Mumbai political pitch peaks ahead of BMC polling
Mumbai witnessed intense political activity ahead of the BMC elections as parties made last-minute appeals centred on Marathi identity and Hindutva, with the Thackeray cousins showing rare unity and changes announced in the vote counting process
Mumbai: With only hours remaining before voting for the high-stakes Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections commences, the political atmosphere in Mumbai has reached a fever pitch.
Polling for the 227 electoral wards is set to begin at 7.30 a.m. on Thursday, after a campaign marked by a dramatic realignment of the Thackeray family and strong attempts to build sentiment around Marathi identity and Hindutva.
Shiv Sena(UBT) MP Sanjay Raut amplified the Thackeray brothers’ unity on social media, issuing a passionate appeal to Mumbaikars. His post, which quickly went viral, featured the slogan: “All Marathi people have decided… If we are together, we are safe! And Thackeray is the best.”
Raut urged voters to stand firmly behind the combined strength of the Thackeray cousins to protect the city’s regional interests and Marathi identity.
Responding to the Thackeray camp’s focus on regional pride, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) intensified its pitch for Hindutva. BJP Minister Nitesh Rane took to social media to strike a contrasting note, posting: “Hindus have decided, I Love Mahadev…”.
Minister Rane’s message is seen as a strategic move to consolidate the Hindu vote bank, framing the election as a choice for the city’s ideological future.
In a related development, the Thackeray cousins, Uddhav Thackeray (Shiv SenaUBT) and Raj Thackeray (MNS), showed a rare display of unity on Wednesday. Both leaders, accompanied by their families, met at Raj Thackeray’s residence, Shivtirth, in Dadar.
Following the meeting, the duo visited the iconic Mumbadevi Temple to seek blessings before the commencement of the polls.
Meanwhile, the State Election Commission has introduced a significant change in the counting process for 2026. Unlike the 2017 elections, where all 227 wards were counted simultaneously, this year’s results will be processed in stages.
The counting process will begin on Friday morning, January 16. Mumbai has 23 designated counting officers, each responsible for around 10 wards. Only two wards per officer will be counted at any given time, meaning a maximum of 46 wards will be tallied simultaneously across the city.
This phased approach has sparked some concern among candidates regarding delays in early trends and final results.
Over one crore eligible voters are expected to cast their ballots.
The outcome of the election is seen as a litmus test for the Thackeray alliance and the ruling Mahayuti’s influence over India’s wealthiest civic body.