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‘Development’ dominates agenda as parties prepare for BMC election battle
- by Webdesk
- 16 Dec 2025
Source: Hindustan Times
MUMBAI: Following the State Election Commission’s announcement on Monday that voting for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will take place on January 15, political activity across Mumbai has picked up momentum. All major political parties have swung into action, holding a series of high-level meetings to finalise strategies, identify candidates, and prepare their election roadmaps. Across party lines, one word has emerged as the dominant theme of the campaign — “development.”
The Shiv Sena (UBT), which has governed the BMC for five consecutive terms, has expressed strong confidence that voters will once again endorse its performance. Mumbai South-Central MP Anil Desai said electoral results are the most accurate indicator of public trust. “For five straight terms, Mumbaikars have chosen the Shiv Sena and accepted the leadership of Uddhav Thackeray,” he said, adding that the party’s work has consistently received public approval.
Desai noted that the party’s development-oriented approach dates back to the era of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray. He highlighted several major infrastructure and housing initiatives undertaken during the Sena’s tenure, including the Mumbai Coastal Road project, Atal Setu, redevelopment of BDD chawls, and the Shivshahi housing scheme aimed at improving living conditions for slum residents. Referring to the period over the past three years when the BMC functioned without elected corporators, Desai said citizens were deeply dissatisfied due to unresolved civic issues. “Problems like garbage disposal and potholes remained unattended, leaving people frustrated. Residents want elected representatives who can raise their concerns,” he said.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Anil Parab echoed similar sentiments, stating that the party had honoured all the promises made in its manifestos over the last 25 years and intended to continue doing so. On the subject of alliances and candidate selection, Parab said talks were underway with the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and expressed optimism about a favourable outcome. He added that the party follows an established internal mechanism to finalise candidates.
The BJP, which has long positioned “development” as the cornerstone of its political messaging in Maharashtra, reaffirmed its focus on the same. State cultural affairs minister Ashish Shelar said development would be the party’s sole agenda in the upcoming BMC elections. “Our campaign will revolve around development — from urban infrastructure and public spaces to recreation facilities, healthcare, and education,” he said.
Addressing concerns about the relatively short campaign period, Shelar stated that the BJP had been actively working at multiple levels for a long time. He pointed out that voters have witnessed development initiatives across the state under the leadership of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar. “This consistent work has helped build public confidence,” he said. Regarding candidate selection, Shelar explained that the party follows a systematic process aligned with ward-wise reservations.
The Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde also plans to centre its campaign around development, particularly highlighting its role in key portfolios such as urban development and housing. The party’s leadership of important bodies like the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) and Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) is expected to feature prominently in its narrative. Former MP Rahul Shewale said the party’s manifesto would showcase completed infrastructure projects, slum redevelopment policies, and future plans aimed at improving Mumbai’s quality of life. He added that one month was sufficient for campaigning, as candidates for most wards had already been shortlisted and would be announced soon.
The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, meanwhile, has chosen to focus on issues related to corruption and Marathi identity. Party spokesperson Sandeep Deshpande said the MNS campaign would highlight alleged corruption during the last three-and-a-half years when the BMC was run by administrators rather than elected representatives. Alongside future-oriented development plans, the party will also stress the protection of Marathi residents’ rights. Deshpande said recent incidents involving harassment of locals by people from outside the state would be addressed strongly in the party’s campaign.
The Congress is also preparing to enter the BMC electoral fray, with indications that it may contest independently. Party sources said the local body elections present a crucial opportunity for grassroots workers. Arif Naseem Khan, a member of the Congress Working Committee, said the party has been working at the ground level for a long time. “Our key focus areas will include free water supply for slum dwellers, infrastructure development, healthcare, education, pollution control, and other civic issues,” he said.
Khan added that Mumbai residents have been grappling with several long-standing problems that no party has adequately resolved so far. The Congress, he said, aims to highlight and address these neglected concerns. He also confirmed that the party has completed the first round of interviews for prospective candidates. “Our candidate list is nearly final and will soon be approved by the senior leadership,” he said.
As the BMC election date draws closer, Mumbai is set to witness an intense political battle, with development emerging as the central theme shaping the narratives of all major contenders.
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