving for an independent image apart from Mahavikas Aghadi allies.
The Verbal Duel Over The Mayor's Office
The mayoral position sparked intense debate during campaigns. BJP alleged that Shiv Sena (UBT)'s victory would bring a Muslim mayor to Mumbai. Uddhav Thackeray’s faction countered with the promise of a Marathi mayor. Ultimately, CM Fadnavis assured a 'Hindu and Marathi' mayor. Notables like Asaduddin Owaisi, Imran Pratapgarhi, and Mohammad Azharuddin have also campaigned vigorously for their parties.
