Overview
- Launching its manifesto, the BJP–Shinde-led Mahayuti promised large-scale housing via redevelopment, a bigger BEST fleet of 10,000–12,000 electric buses, fare concessions for women, an interest-free loan scheme for female entrepreneurs, and a five-year freeze on annual water charge hikes.
- Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the state has developed an IIT Mumbai-linked AI tool to identify illegal Bangladeshi and Rohingya residents, citing about 60% reliability and plans for detention before deportation, a claim not independently verified in the coverage.
- Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced a plan to construct 3.5 million affordable homes over five years by redeveloping slums, chawls and dilapidated buildings, alongside measures to promote Marathi language and culture in civic institutions and schools.
- Reunited for the campaign, Uddhav and Raj Thackeray framed the contest as a ‘last election’ for the Marathi manoos, accused the BJP of favoring the Adani Group and shifting Mumbai’s assets toward Gujarat-linked interests, and urged consolidation of Marathi voters.
- Sharpening linguistic politics, Raj Thackeray warned against ‘Hindi imposition’ and issued tough instructions to cadres for polling vigilance, as parties sprint toward January 15 polling and January 16 counting, with fresh strains also evident inside the ruling alliance.