Mumbai has plunged into a fierce political battle of posters and banners just a day after the election schedule for the crucial Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) was officially announced. The city's walls and poles became the canvas for a pointed political exchange, marking the opening salvo in what promises to be a high-stakes electoral contest.
The Opening Volley: Anonymous Posters Target Political Dynasties
In several parts of the financial capital, banners with a stark black background appeared overnight. Their message was direct and provocative: "BMC is not a family business." This was widely interpreted as a clear dig at the Thackeray family, whose leadership has dominated the Mumbai civic body for over two decades through the Shiv Sena. Notably, none of these posters carried the name of any political party.
The campaign quickly moved online. The official X handle of the BJP's Mumbai unit amplified the sentiment, using the hashtag #BMCIsNotFamilyBusiness. In a post, they declared, "Let's gear up to hoist the saffron flag of BJP over the BMC for the upcoming Mumbai Municipal Corporation elections."
However, BJP Mumbai president Ameet Satam denied direct involvement in putting up the physical posters. He suggested that activists or citizens frustrated with 25 years of governance were behind them. "However, it's also true that BMC is not family business," Satam stated, adding that the BJP has a record of work from the state government, while the opposition has no plan for Mumbaikars.
Counter-Attack and the 'Marathi Manoos' Card
The response from the Shiv Sena (UBT) camp was swift and equally sharp. In the party's heartland of Dadar, near Shiv Sena Bhavan, black-and-white handouts surfaced with a different warning. One, written in Marathi, urged, "Wake up Marathi manoos, your Mumbai is being taken away from you."
Another poster retorted with the line, "BMC is not Adani business," directly targeting the BJP and its alleged ties to the Adani Group. This was a reference to accusations that several major civic contracts in recent years have been awarded to the conglomerate. Advocate Sagar Devre, associated with the Sena (UBT), confirmed these posters were shared on social media and would soon be put up across the city.
A similar sentiment was echoed on a poster in Byculla, which read in Marathi: "Marathi Manoos Mumbai vachva, hi tujhya astitvachi shevatchi ladai aahay" (Save Mumbai, Marathi man, this is the last battle for your existence).
Crackdown and the Model Code of Conduct
This visual political duel coincided with the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct across Mumbai. The BMC's administration swiftly moved into action to curb unauthorized political advertising. By 3 pm on Tuesday, the civic body reported the removal of 2,103 illegal political advertisements. This massive cleanup included hoardings, banners, kiosks, stickers, flags, boards, and wall paintings from within its jurisdiction.
The rapid poster war and the immediate civic crackdown underscore the intense political atmosphere in Mumbai. With the BMC elections on the horizon, these initial skirmishes set the stage for a fiercely contested battle where legacy, governance, and regional identity are poised to be central themes. The anonymous nature of the posters also highlights the strategic, behind-the-scenes maneuvering that characterizes the beginning of this major urban political fight.
