Mumbai, Jan 12 (NationPress) As Mumbai prepares for the crucial Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections set for January 15, the contest for Asia’s wealthiest civic organization is heating up. The Thackeray cousins, Uddhav and Raj, have united under a shared 'Vachan Nama (promissory note)', while the ruling Mahayuti (BJP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena) has responded with a development-centric 'Stamp Paper' manifesto.

The central message from Uddhav and Raj Thackeray revolves around Mumbai for Mumbaikars, emphasizing local welfare and the preservation of Marathi identity and pride. Conversely, the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance is focusing on a modern and dynamic Mumbai, advocating for infrastructure enhancements while firmly standing by their Hindutva agenda.

The Thackeray Alliance has committed to constructing one lakh affordable homes within five years, proposing a dedicated BMC Housing Authority to ensure that city land is allocated for its residents. They also promise to eliminate property tax on homes up to 700 sq ft. In contrast, the Mahayuti aims for a Slum-Free Mumbai through the redevelopment of 17 significant slum areas (such as Ramabai Nagar), targeting the construction of 30-35 lakh homes across the state and prioritizing the renovation of aging Pagdi buildings.

In the transport and infrastructure sector, the Thackeray Alliance intends to reduce the minimum BEST bus fare from Rs 10 to Rs 5, along with offering 100 units of complimentary electricity via the BEST undertaking. The Mahayuti, on the other hand, proposes to expand the BEST fleet by adding 12,000 electric vehicles, providing a 50% fare discount for women, and investing in a Rs 50,000-crore utility tunnel network to tackle the persistent issue of road excavations for repairs.

In terms of welfare programs for women, the Thackeray Alliance has launched the Swabhiman Nidhi, which will provide a monthly allowance of Rs 1,500 for house helpers and Koli women, along with proposing creches in every Assembly segment. The Mahayuti counters this with interest-free loans of Rs 5 lakh for women through BMC-led initiatives, emphasizing the 'Ladki Bahin' model for direct benefit transfers.

Regarding security and identity, the Thackeray alliance underscores the 'Marathi Manoos' identity, vowing that the Mayor of Mumbai will always be a Marathi speaker. The Mahayuti has taken a more stringent approach, pledging to utilize Artificial Intelligence (AI) to identify and deport illegal immigrants, particularly mentioning Bangladeshis and Rohingyas, and plans to establish a dedicated Marathi Language Department within the BMC.

The introduction of these manifestos has sparked a fierce exchange of words. Leaders from the Mahayuti, including Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde, have branded the Thackeray manifesto as 'ideologically bankrupt', accusing the cousins of omitting the term 'Hindutva' to please their MVA allies. In response, Uddhav Thackeray has accused the ruling coalition of 'contractor-driven governance', alleging misuse of BMC resources for electoral kickbacks, and has called for the annulment of elections in wards where candidates were chosen unopposed, labeling it a 'theft of democracy.'

Interestingly, both factions have made some shared promises. They have vowed to ensure a 24/7 water supply with the completion of the Gargai-Pinjal dam projects. The Thackeray brothers and the Mahayuti have also committed to establishing 'super specialty' municipal hospitals and upgrading local dispensaries. With air quality deteriorating, both alliances have pledged to work towards making Mumbai 'pollution-free' and to increase green spaces.

(Sanjay Jog can be contacted at sanjay.j@ians.in)