Overview
- Polling in Mumbai’s BMC election is on January 15 from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm, with counting on January 16.
- The Shiv Sena (UBT)–MNS alliance has released a local-focused manifesto promising affordable housing, infrastructure upgrades, Rs 1,500 monthly aid for domestic and Koli women, scrapping property tax on homes up to 700 sq ft, lower bus fares, restored routes, and expanded BEST services with new daycare centers.
- Campaign messaging by the Thackeray alliance centers on the ‘Marathi Manoos’ identity while portraying the BJP as outsiders pushing Hindi and ‘Adani-isation’.
- The race is viewed as a measure of whether the Thackeray reunion can convert symbolism and policy pledges into control of the resource-rich BMC and its patronage power.
- Opponents include the BJP allied with Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena, while the Shiv Sena (UBT) contests without Congress support as NCP factions position themselves against the BJP.