Overview
- Mumbai’s ruling Mahayuti released its BMC platform promising a 50% BEST fare concession for women, a larger bus fleet, accelerated metro work, slum-redevelopment push and environmental upgrades.
- Devendra Fadnavis highlighted technology-focused governance, with plans ranging from traffic management to an AI tool to flag illegal immigrants, alongside investments to improve air and water quality.
- In Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, Ajit Pawar and Supriya Sule presented a joint NCP manifesto featuring free PMPML and Metro rides, a property-tax waiver for homes up to 500 sq ft and expanded healthcare access.
- Maharashtra minister Chandrakant Patil questioned the Pune free-travel promise as impractical without a coalition decision, citing financial constraints and calling the announcement deceptive.
- In Ambernath, Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena drew four NCP councillors and an independent away from a BJP-led front, allowing the party to claim a working majority in the 60-member council as municipal polling nears on January 15 with counting on January 16.