MNS chief Raj Thackeray and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray release manifesto for BMC elections, at Shiv Sena Bhavan in Mumbai on January 4, 2026
| Photo Credit: ANI
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray on Sunday (January 4, 2026) released their joint manifesto, Vachan Nama (promissory note), for the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, while demanding cancellation of elections in wards where candidates have been elected unopposed.
The two leaders accused the BJP-led Mahayuti of “stealing candidates” and eroding democratic norms ahead of the January 15 civic elections.
The manifesto was launched at Shiv Sena Bhavan, marking Mr. Raj Thackeray’s first visit to the party headquarters in nearly two decades after his 2005 exit. Although the alliance includes the Nationalist Congress Party (SP), no senior leader from that party was present at the event.
The document outlines sweeping promises across housing, transport, health and education. It pledges affordable housing for Mumbaikars, stating that city land will be reserved for residents and announcing one lakh affordable homes in five years. A dedicated BMC housing authority will be set up. Property tax will be waived on homes up to 700 sq. ft., and redevelopment rules will ensure one parking slot per flat.
Women voters were a key focus. The alliance promised Swabhiman Nidhi, a ₹1,500 monthly allowance for house helps and Koli women, similar to the State’s Ladki Bahin Yojana. It also proposed clean restrooms for women on major roads and creches in every Assembly segment for working parents.
Other welfare measures include 100 units of free electricity through Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST), though the manifesto does not clarify whether this applies citywide or only to areas served by the undertaking. A meal scheme akin to Shiv Bhojan Thali will offer breakfast and lunch at ₹10. Financial aid ranging from ₹25,000 to ₹1 lakh for self-employment and an interest-free ₹25,000 loan for gig workers have also been promised.
On transport, the alliance vowed to cut the minimum bus fare to ₹5 from ₹10 and introduce new buses and routes. Health initiatives include five new medical colleges in civic hospitals, a super-speciality cancer hospital and rapid bike medical assistance. Education reforms propose Mumbai Public Schools with classes from kindergarten to Class 12. Pet parks, clinics, ambulances and crematoriums are also listed.
Mr. Uddhav Thackeray used the occasion to launch a sharp attack on the ruling alliance, alleging misuse of BMC funds since his government was toppled in June 2022. “If the BMC’s expenditure budget is ₹15,000 crore, then the amount needed to be given to contractors in the form of advance mobilisation is ₹3 lakh crore,” he claimed, alleging kickbacks were funding the polls.
He demanded suspension of Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar for “threatening candidates and voters” and urged the State Election Commission (SEC) to cancel elections in wards with unopposed wins. “You have stolen the right to vote from voters by electing candidates unopposed. By-elections should take place at these places,” he said, calling the situation “mobocracy” and warning that Gen-Z voters were being denied their franchise.
He also challenged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to release call records of Returning Officers (RO). Taking a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mr. Uddhav Thackeray remarked, “We have no comparison with PM Modi, who built Mount Kailash and brought the Ganga to Earth. He was the one who did Samudra Manthan! We are still waiting for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s statue to come out from the sea where PM Modi had done poojan years ago.”
Mr. Raj Thackeray echoed concerns over unopposed victories, asking why the BJP, which had gone to the Supreme Court of India over similar cases in West Bengal, was silent now. “Power is not permanent. If they think they will never be removed, they should rethink,” he said, asserting that the Mayor of Mumbai and other cities would be Marathi and warning that Maharashtra was being turned into Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
Hours later, Shiv Sena leader and former MP Rahul Shewale called the manifesto “ideologically bankrupt” and a “copy-paste of 2017.” He said three words — Hinduhṛday Samrat, Hindutva and Marathi Manoos — were deliberately omitted, alleging the Thackerays had abandoned Balasaheb Thackeray’s ideals. Mr. Shewale claimed promises such as a medical college, 24×7 water supply through Gargai–Pinjal project, and a seawater desalination plant were recycled. “The manifesto may carry Balasaheb’s photograph, but its soul is missing,” he said, adding that Shiv Sena will soon unveil a five-year action plan focused on Marathi people and entrepreneurs.
Published – January 04, 2026 07:45 pm IST