Maharashtra
BMC Elections 2026: Will ‘Marathi Manoos’ Decide The Winner Of Mumbai Civic Polls?
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.
Business
RBI’s 3-day MPC meeting begins today; all eyes on repo rate decision

Mumbai, Aug 3: The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) three-day Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting — led by Governor Sanjay Malhotra — begins on Monday with investors and economists closely tracking the central bank’s assessment of inflation, economic growth and the future interest rate trajectory ahead of the policy decision due on August 5.
The policy announcement is expected to provide cues on the outlook for interest rates, liquidity conditions and the broader economy amid an uncertain global environment.
Many analysts expect the six-member MPC to keep the policy repo rate unchanged at 5.25 per cent after maintaining the status quo in its June meeting.
According to SBI Research, the RBI is likely to leave policy rates unchanged as consumer price inflation is expected to remain above 5 per cent over the next two quarters, while domestic economic activity has shown signs of strengthening.
The report said Q1 FY27 GDP growth could exceed 7 per cent, higher than earlier estimates.
It further stated that an explicitly dovish message from the central bank appears unlikely in view of oil price volatility, pressure on the rupee and caution over external capital flows.
However, the report noted that domestic fundamentals have improved helped by strong capital inflows in July, a recovery in foreign exchange buffers, better monsoon conditions and near-normal reservoir levels.
Additionally, at its previous policy review in June, the RBI had unanimously retained the repo rate at 5.25 per cent and kept its policy stance neutral.
The central bank also revised its FY27 GDP growth forecast to 6.6 per cent amid geopolitical tensions.
Markets will also closely watch the RBI’s commentary on inflation risks, growth prospects and global developments for signals on the future course of monetary policy.
Maharashtra
UP gangster wanted under Gangster Act arrested from Mumbai, major police operation UP police sent accused to UP

Mumbai: Police has succeeded in arresting a gangster and gang leader from Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh. He is residing here hiding his identity. Mumbai Police received information that he is hiding in Bay Hotel. After which Yellow Gate Police arrested gangster and gang leader Nishant Rajesh Singh (23), wanted in three cases in Sitapur. In the initial investigation, he tried to mislead the police, but later he told that he belongs to UP and later Mumbai Police contacted Uttar Pradesh Police and it came to know that he is wanted in three cases in Sitapur including theft, illegal weapons, Gangster Act, after which UP Police came to Mumbai today and took the accused into custody and took him to Uttar Pradesh. This operation was carried out by DCP Vijay Kant Sagar on the instructions of Mumbai Police Commissioner Devin Bharti.
Maharashtra
A very rare surgery: Rajawadi Hospital team successfully removes a 5.5 kg, 30 cm tumor from the uterus of a 46-year-old woman

A 46-year-old woman from Mankhurd, Mumbai, had been suffering from health problems like persistent abdominal swelling, abdominal pain and difficulty in breathing for the past two years. In view of these symptoms, she sought treatment at the Outpatient Department (OPD) of the Gynaecology Department at BMC-run Seth Vadelal Chhatrapati Gandhi and Monji Amidas Vora Municipal General Hospital (Rajawadi Hospital) in Ghatkopar. The hospital team successfully removed a tumour weighing around 5.5 kg and measuring 30 cm from the patient’s uterus. As her symptoms worsened significantly, a comprehensive review of her medical history, physical examination and necessary diagnostic tests were conducted. These tests revealed a uterine tumour measuring around 30 cm. Initial diagnosis suggested that the mass was a ‘giant leiomyoma’ (fibroid). All necessary precautions and planning were taken to deal with possible complications during and after the surgery, and the procedure was performed later. Dr. Swadina B. Mohanty, Dr. Shalini Bagaria, Dr. Arva Kamble, and Dr. Kajal Salvi played a key role in the surgery performed by the Gynecology Department. Dr. Shreyash and Dr. Netra, under the guidance of anesthesiologist Dr. Chhavi, managed the anesthesia team. Additionally, surgical staff nurse Neelakshi Guru and her team provided vital support during the surgery. Due to the large size of the tumor and the extensive network of blood vessels, the surgery was performed with utmost care. The 5.5 kg tumor removed during the procedure has been sent for histopathological examination, and the final report is awaited. Post-surgery, the patient received specialized care and was discharged from the hospital on the fifth day in excellent health. Cases of such large uterine tumors are extremely rare.
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