BJP signals BMC poll push as Mulund’s exotic bird park project takes flight

by Webdesk
15 Dec 2025

Mumbai’s political landscape witnessed heightened activity over the weekend, signalling that the battle for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has effectively begun. With the model code of conduct for the civic elections expected to be enforced later this week, political parties appear eager to make the most of the narrow window available before restrictions come into effect. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), in particular, moved quickly to showcase development initiatives and directly connect with voters through public events. On Sunday, the foundation stone for the proposed Exotic Bird Park at Nahur was laid, while a newly constructed building at the BMC-run Agarwal General Hospital in Mulund (West) was inaugurated virtually. Though these programmes were officially civic in nature, they clearly carried strong political undertones, setting the tone for the upcoming municipal polls.

The events saw recorded video messages from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, underscoring the importance the ruling alliance attaches to the projects. Mulund MLA Mihir Kotecha, who has been a key proponent of the Exotic Bird Park, attributed the progress of these initiatives to what he described as the effective coordination between the central and state governments, often referred to as the “double-engine government.” Addressing the gathering, Kotecha looked ahead to the BMC elections with confidence, stating that Mumbai would soon see a Mahayuti mayor, which would result in a “triple-engine government” working for the city’s development.

Kotecha also made a direct appeal to voters, urging them to extend the same level of support to BJP-Mahayuti candidates in the municipal elections that they had shown him during the 2024 Assembly polls. He highlighted his decisive victory in that election, where he secured a margin of nearly 91,000 votes, and suggested that similar backing would strengthen the alliance’s position in the BMC. His remarks were clearly aimed at consolidating voter confidence and projecting the Mahayuti as the dominant political force in the city.

Guardian minister and BJP’s in-charge for the BMC elections, Ashish Shelar, went a step further in explicitly framing the event within the context of the upcoming civic polls. Referring to the timeline of the Exotic Bird Park, which is expected to be inaugurated in December 2027, Shelar said he was confident that a BJP-Mahayuti mayor would be in office by that time. Describing the project as Mumbai’s first exotic bird park, he expressed satisfaction that it had not been named after any individual, instead remaining a public asset dedicated to the city’s residents.

Shelar credited the efforts of local leadership, particularly MLA Mihir Kotecha, as well as former BJP MP Manoj Kotak, who was also present on the dais, for ensuring that the land earmarked for the bird park remained designated as a public open space. Taking a dig at the opposition, Shelar criticised the previous Uddhav Thackeray-led government, alleging mismanagement of civic properties and inadequate handling of zoo-related assets. In contrast, he portrayed the Mahayuti as being firmly focused on development and long-term planning.

Appealing to the wider electorate, Shelar urged Mumbaikars to give the Mahayuti a full five-year term in the BMC. He claimed that such a mandate would allow the alliance to deliver results that would exceed public expectations. Addressing voters in Mulund specifically, Shelar called for all six civic seats in the area to be won by the Mahayuti with decisive margins. Adding a light-hearted remark, he jokingly told aspiring candidates seeking party tickets to remember him when the bird park is inaugurated in 2027.

According to official details, the Exotic Bird Park will be developed on a BMC-owned plot measuring approximately 17,139.64 square metres. Of this total area, around 10,859 square metres will be dedicated to specially designed aviaries that will house various exotic bird species. The remaining space will be used to create supporting infrastructure, including a ticketing counter, public restrooms, a souvenir shop, a café, and underground parking facilities. The project is being projected not only as a recreational attraction but also as a significant addition to Mumbai’s urban and environmental landscape.

Overall, the weekend’s events made it clear that with the model code of conduct looming, political parties are wasting no time in setting narratives, highlighting achievements, and appealing directly to voters. The inauguration ceremonies in Mulund served as a platform for the BJP and its allies to underline their development agenda while simultaneously signalling their readiness for the high-stakes BMC elections ahead.

Image Courtesy:

02 Jan 2026

BMC Elections

BJP signals BMC poll push as Mulund’s exotic bird park project takes flight

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