Ahead of the crucial Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, the Mumbai Congress has made a direct pitch to the city's significant North Indian community. On Monday, December 22, 2025, the party's North Indian cell unveiled a detailed seven-point election manifesto, squarely focusing on dignity, self-employment, and social security for this demographic.
Core Promises from the 'Samvad' Campaign
The manifesto is not a product crafted behind closed doors. It is the direct outcome of the party's 'Samvad' campaign, an initiative where cell members engaged directly with citizens to understand their most pressing issues. The document was officially released in the presence of senior leaders including Avinash Pandey, Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai, and Mumbai Congress president Varsha Gaikwad.
The promises are specific and aimed at daily life challenges. Key pledges include:
- Implementing a transparent election process for Town Vending Committees and providing digital licences to all eligible street vendors.
- Expanding CNG stations to include rest centres and workshop corners with free health check-ups for auto and taxi drivers.
- Collaborating with Railways to create large waiting areas outside stations during festivals like Diwali and Chhath Puja, offering lodging and meals for just Rs 10 to Rs 50.
- Building permanent immersion ponds and ghats at beaches for Chhath Puja, complete with changing rooms for women, lighting, and lifeguard stations.
- Constructing a 'Pravasi Bhavan' (travellers' hall) to offer an affordable venue for cultural events and weddings.
- Streamlining licensing for city dairies (tabelas) and shifting their water billing from commercial to subsidized rates.
A Strategic Move to Rebuild Political Base
The political calculation behind this focused manifesto is clear. The western suburbs of Mumbai house a considerable North Indian population, and the Congress aims to rebuild its base here. A senior Mumbai Congress leader admitted that while the party once enjoyed strong community support through powerful leaders, many have since become inactive or switched allegiance to the BJP or the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.
"We think that this election is an opportunity to rebuild our base," the leader stated. The community's vote is influential, with an estimated 40-50 out of the BMC's 227 seats having a considerable North Indian population, enough to sway electoral outcomes.
Leaders Rally the Community
At the manifesto launch event held at Sharda Gyanpeeth International School in Malad (East), leaders made a concerted appeal. Ajay Rai called for unity within the North Indian community to defeat the BJP-led alliance. Mumbai Congress chief Varsha Gaikwad highlighted the party's historical record, stating, "The Congress has always provided representation to the north Indian community, appointing them as MPs, MLAs, ministers, corporators, and mayors."
She contrasted this with the BJP, which she accused of taking their votes without addressing grievances. Adding to this, North Indian cell president Avnish Tirthraj Singh emphasized that the Congress is the first party to formally include North Indian issues in a dedicated election manifesto, a claim backed by former minister Aslam Sheikh who reaffirmed the party's consistent respect for the community.
This targeted manifesto sets the stage for a competitive BMC election, where local issues and community-specific promises are likely to play a decisive role in winning the trust—and votes—of Mumbai's diverse electorate.
