Mumbai: Following a crushing setback in the recent Maharashtra Assembly elections, fresh signs of trouble are emerging for the Uddhav Thackeray–led Shiv Sena (UBT) in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls.
After ruling India’s richest civic body for more than 25 years, the Thackeray family now faces a formidable challenge from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). According to early trends, the BJP is leading in 66 wards, while Shiv Sena (UBT) is ahead in only 53.
Raj Thackeray Alliance Backfires
Political observers believe that Uddhav Thackeray’s alliance with Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) may have proved counterproductive. Raj Thackeray’s past rhetoric against North Indian migrants is seen as having alienated Mumbai’s sizeable North Indian voter base, a decisive bloc in several wards. Much of this vote appears to have consolidated behind the BJP, dealing a significant blow to the Shiv Sena (UBT).
Anti-Incumbency and Strategic Missteps
Analysts also point to strong anti-incumbency sentiment after nearly two-and-a-half decades of Shiv Sena dominance in the BMC. Uddhav Thackeray’s camp struggled to counter this mood, while shortcomings in campaign strategy further weakened its position.
While BJP leaders mounted an aggressive grassroots campaign—organising rallies and door-to-door outreach—Shiv Sena (UBT) largely relied on press conferences and online engagements, limiting direct voter interaction. In contrast, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s high-visibility approach, including motorcycle rallies and street-level campaigning, helped generate momentum in the BJP’s favour.
Cracks in the ‘Marathi Manoos’ Base
Traditionally loyal ‘Marathi Manoos’ voters also appear divided this time. The BJP made inroads by projecting its leadership as firmly rooted in Maharashtra, with Fadnavis emphasising his Marathi identity and origins within the state. Early results suggest that appeals to Marathi pride—long a cornerstone of Thackeray politics—failed to deliver the expected electoral advantage.
With trends pointing away from Shiv Sena (UBT), political circles suggest that retaining control of the BMC would now require an extraordinary turnaround. The outcome could mark a historic shift in Mumbai’s civic power structure and a defining moment in Maharashtra’s political landscape.
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