Cities like Mumbai, Thane and Pune have been in dire need of better roads, flood control and public transport but the discourse has intentionally veered sharply toward divisive narratives. Thackerays, Ties and Division: A Civic Election Like Never Before in Maharashtra - The Wire
On January 11, the Bharatiya Janata Party, along with its allies Shiv Sena and Republican Party Of India (Athawale) released its manifesto for Mumbai. Among the list of promises, including 50% concession on BEST bus tickets, the most curious of all is the plan to “use artificial intelligence (AI)” in identifying “Bangladeshi and Rohingya immigrants” in the city. Unveiling the manifesto, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said that the highest number of Bangladeshi and Rohingya migrants are residing in the city and that the state will take help from IIT to design an AI tool that will help identify the “infiltration”.
This election has many firsts.
The Mahayuti – BJP, Shiv Sena (Shinde) and NCP (Ajit Pawar) – that is in power in the state are contesting together in some places and in some, they have pitted candidates against each other. The Mahavikas Aghadi, that once comprised Uddhav Thackeray’s Sena, Congress and Sharad Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party too have split in several places and are fighting separate battles.
Sukanya Shantha
14/01/2026