Fadnavis Praises BJP's Performance in BMC Polls
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis celebrated the Bharatiya Janata Party's strong showing in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections. He spoke directly to the party's newly elected 89 corporators during a meeting in Mumbai.
Transparency and Mumbai's Future
Fadnavis made firm commitments about the BMC's operations. He promised complete transparency and accountability in the civic body's functioning. The Chief Minister outlined an ambitious vision for India's financial capital.
"We will transform Mumbai into a world-class city within the next two to three years," Fadnavis declared. "Our goal is to make Mumbai both liveable and lovable for every resident."
Analyzing the Election Results
The Chief Minister described the election outcome as a massive mandate from Mumbaikars. He connected this success directly to public faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. "This victory represents a clear mandate for development," Fadnavis emphasized.
He highlighted the BJP's consistent electoral performance since 2014. The party has maintained its position as Maharashtra's leading political force throughout this period.
Defending the BJP's Strike Rate
Fadnavis addressed critics who questioned the scale of the BJP's celebration. Some had noted the party's seat count increased only modestly from 82 in 2017 to 89 in 2026.
The Chief Minister provided crucial context about the election strategy. "In 2017, we contested 227 municipal wards," he explained. "This time, we focused our efforts on just 137 seats."
This strategic reduction made the BJP's performance particularly impressive. Fadnavis asserted that the party achieved the highest strike rate among all competing political groups.
Historical Comparison and Narrow Misses
Fadnavis placed the BJP's achievement in historical perspective. He noted that the undivided Shiv Sena, which controlled the BMC for nearly thirty years, never reached 89 seats.
The comparison extended to current political rivals. The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) contested over 200 seats but secured only 65 victories.
"The BJP's strike rate clearly outperformed every other party," Fadnavis stated emphatically. He expressed some disappointment about narrowly missing the 100-seat mark, noting several close losses in individual wards.
Advice to New Corporators
The Chief Minister offered direct guidance to the freshly elected representatives. He cautioned them against arrogance following their electoral success.
"Do not let this victory carry you away," Fadnavis advised. "With success comes greater responsibility toward the people you represent."
He stressed that the corporators' behavior would significantly impact the party's public image. Their conduct in office matters deeply for maintaining public trust.
Addressing Key Mumbai Issues
Fadnavis touched on several critical urban challenges. He referenced the Marathi asmita (pride) platform often associated with the Thackeray family.
"We will ensure that Marathi-speaking residents are not displaced from Mumbai," he promised. The government plans to provide affordable housing, basic amenities, and improved infrastructure for common citizens and economically disadvantaged communities.
Broad-Based Support Across Mumbai
The Chief Minister analyzed the geographical spread of the BJP's electoral support. He noted that the party received votes from every type of neighborhood across Mumbai.
"There is no area where people rejected our party," Fadnavis observed. The BJP made significant inroads in diverse residential settings:
- High-rise apartment buildings
- Slum communities
- Traditional koliwadas (fishermen's villages)
- Chawls (tenement housing)
- Rental accommodations
This widespread acceptance demonstrates the party's appeal across caste, community, and religious lines. The election results reflect broad-based support throughout Mumbai's complex urban landscape.
