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BMC Elections 2026 | Sena vs Sena: The Battle For 10 Key Wards That Will Determine Who Rules The Marathi Heartland

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Mumbai: As Mumbai gears up for the high-stakes Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections on January 15, 2026, the city is witnessing a historic realignment. For the first time, the ‘Thackeray’ brand has seen a reconciliation, with Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) and Raj Thackeray’s MNS forming a strategic alliance to secure the Marathi Manoos vote bank.

Opposing them is the formidable Mahayuti combine, where Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena, backed by the BJP, aims to prove that the ‘real’ Sena is the one delivering development. With the Marathi identity at the centre of the campaign, here are 10 key battleground wards where the Sena-vs-Sena conflict might determine who truly holds the key to the Marathi heartland.

Often called the ‘centre’ of Sena politics, this is Aaditya Thackeray’s home turf. The split here is personal; while UBT retains stalwarts like Kishori Pednekar, the Shinde faction has poached sitting former corporators like Samadhan Sarvankar. It is a prestige battle for the Thackeray legacy.

Dadar is the birthplace of the Shiv Sena. With the Sena UBT-MNS alliance, the Thackeray cousins are aiming to consolidate the traditional Marathi votes in areas like Shivaji Park. Shinde’s Sena is countering this with a heavy focus on local redevelopment promises.

The heart of the former mill land, this ward is the quintessential Marathi bastion. Historically loyal to the ‘Bow and Arrow,’ the voters here are now torn between the emotional appeal of Matoshree and the administrative power of the current Deputy Chief Minister.

A massive suburban Marathi stronghold where the Sena has never lost its grip. This ward will test whether the ground-level Shakha workers stayed with Uddhav or migrated to Shinde for better resources.

In the northern tip of the city, Dahisar’s Marathi population has traditionally balanced the scales. It is a high-intensity zone where the Shinde faction has made significant inroads through infrastructure projects recently.

A mix of middle-class housing and slums, this ward saw a glimpse of the rivalry during the 2022 polls. It remains a litmus test for the MVA-MNS combine’s ability to hold the Marathi-speaking labour class.

Chembur has a dense Marathi-speaking pocket that has consistently sent Sena corporators to the BMC. The battle here is over who can claim the heritage of Balasaheb Thackeray more convincingly.

While Ghatkopar has a large Gujarati population, the Marathi areas in Pant Nagar are decisive. The Shinde faction is leaning on its alliance with the BJP here to squeeze the UBT-MNS combine.

Directly adjacent to Matoshree, this ward is a matter of survival for the Sena UBT. Any loss here would be a major blow to the Thackeray family’s local influence.

Though often viewed as a BJP fortress, the Marathi areas in Mulund are the ‘swing’ voters. The Sena UBT-MNS alliance is betting big on these voters to disrupt the Mahayuti’s dominance.

As the campaign enters its final stretch, the narrative is clear: Eknath Shinde is campaigning on Double-Engine development, while the Thackeray alliance is invoking the spirit of the Samyukta Maharashtra movement and Marathi Asmita (pride). On January 16, Mumbai will finally know who the Marathi Manoos has chosen as their true guardian.

Maharashtra

The Constitution of India has protected the oppressed and the Muslims. Abu Asim Azmi

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Mumbai: The Constitution has given its rights to the oppressed and Muslims. Through reservation, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar has eliminated the difference between the weak and the strong. He has given equal rights to everyone in the Constitution. Today, efforts are being made to abolish the Constitution of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. Such views were expressed by Member of Parliament Abu Asim Azmi today on Ambedkar Jayanti. He said that today, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s Constitution is the basis on which even the weakest person in the country can raise his voice against the powerful of the country, but attempts are being made to suppress this constitutional right. Whenever there is a problem, a double-edged sword is adopted towards the ruling party and the opposition. This is completely wrong. The Constitution has taught us the lesson of equality and equity. We will continue to fight to the last drop of our blood to ensure the protection and development of the Constitution. He said that Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar has also given us the skill of upholding the Constitution and democratic values ​​and he has given equal status to everyone. But unfortunately, today the government is plotting to abolish reservation and this is the reason why inequality has arisen in the country. Communalism is on the rise and this is the reason why there is an atmosphere of hatred in the country. The Constitution has never discriminated in the country, but today those in power are trying to weaken the constitutional values.

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Maharashtra

Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, the creator of modern India, Governor Jashnudevarma’s address at Chetiya Bhoomi in Mumbai, tributes

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Mumbai: Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s contribution in the formation of modern India is unparalleled. Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar saw education as the most effective means of freedom. He established colleges that catered to socially and economically backward students and played a very important and influential role in spreading education to the weaker sections of the society.
Even as the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constitution, Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar ensured constitutional provisions like fundamental rights, abolition of untouchability. Dr. Ambedkar was a pioneer of equality. He supported women’s rights, advocated equal opportunities in education, property and personal freedom. Governor Jishnu Dev Verma, while saluting this great man, said that it was because of him that India gave equal voting rights to women from the first day of its Republic.
On this occasion, Governor Jishnu Dev Verma said, “I am happy to know about the progress of construction of a grand memorial dedicated to Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar at Indo Mill Compound.
Sunetra Ajit Pawar, Mayor Ritu Tawde, Ministers Prakash Ambedkar Bhim Rao Ambedkar, and other dignitaries today paid floral tributes at the Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Chetiya Bhoomi Memorial in Dadar.
Chairman of the Legislative Council Prof. Ram Shinde, Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Anna Bansude, Minister for Cultural Affairs and Information Technology and Minister in-charge of Mumbai Suburban District Ashish Shelar, Minister for Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Innovation and Joint Minister in-charge of Mumbai Suburban District Mangal Prabhat Lodha, Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Jachgan Bhujbal, Minister for Social Justice Sanjay Sharasat, Minister for Soil and Water Conservation Sanjay Rathore, Former Minister Vijay (Bhai) Girkar, Chief Secretary of the State of Maharashtra Rajesh Agarwal, Principal Secretary, Social Justice Department Dr. Harshdeep Kamble, former MP Rahul Shivale, All India Bhikkhu Sangh President Dr. Rahul Bodhi Mahathru, former Minister Deepak Kesarkar, Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide, Konkan Divisional Commissioner Rubel Agarwal, Director General of Police Dr. Sadanand Datta, Deputy Commissioner (Zone 2) Prashant Sapkale, Assistant Commissioner of G-North Division Vinayak Vijpute, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s grandson Bhimrao Ambedkar, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Mahapari Nirvana Day Coordination Committee General Secretary Nagasin Kamble, etc. along with dignitaries from all walks of life and followers of Dr. Babasaheb were present in large numbers. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on the occasion, “The more we salute Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, the bigger the change we can bring. Because Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar has shown us how much of a revolution one person can bring about. Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar is such a personality that if the most programs are organized on the occasion of the birth anniversary of any person in the world, then Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar” Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar We get to see these programs in every corner of the world and these programs in a way pay tribute to his work.
Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar had mentioned the need for a central bank in India in his article “Issues of the Indian Rupee”. Secondly, he had said that for years our currency (currency) has been running on the silver standard, it should be abolished and made the gold standard. And thirdly, he had said that do not look at the exchange rate, look at the purchasing power of the currency.
The proposal made by Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar in 1923 is becoming the most important in today’s global economy.
Our Constitution has built our economy and that is why we are now the third economy in the world and soon we will be the second and first. We will get a position on the side. Our Constitution is the direction of this development and the author of this Constitution is Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar.
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, while interacting with the audience in today’s program, said, “Today, Bhimsagar has flown over the Chetiya Bhoomi. And I salute all this Bhimsagar. Today, we have all gathered to bow down to the Sun of Wisdom, we have gathered to salute it. This is not only Ambedkar’s birth anniversary, but also a celebration of the conscience and self-respect of the entire India. Babasaheb gave self-respect to the country. Babasaheb did the work of showing the direction of equality and humanity. Babasaheb is not only the architect of the Constitution, but he is also the architect of humanity first and foremost.

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Crime

NESCO Drugs Party Crackdown: Kalyan-Based Builder Arrested After Hour-Long Police Standoff

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Kalyan, April 14: In a major breakthrough in the high-profile NESCO Centre drugs party case, Mumbai Police have arrested alleged drug supplier Anand Patel, a Kalyan-based businessman, following a late-night raid that turned into a tense hour-long standoff.

According to officials, the operation was carried out with the assistance of Khadakpada Police after Mumbai Police received specific intelligence that Patel was hiding at his residence in Kalyan West. A police team immediately rushed to the location and coordinated with local authorities to execute the arrest.

Senior officers, including Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Atul Zende, were informed about the operation. Subsequently, a joint team led by Senior Police Inspector Amarnath Waghmode, along with officers Bhushan Devre, Kiran Shirke, Sanjay Chavan, Kundan Bhamre, and Suraj Khandale, reached the upscale Mohan Heights residential complex where Patel resides.

At the premises, police first encountered Patel’s father, Lakhan Patel, a businessman, who allegedly tried to mislead the officers by claiming that his son was not in Kalyan and had gone out of town. He also reportedly attempted to evade questioning, which further raised suspicion among the police team.

Acting on strong intelligence inputs, police escorted Lakhan Patel to the eighth-floor apartment. However, despite repeated knocking and instructions, the occupants refused to open the door. The situation soon escalated into a tense standoff, with police waiting outside for nearly an hour.

Officials made it clear that they would not leave without taking Patel into custody. Eventually, after continuous persuasion and intervention by his father, Anand Patel opened the door and was immediately detained by the police. Sources revealed that Patel had celebrated his birthday just two days earlier, and several relatives were present inside the house during the raid.

Following his detention, Khadakpada Police formally handed him over to Mumbai Police for further investigation in the NESCO drugs party case.

Preliminary investigation suggests that Patel, who claims to be a builder, played a key role in supplying drugs at the party. He is believed to have acted as a crucial link between the party organiser and drug suppliers. Police are now probing his wider network and suspect that he may have been involved in drug distribution activities in Kalyan and nearby areas as well.

Officials also stated that Patel’s father, Lakhan Patel, has multiple criminal cases registered against him, and his role, if any, will also be examined as part of the ongoing investigation. Further investigation is underway, and more arrests are likely as the probe deepens.

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