Shiv Sena (UBT), Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) on Saturday jointly released their manifesto “Vachan Nama’ for the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal
Corporation (BMC) elections, projecting a united front against the ruling alliance in Maharashtra.
Addressing a joint press conference in Mumbai, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led ruling coalition, alleging systematic erosion of democratic values. “The atmosphere in the country is such that democracy has been taken over by mobocracy,” Thackeray said. Accusing the ruling alliance of manipulating the electoral process, he claimed that after “stealing votes,” they were now “stealing candidates,” referring to several civic poll nominees being elected unopposed.
Thackeray also levelled serious allegations against Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar, accusing him of openly threatening candidates and voters. “This is extremely shocking. Action must be taken against him, and he should be immediately suspended,” Thackeray said, alleging that Narwekar had instructed officials to withdraw security cover of opposition leaders outside the Assembly, which he said was beyond his authority. Thackeray demanded that a case be filed against Narwekar and called for by-elections in constituencies where candidates were elected unopposed, saying voters’ right to vote had been “stolen.”
Key promises in the joint manifesto
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, who have come together after nearly two decades of political rivalry, on Sunday jointly released their manifesto titled ‘Vachan Nama‘ for the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections.
Unveiling the manifesto for the high-stakes Mumbai civic polls scheduled for January 15, the leaders said the document was presented “at the feet of our janta,” projecting their alliance as a “Shiv-Shakti” coming together to safeguard the interests of the Marathi manus (man) and the city of Mumbai. The coming together of the two Thackeray cousins marks a significant political moment in Maharashtra politics.
Among the key promises outlined by the Shiv Sena (UBT)–MNS alliance are affordable housing, targeted welfare schemes for women, and major investments in healthcare, public transport and education. A flagship proposal is the ‘Swabhiman Nidhi’ scheme, under which domestic helpers and Koli women will receive a monthly allowance of ₹1,500. The scheme is pitched on the lines of the Mukhyamantri Ladki Bahin Yojana, which offers financial assistance to eligible women between the ages of 21 and 65.
The manifesto also proposes setting up ‘Maa Saheb’ kitchens, which are named after Meenatai Thackeray (Balasaheb Thackeray’s wife), to provide subsidised breakfast and lunch at ₹10, similar to the existing Shiv Bhojan Thali model. Other key proposals include waiving property tax on houses up to 700 sq ft and revising redevelopment norms to ensure every flat in redeveloped buildings is allotted at least one parking space.
On civic transport, the alliance has promised to reduce the minimum bus fare from ₹10 to ₹5, introduce new buses and expand routes across the city. In the education sector, BMC-run ‘Mumbai Public Schools’ will be expanded to offer classes from junior kindergarten to Class 12, positioning them as a strong alternative to private schools. For gig workers, the manifesto promises interest-free loans of ₹25,000 to help them purchase e-bikes.
At the manifesto launch, the leaders launched a sharp attack on the BJP, accusing it of weakening democratic norms. “There is no democracy left. After vote theft, they are now stealing candidates. There is a monstrous race to ensure ruling party candidates win unopposed,” Uddhav Thackeray alleged.
He further said that while the Mumbai mayor would be Marathi, the BJP must explain its track record when it previously shared power in the BMC. Thackeray also demanded re-elections in wards where candidates were elected unopposed and called for an investigation into the call records of returning officers linked to such cases, alleging manipulation of the electoral process.
