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BMC Elections 2026: Will ‘Marathi Manoos’ Decide The Winner Of Mumbai Civic Polls?

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Mumbai: The upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, scheduled for January 15, 2026, are set to be a definitive battle for Mumbai’s soul. At the heart of this contest is the ‘Marathi Manoos’ factor, a demographic that comprises approximately over 30 per cent of the city’s electorate but holds disproportionate influence over the narrative of ‘Marathi Asmita’ (pride).

With the split in the Shiv Sena and the emergence of competing claims for the Marathi vote, several key wards and areas have become the primary battlegrounds.

Traditionally, the epicentre of Marathi politics, these areas are the birthplace of the Shiv Sena.

The Dynamics: These wards have seen a shift from mill-worker-dominated chawls to luxury high-rises. However, the core identity remains fiercely Marathi.

Key Conflict: This is a prestige battle for the Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena (UBT) to retain its home turf against the Eknath Shinde-led Sena, which claims the true legacy of Bal Thackeray. The MNS (Maharashtra Navnirman Sena) under Raj Thackeray also remains a potent third force here, often acting as a ‘spoiler’ or a kingmaker.

While the western suburbs are often associated with Gujarati and North Indian populations, specific areas like Vile Parle (East) and Dahisar have dense Marathi clusters.

Vile Parle (Ward K-East): Known as a cultural hub, the Marathi middle class here is vocal and politically active. The BJP is aggressively courting this segment by promising a ‘Marathi Mayor,’ a strategic move to peel away traditional Sena loyalists.

Dahisar (Ward R-North): As one of the last frontiers of the city, Dahisar has a major ‘Bhumiputra’ population. Issues of local redevelopment and infrastructure are being framed through the lens of preserving Marathi areas.

The eastern suburbs house a massive Marathi-speaking population, particularly in the lower-middle-class and labour segments.

Bhandup & Mulund (Ward S): Bhandup has historically seen high-voltage clashes between the Sena and MNS. The ‘Marathi vs Outsider’ narrative often surfaces here regarding job opportunities and housing.

Chembur (Ward M-West): This area sees a mix of Dalit-Marathi and upper-caste Marathi voters. The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) is counting on a consolidated Marathi-Dalit-Muslim front, while the Mahayuti is focusing on splitting the Marathi vote through the Shinde faction’s ‘Sons of the Soil’ rhetoric.

In a historic departure from its usual plank of ‘Vikas’ (Development), the BJP has recently declared that if the Mahayuti alliance wins, the Mayor of Mumbai will be a Marathi Manoos. This is a direct attempt to neutralise the ‘Anti-Marathi’ tag often used against the party by the Sena UBT faction.

The Thackeray Cousins: Reports of a tactical understanding between Uddhav and Raj Thackeray could consolidate the Marathi vote.

Delimitation Impact: With nearly 20-25 per cent of ward boundaries modified in the recent rectification, traditional vote banks have been disrupted, making grassroots mobilisation critical.

Housing & Displacement: The ‘Marathi Manoos’ being pushed out of Mumbai to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) due to high costs is a primary emotional trigger that the opposition will use against the ruling dispensation.

As January 15 approaches, these wards will not just decide who controls the country’s richest civic body, but also who truly represents the Marathi identity in the city.

Maharashtra

Demanding to convene a joint meeting regarding preparations for Eid-ul-Adha, MLA Abu Asim Azmi sends a letter to Devendra Fadnavis

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Mumbai: Ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, Samajwadi Party leader and MLA Abu Asim Azmi has met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and demanded a joint meeting regarding the preparations for Eid-ul-Azha. He presented a formal letter to the Chief Minister at the Secretariat, requesting him to immediately convene an important meeting to review the state-level preparations. Drawing the Chief Minister’s attention, MLA Azmi informed him that Eid-ul-Azha will be celebrated on May 27, 2026. He stressed the need to make timely and robust administrative arrangements as Eid-ul-Azha is approaching. He requested the Chief Minister to invite the relevant administrative authorities, religious leaders and religious organizations to resolve the issues related to Eid-ul-Adha and after listening to the problems faced by Muslims during Eid-ul-Adha, issue instructions to the administration to take necessary action in this regard. This meeting should be held soon under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister so that Muslims do not face any kind of difficulty during Eid-ul-Adha.

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Maharashtra

Survey of cleanliness work in the western suburbs of Mumbai… Continuous cleaning of roads is essential, Additional Municipal Commissioner directs

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The common citizens of Mumbai should take up the task of cleanliness so that they find the roads and streets clean after leaving their homes. There should be continuity in daily work to promote awareness regarding cleanliness and to create an effective image of the administration. Additional Municipal Commissioner (Western Suburbs) Dr. Vipin Sharma said that the cleaning of public roads and streets in Mumbai should be started as per the rules and on time. Additional Municipal Commissioner (Western Suburbs) Dr. Vipin Sharma personally visited the area this morning. The inspection visit included cleaning of Karar Nallah, Saptarshi Nallah, Shivaji Chowk Nallah in Malad (East) in P-East section, Piramal Nallah in Malad (West) in P-South section, Oshiwara River, Ramchandra Nallah in Malad (West) in P-West section, Ponla Hans, West Nallah, Ponla Hans section in P-West section. Although there is still time for the onset of monsoon, the Municipal Corporation is busy in preparations for the onset of monsoon. It should be ensured that the cleaning of drains is completed by May 31, 2026 in any case. Also, the garbage and sludge floating in the drains should be removed immediately. In this work, in coordination with the local public representatives, they should be informed about the cleaning of drains from time to time, Dr. Sharma directed the officers of the Municipal Corporation.

Chairman of ‘P East’ and ‘P West’ Divisional Committee Haider Ali Aslam Sheikh, Local Corporator Tejinder Singh Tiwana, Local Corporator Siddharth Sharma, Deputy Commissioner (Zone 4) Dr. Bhagya Sri Kapse, Assistant Commissioner (P East) Rupali Sarmalkar, Assistant Commissioner (P North) Kundan Valvi, Assistant Commissioner (P South) Aniruddha Kulkarni, Assistant Commissioner (K ​​West) Shri Chakrapani Ale and other concerned officers were present on the occasion.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai: A case of sexual exploitation under the pretext of marriage has been registered against social media influencer Anwar Khan.

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Mumbai: A case has been registered against social media influencer Anwar Khan in Mumbai under the rape, assault and IT Act. He sexually abused the victim on the pretext of marriage. He sexually abused and cheated on the victim several times in Mumbai, Nagpur and UP from 2021 to 2026 but later refused to marry and also forced the victim to have an abortion. The police registered a case in this case on April 8. An FIR has been registered against social media influencer Anwar Khan, who is known for showcasing his lavish lifestyle online. The Sahar police station has registered an FIR No. 324 of 2026 under Section 67-A of the IT Act as well as Sections 89, 69, 115(2), 351(2) of the Bharatiya Naya Samhita, 2023. The complainant has alleged physical abuse, harassment and forcible sexual assault at multiple places. In a disturbing claim, she says she was threatened at gunpoint and given death threats. An FIR was registered as the accused is currently absconding, no arrests have been made yet. The police are investigating the matter further.

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