The Brihanmumbai Municipal Company (BMC) elections shall be held throughout 227 wards within the metropolis Wednesday.

Eyeing Hindu vote consolidation, the Mahayuti, comprising the BJP and Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena, promise to drive out “unlawful Bangladeshis and Rohingya Muslims” from Mumbai. Coupled with its formidable promise of delivering 3.5 million new, reasonably priced houses in 5 years, by way of the redevelopment of chawls, slums, and dilapidated buildings, it has designed an arresting manifesto.

Operating solo, Ajit Pawar’s NCP pitched itself as a technocratic and development-first social gathering in its manifesto, which is targeted on an AI-powered ‘good site visitors sign’ and the enlargement of CCTV and WiFi networks beneath the ‘Sensible Metropolis’ initiative. AI-enabled schooling and girls’s security have additionally been promised in what’s a tech-driven, security-focused manifesto.

The Thackeray brothers’ alliance of Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray’s Shiv Sena and Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, together with Sharad Pawar’s NCP, has made the middle-class Mumbai residents the middle of their manifesto, promising monetary assist as much as Rs 1 lakh for the youth in addition to aid from property tax and cost-of-living tax for homes beneath 700 sq ft.

Final however not least, the Congress-Vanchit Bahujan Aaghadi’s manifesto has made a pitch for good governance and inclusivity.

---

Additionally Learn: From violent protests to majority consent, how opposition to Pune’s Purandar airport thawed

---

Housing & city infrastructure

Housing is essentially the most politically charged concern in Mumbai, the place affordability, stalled redevelopment, and displacement have outlined civic debates for many years.

On this backdrop, the pitch that’s most resounding in Mahayuti’s manifesto—launched on 11 January (Sunday) by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde—is the supply of three.5 million reasonably priced houses in 5 years. This, together with the revival of stalled Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) initiatives throughout 17 places within the metropolis, and the issuance of occupation certificates to twenty,000 buildings inside a yr, brings the state’s ruling events’ housing plan to a full circle.

Through the manifesto launch in Mumbai, Eknath Shinde, declaring that the manifesto is “a step in the direction of fulfilling Bal Thackeray’s dream”, defined, “To facilitate redevelopment of the buildings, we’ve got tweaked our insurance policies and MHADA (Maharashtra Housing and Space Improvement Authority) guidelines.”

He added: “Now we have accepted 17 cluster initiatives, together with Cheeta Camp and Ketaki Pada to make Mumbai slum-free.”

Arguing that redevelopment is the one method to unlock housing potential in South Mumbai, the Mahayuti additionally guarantees a “pagdi-mukta” programme, which is able to dismantle a century-old hire association. Beneath the prevailing system, tenants pay a big lump sum to the owner upfront (the pagdi), and in return, get the correct to remain within the property at a really low hire—typically for many years. Nonetheless, many houses rented beneath the association at the moment are previous, unsafe, and never producing sufficient earnings for both social gathering to improve them.

Shinde framed the social gathering’s housing guarantees as corrective measures to reverse the migration of the unique Mumbaikars to distant suburbs, comparable to Vasai-Virar and Badlapur, insisting that redevelopment would be sure that the ‘Marathi manoos’ aren’t pressured to reside exterior Mumbai.

“Our goal is to respectfully carry them again,” Shinde stated.

CM Fadnavis supported large-scale redevelopment initiatives, together with in Dharavi, pledging that “residents of Dharavi shall be given a minimal 350 sq ft. home in Dharavi itself”.

The Thackerays’ previous considerations over land use, displacement, and transparency across the proposed Dharavi redevelopment undertaking formed their emphasis on smaller-scale, time-bound housing supply of their manifesto. Opposing opaque, “developer-driven” mega-projects, the Thackerays as a substitute promise a centralised approval and execution of housing initiatives beneath a brand new BMC Housing Authority, facilitating the development of reasonably priced housing models for one lakh Mumbaikaars inside a yr.

Dharavi is greater than only a slum, Udhhav earlier stated. His alliance’s manifesto says that Dharavi’s thriving leather-based and pottery companies will proceed within the space beneath the Sena-run BMC. Reviving an earlier proposal, A brand new Worldwide Finance Centre can be promised in Dharavi.

The alliance, which incorporates Sharad Pawar’s NCP too, has promised reasonably priced housing for workers of the BMC, the federal government, BEST, and mill staff.

“The BMC may have its personal housing authority, and one lakh reasonably priced homes shall be constructed within the subsequent 5 years,” the manifesto states. Free electrical energy as much as 100 models for all households, and a property tax waiver for houses measuring as much as 700 sq. toes are different proposals for almost 14 lakh Mumbaikars.

Ajit Pawar’s NCP has promised one lakh new reasonably priced houses whereas calling for quicker implementation of SRA schemes, and a whole waiver of property tax for houses as much as 700 sq. toes, positioning itself as a practical center floor between big-scale redevelopment and incremental reform.

The Congress-VBA alliance has centered on honest and clear redevelopment insurance policies and reasonably priced housing for low-income and middle-income teams. It additionally goals to deal with bettering civic governance, public companies, and high quality of life for residents, with an emphasis on inclusivity and transparency.

Its manifesto presents a “people-centric roadmap for Mumbai’s civic growth and goals to revive environment friendly, compassionate and responsive municipal governance”.

Transport and BEST

Public transport options prominently throughout manifestos, reflecting rising commuter frustration over overcrowding, unreliable buses, and ever-rising prices.

The Mahayuti has promised to increase the Brihanmumbai Electrical Provide and Transport Enterprise ‘BEST’ fleet from 5000 to 12,000 buses, together with the introduction of closed-door, air-conditioned suburban locals, with none fare hikes.

It has additionally promised to speed up metro development, whereas including 50 km of recent traces in 2026-27 and 80 km the next yr.

Its formidable coastal transport plan contains 21 jetties and water taxi companies, protecting round 200 nautical miles.

The Thackerays, in the meantime, have centered on affordability, proposing a flat BEST fare construction, beginning at Rs 5, and increasing the fleet with 10,000 electrical buses and 200 double-decker e-buses.

Public transport, it argues, should stay a welfare service reasonably than a revenue-driven utility.

The Mumbai Vikas Aghadi (MVA), because the Congress-VBA named itself, launched its manifesto on 6 January.

In it, the MVA proposes growing the BEST bus fleet to six,000 automobiles and opposing any type of privatisation. The manifesto additionally guarantees to carry suburban energy provide again beneath the BEST’s management and use income to cross-subsidise bus fares.

Ajit Pawar’s NCP has leaned into know-how, promising AI-enabled site visitors administration and smarter signalling to ease congestion, although there are fewer fare commitments in its manifesto.

---

Additionally Learn: ‘Pleasant combat’ turning intense? NCP factions weigh forming a entrance towards BJP in Pune, Pimpri polls

---

Air pollution and surroundings

Air high quality and surroundings have discovered their approach in all of the manifestos.

Beneath the state-appointed administrator, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Company opened two new bio-toilets final yr on the Mumbai Coastal Highway promenade, reflecting ongoing efforts to enhance public sanitation services within the metropolis.

Fadnavis Sunday emphasised the Mahayuti’s plans to speculate Rs 16,000 crore in constructing iconic infrastructure of Sewage Therapy Vegetation (STPs), which, he claimed, shall be accomplished inside two years, together with an funding of Rs 17,000 crore to enhance water and air high quality, cut back carbon emissions, and make Mumbai a sustainable metropolis.

He additionally acknowledged that the Mahayuti plans to fulfill town’s rising ingesting water demand and has already handed a young for the creation of the Gargai dam, although the forest division had denied  the permissions for the undertaking.

“We may also work on dams like Damanganga and Pinjal, which shall be prepared within the subsequent 5 years, and by 2060, the water necessities of the then inhabitants of Mumbai shall be met with these measures,” Fadnavis stated.

To deal with Mumbai’s air pollution woes, the Mahayuti plans to put in real-time Air High quality Index (AQI) show boards at main site visitors junctions and double the variety of AQI monitoring stations within the metropolis.

The NCP (Ajit Pawar) has branded its plan as a “Inexperienced Metropolis” initiative, committing to plant 10 lakh bushes.

The Thackeray alliance has plans of implementing what they name “Mumbai Local weather Motion Plan” (MCAP), beneath which they’d deal with city afforestation, safety of forests like Aarey, Sanjay Gandhi Nationwide Park within the metropolis and defending the endangered mangroves. In addition they plan to formulate a development administration programme to curb suspended particulate matter and enhance town’s worsening AQI.

Congress-VBA has additionally centered on local weather motion, prioritising higher water provide, sanitation, highway upkeep, drainage and strong waste administration throughout all elements of Mumbai, together with suburbs and slum areas.

Beneath its “Inexperienced Mumbai 2030” plan, the brand new alliance highlights measures to guard Mumbai’s surroundings, together with safeguarding open areas, bettering air high quality, and strengthening local weather resilience towards floods. In addition they plan to have stricter controls on development actions throughout town and real-time AQI monitoring.

Well being and schooling

The Thackeray brothers have proposed 24×7 well being management rooms, low-cost group kitchens providing meals at Rs 10, and free electrical energy as much as 100 models per family, framing these as important buffers towards rising city prices.

The NCP (AP) has centered on institutional upgrades, promising to transform municipal hospitals into 24×7 Arogya Kalyan Kendras, with tele-consultation services, and well being playing cards to municipal faculty college students.

It has additionally proposed modernised colleges with digital lecture rooms, AI-based studying instruments, and ward-level classrooms.

The Mahayuti manifesto targets Gen Z voters with a promise of internship programmes. Beneath ‘Mumbai Digital Sakhi’, it proposes to coach ladies in AI and coding programs.

Beneath the well being infrastructure, it has proposed free well being check-ups for senior residents in any respect municipal hospitals, together with the institution of medical faculties at each municipal hospital.

Within the case of the Congress-MVA alliance, strengthening municipal hospitals, increasing major well being centres, and guaranteeing reasonably priced healthcare companies for the poor and middle-class residents emerge as a serious focus within the manifesto.

Taking a stance towards the privatisation of BMC hospitals, the MVA guarantees embrace common well being playing cards to supply free important medicines to all residents, changing Seven Hills Hospital right into a premier essential care centre, and doubling the capability of ICU/NICU models. The manifesto additionally lists the introduction of real-time on-line mattress monitoring and the adoption of worldwide medical schooling requirements throughout all BMC services.

---

Additionally Learn: BJP’s sweep, enhance for Shinde, MVA’s fall—what native physique polls say about energy play in Maharashtra

---

Social infrastructure and insurance policies

The Thackerays have pledged ‘Swabhiman Nidhi’, a plan offering month-to-month help of Rs 1,500 for home staff, ‘Maa Saheb Kitchens’ for offering breakfast and lunch for labourers at a nominal value of Rs 10, and high-quality creches and clear bathrooms each two kilometres for ladies.

A lakh younger individuals will get interest-free monetary assist—starting from Rs 25,000 to Rs 1 lakh—beneath the Balasaheb Thackeray Self-Employment Scheme, together with interest-free loans for e-bikes, which shall be offered to 25,000 gig staff and Dabbawalas, in keeping with the manifesto.

The Mahayuti has pitched a women-centric interest-free mortgage facility of as much as Rs 5 lakh beneath the state-run ‘Ladki Bahin’ scheme, together with a reduced public transport system, however prevented broad-based tax waivers.

The NCP (Ajit Pawar) has centered on security and inclusion, with guarantees beneath the ‘Secure Mumbai’ marketing campaign for ladies, that includes elevated police patrolling, devoted helplines, and the development of working ladies’s hostels. For the youth, it intends to ascertain talent growth centres in each ward and organise municipal-level job gala’s and apprenticeship programmes.

The Congress-VBA alliance has promised particular consideration to ladies, senior residents, youth and marginalised communities by way of welfare schemes and social assist initiatives.

“5 p.c every of the BMC price range shall be allotted for the welfare of members belonging to the Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) communities,” the manifesto states.

Safety & id politics

Past civic points, the manifestos mirror the sharp political divides beneath the umbrella of ‘Marathi manoos’.

The Mahayuti has explicitly linked city governance to nationwide safety, accusing rivals of Muslim appeasement and warning of Mumbai being infiltrated by unlawful immigrants. Its manifesto highlights the event of an AI-based device in coordination with IIT Bombay to determine “unlawful Bangladesh nationals and Rohingyas”, a promise that aligns carefully with its broader narrative.

Fadnavis claimed that “within the final yr, the very best variety of Bangladeshis have been discovered and deported, and it will proceed.”

Mahayuti’s manifesto additionally discusses constructing a Marathi Kala Kendra and introducing the historical past of Marathi and the ‘Samyukta Maharashtra’ motion within the faculty syllabus.

Shinde stated, “In three and a half years, we’ve got labored in Mumbai, and this work is in entrance of you. That is for the well-being of Mumbai’s Marathi individuals and the safety of the Marathi language and Marathi tradition.”

MNS chief Raj Thackeray, unveiling their manifesto, revived the emotive concern of migration from North India. Framing the civic polls as a decisive second for the ‘Marathi manoos’, Thackeray warned them towards the tide of migrants from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar and towards “the imposition of Hindi and the erosion of Maharashtra’s linguistic and cultural id”.

“I don’t hate the language, however for those who attempt to impose it, I’ll kick you. They’re coming from all sides to Maharashtra and snatching away your share. If land and language are gone, you may be completed. In the present day, this disaster has arrived at the doorstep,” he stated, including that the upcoming civic elections could possibly be the “final election for the Marathi man”.

Contemplating the ‘Marathi manoos’ agenda is one among its vital ballot planks, the MVA’s manifesto stated, “On BMC-owned land, dignified and reasonably priced housing throughout the metropolis shall be ensured for Marathi residents and long-term settlers.”

Whereas avoiding express identity-based rhetoric, the MVA has reiterated its dedication to the Marathi language, offering employment to the locals, and cultural preservation by way of governance reasonably than surveillance.

Ajit Pawar’s NCP, then again, has not made any guarantees which might be solely primarily based on Marathi id.