History was rewritten in Mumbai as the BMC election results catapulted the BJP-Shiv Sena (Shinde) alliance to unchallenged power, sidelining the Thackeray brothers in spectacular fashion. The comprehensive rout of Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS paints a grim picture for the once-invincible Thackeray clan in the corridors of the 227-ward giant.
From the bustling chawls of Dharavi to the high-rises of Bandra-Kurla Complex, voters rejected the legacy politics of Uddhav and Raj Thackeray. The alliance notched up victories in 165+ wards, leveraging promises of smart city upgrades, 24/7 water, and efficient garbage disposal. Contrast this with the opposition’s fragmented efforts, marred by internal squabbles and lackluster vision.
Key battlegrounds like Chembur and Borivali witnessed dramatic turnarounds. Shinde’s Shiv Sena, fresh from the 2022 coup, proved its mettle by eclipsing UBT in core areas. MNS’s aggressive son-of-the-soil rhetoric fell flat against the alliance’s development narrative. ‘Voters have chosen action over agitation,’ quipped a senior corporator amid fireworks and dhol beats.
The BMC’s war chest of over Rs 52,000 crore positions the new dispensation to overhaul Mumbai’s creaking infrastructure. Expect policy shifts towards PPP models for flyovers, sanitation drives, and digital grievance redressal. Critics warn of favoritism in contracts, but early indicators show a pro-business tilt.
For the Thackerays, the loss is existential. Uddhav’s alliance with Congress-NCP yielded zilch, while Raj’s lone wolf strategy backfired. As they huddle for strategy sessions, the alliance celebrates a mandate that fortifies their state government. Mumbai’s pulse beats stronger with progress, leaving behind the echoes of bow-and-arrow symbolism.