Mumbai's Poll Mood: BJP Ahead, But Thackeray Legacy Keeps Sena Camps In BMC Fight
A survey reveals a growing sense of dissatisfaction among Mumbaikars, not just with the prolonged absence of elected corporators, but also the way administrators have run the show
As Mumbai readies itself for the crucial Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, the city's political pulse is getting harder to ignore.
According to a private survey—Vote Vibe—the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) continues to lead the race, but the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction is far from out, riding on a wave of emotional connect, legacy politics, and discontent against the current civic setup.
The survey findings reveal a growing sense of dissatisfaction among Mumbaikars—not just with the prolonged absence of elected corporators, but also with the way administrators have run the show for over two years. Many citizens feel ignored, voiceless, and stuck with an inefficient civic structure.
'There's no one to hold accountable. The roads are broken, the drains are clogged, and nobody is answerable," said Rukmini Sharma, a schoolteacher from Kurla. 'We miss the days when we could approach our corporators directly."
While BJP is banking on its strong organisational setup and state-central government coordination to push its 'development-first" narrative, the survey indicates that it's not a one-sided battle. SHS-UBT, though weakened structurally after the split, continues to draw support—especially in Marathi heartland pockets where Balasaheb Thackeray's image still looms large.
A striking trend observed in the survey is the emotional weight carried by the Thackeray surname. Aaditya Thackeray's outreach and Uddhav Thackeray's consistent connect with the grassroots have kept their faction politically relevant. 'Mumbai belongs to Balasaheb. His family still speaks our language," said Vinay Pawar, a 38-year-old resident of Dadar.
Interestingly, the idea of Uddhav and Raj Thackeray joining hands—though both party leaders are just making statements and no official talks have begun as of now—shows surprising support among voters. Many believe a united Thackeray front could re-energise the Shiv Sena brand and reclaim its central space in Mumbai politics.
At many places in Mumbai, like Goregaon in western suburbs and Girgaon in South Mumbai, supporters of both Thackeray brothers have put a banner urging them to reunite for betterment of 'Marathi Manoos'. Even Shiv Sena UBT mouthpiece 'Saamana', while quoting Uddhav Thackeray, said: 'What is there is in the heart of Marathi Manoos, it will happen." Saamana also used an old picture of Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray sitting together, when the latter was part of undivided Shiv Sena.
At the same time, BJP's calculated partnership with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction may face turbulence due to this growing emotional narrative. While Shinde's team has official backing, the survey shows that legitimacy in the eyes of voters is still up for debate.
This dissatisfaction is not just party-specific—it's systemic. The lack of elected representation, unfulfilled civic promises, and visible decay in public infrastructure have created a strong undercurrent of demand for change. And in this climate, the party that can convincingly claim both performance and emotional authenticity is likely to emerge stronger.
For the Congress and the NCP (Sharad Pawar), the challenge lies in staying relevant. Though their roles appear limited in the current electoral narrative, their decisions on alliances and targeted campaigning could tip the scales in tightly contested wards.
As campaigning gains momentum, what's clear from the survey is that Mumbai is not just voting for development this time—it is voting for dignity, accountability, and identity. Whether the BJP manages to translate its lead into votes or the Thackerays turn nostalgia into numbers remains the big question. But one thing is certain: the BMC polls in 2025 will be a defining moment in Mumbai's political story.
First Published:
June 07, 2025, 16:21 IST
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