January 5, 2026: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday assured that the “Marathi Manoos will not have to go out of the city and that they will get houses within the city,” under a comprehensive Mumbai makeover promised by the ruling Mahayuti alliance. Addressing a joint BJP, Shiv Sena and RPI rally for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections at Worli, Fadnavis said the alliance is committed to improving ease of living, infrastructure, livelihoods, and safety in the country’s financial capital.
Fadnavis declared that Mumbai’s next mayor will be from the Mahayuti and will be both Hindu and Marathi. Stressing the need to make the city secure, he spoke about action against illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators. “In Mumbai, Marathi Manoos will no longer be driven away. Instead, they will be eligible for decent homes right in the heart of the city. To address pollution, a dedicated Rs 17,000 crore budget will be set aside to tackle the problem effectively,” he said.
Expressing confidence ahead of the civic polls, Fadnavis stated, “We don’t get intimidated by false storms. Our resolve is unshakable.” He accused rival parties of spreading fear-based narratives about Mumbai’s future. “During elections, there are some (Shiv Sena-UBT and MNS) who raise the bogey of threat to Mumbai… But such canards are not going to work. People know who is what,” he said, adding that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mumbai received maximum funding for mega infrastructure projects.
Highlighting transport expansion, Fadnavis said, “Through a 450-km metro network, we want to interconnect the entire MMR region. So far 350-km work is complete. The purpose is to ensure people travelling anywhere across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region should reach within 59 minutes.”
On ideological issues, he remarked, “We are not against any religion or religious practice. We are opposed to those living in India refusing to say ‘Vande Mataram’ and ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’.” He also warned, “In the name of religion, if some segments indulge in anti-national acts, it will not be tolerated.”
Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena president Eknath Shinde targeted former CM Uddhav Thackeray, saying, “Uddhav Thackeray looted the BMC… They remember [Marathi Manoos] only in elections.” He further said, “Whether it is the Ram Temple or abrogation of Article 370, Modi fulfilled the dreams of Bal Thackeray.”
