Mumbai's BMC Polls: Identity Politics Overshadows Real Civic Solutions
Mumbai's Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections have concluded, but the campaign left many residents questioning the focus. Instead of tackling the city's pressing problems, the political discourse centered on narrow identity politics and short-term electoral gains. This shift has raised concerns about the future of India's financial capital.
Campaign Focus Diverts from Critical Issues
Ask any Mumbaikar about the city's challenges, and they will quickly list them. Potholed roads cause daily traffic jams, while broken footpaths make walking hazardous. Towering waste mounds pollute the air, and untreated sewage contaminates water bodies. The public bus system struggles financially, and corrupt housing schemes add to the woes. Yet, these urgent matters received little attention in the election run-up.
Instead, the campaign spotlight fell on divisive themes. A narrow and divisive identity politics took center stage, overshadowing discussions on long-term solutions. Political-electoral short-termism dominated, with parties making flashy promises rather than addressing structural decay.
Linguistic and Identity Faultlines Resurface
The BMC elections, delayed by nearly four years, saw frantic alliance-making and breaking in Maharashtra. Old linguistic divides reemerged, particularly with the MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT) excavating the "Marathi manoos" plank. This move responded to last year's controversial three-language policy proposal in state schools, reuniting the Thackeray cousins around nativist rhetoric.
BJP attempted to outdo this pitch by blending Hindutva politics with local identity. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis asserted that Mumbai's next mayor would be a "Hindu Marathi" from the Mahayuti alliance. Such statements highlighted how identity politics climbed to the forefront, diverting from substantive civic issues.
Cash Transfers and Subsidies Dominate Promises
This election marked a notable shift towards large-scale promises of cash transfers and subsidies. Manifestos overflowed with pledges like property tax waivers, free electricity, and financial aid for domestic workers and women from the Koli community. While these offers may appeal to voters, they often represent short-term fixes rather than sustainable solutions.
The real problems of Mumbai's structural decay demand patient, long-term strategies. Issues such as improving public transport, creating a street vendor policy, developing parking plans for high vehicle density, and managing water and waste require focused attention. Sadly, these topics were largely untouched in the political rhetoric.
Urgent Need for Governance and Accountability
The municipal body elected in these polls serves as the crucial point of contact for citizens. It directly impacts their quality of life amid fast-paced urban changes. A long to-do list awaits the 227 incoming corporators. They must prioritize fixing public transport, which remains perennially in the red. Formulating a street vendor policy, delayed for years, is essential for orderly urban spaces.
Creating a comprehensive parking plan becomes urgent as vehicle density explodes. Managing water quality, sewage treatment, and waste management are critical for public health. Mumbai, often called the city of dreams, faces an urgent need for repair and innovation.
Accountability at the third tier of governance is vital. The city requires imaginative solutions and a future-facing politics that moves beyond divisive identity debates. Only then can Mumbai address its deep-seated issues and improve the daily lives of its residents.
