BMC Poll Push Begins: Eknath Shinde Hits Mumbai Streets, Calls for United Sena Fight on January 15

Mumbai: As preparations for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections gather pace, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has stepped up his ground-level campaign across Mumbai. Shinde visited multiple Shiv Sena party offices in North Mumbai, signalling the start of an aggressive outreach drive ahead of the crucial civic polls scheduled for January 15.

Shinde held meetings with party workers and local leaders in Dahisar, Borivali, Kandivali, Malad and Magathane. During these interactions, he urged Shiv Sainiks to remain united, disciplined and fully mobilised to ensure a strong performance in what is considered India’s richest municipal corporation election.

Referring to the official announcement of the BMC polls, Shinde said the political contest in Mumbai had clearly begun. Using a local metaphor to energise workers, he remarked that the “betel nut has been broken and the wedding rush has started”, indicating that the real electoral battle is now underway.

The Deputy Chief Minister emphasised that the coming weeks would be decisive and called on party cadres to work tirelessly to hoist the saffron flag at the BMC headquarters. He said organisational strength at the booth and ward levels would play a key role in determining the outcome of the elections.

Highlighting governance achievements, Shinde spoke about the development work carried out during his two-and-a-half-year tenure as Chief Minister, followed by initiatives taken under the leadership of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the Mahayuti government. According to him, Mumbai residents are aware of the scale of infrastructure and civic improvements undertaken during this period.

Shinde said that issues such as housing, redevelopment, infrastructure upgrades and basic civic amenities remain the government’s top priorities. He pointed to policy decisions aimed at making home ownership more accessible and improving the quality of life for Mumbai’s residents.

He also referred to efforts towards creating a slum-free Mumbai, resolving long-pending problems faced by residents living around the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, and speeding up the redevelopment of old and unsafe buildings across the city. These initiatives, he said, reflect the government’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable urban development.

Expressing confidence in the ruling alliance, Shinde said the Mahayuti government has been performing effectively across Maharashtra and predicted a similar success in the BMC elections. He described the alliance’s approach as a “double engine” government that would now work at “triple engine speed” to transform Mumbai.

Calling for a decisive mandate, Shinde appealed to party workers to aim for a massive victory on January 15 and said celebrations should follow once the results are declared the next day.