Uddhav Thackeray's Strategy for BMC: Learn from Assembly Defeat

With the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections on the horizon, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) chief Uddhav Thackeray has sounded the battle cry for party workers, urging them to correct past mistakes and ensure the party regains control of the Mumbai civic body.

In a two-session meeting held on Sunday at Shiv Sena Bhavan, Dadar, Thackeray addressed 227 branch and department heads, issuing a stern reminder of the party’s defeat in the Maharashtra Assembly elections and warning, “Don’t let the mistake of the Vidhan Sabha be repeated!”

He emphasized that the upcoming BMC election is not just a political battle, but a fight for the future of the party. "Flying the saffron flag once again over the Mumbai Municipal Corporation is now a responsibility tied directly to our party’s survival," Thackeray told the cadre.

Criticism of the Ruling Coalition

Thackeray also took aim at the Mahayuti coalition government, accusing it of neglecting developmental work initiated during the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) tenure. “People were benefiting from our projects for Mumbaikars. But the current government has turned a blind eye to that progress. It’s your duty to go and tell people this truth,” he instructed the workers.

A Warning from the Past

Recalling the Assembly election setback, Thackeray pointed out that his faction won only 20 seats across Maharashtra, while the rebel group led by Eknath Shinde bagged 57 seats. “That defeat must not be repeated in the Municipal Corporation elections,” he warned.

Mumbai: A Crucial Bastion

Of the 20 MLAs from Uddhav Thackeray’s faction, 10 are from Mumbai, underscoring the city’s strategic importance for the party. Winning back control of the BMC — India’s richest civic body — is being viewed not just as a matter of political prestige, but also organizational survival for Thackeray’s faction.

Call to Action

Thackeray directed all department heads, deputy heads, assembly organizers, branch heads, and sub-branch heads to hit the ground running. “Meet the people directly. Visit your branches regularly and organize citizen-centric programs — guidance camps, dialogue meetings, and free health check-up camps,” he said.

With the battle for Mumbai intensifying, Uddhav Thackeray’s clarion call marks the beginning of what promises to be a high-stakes election season in Maharashtra’s political capital.