In a scathing critique, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and MLA Aaditya Thackeray launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday, January 11, 2026. His comments came in response to a recent report by The Indian Express, which revealed that a staggering 99 per cent of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) funds were diverted to constituencies represented by MLAs from the ruling Mahayuti alliance.
Funds Diverted, No Work on Ground: Thackeray's Allegation
Addressing the public at the Loksatta Loksamvad programme, Aaditya Thackeray asserted that despite cornering the lion's share of civic funds, there was little visible evidence of development work across Mumbai. He argued that this skewed allocation had failed to satisfy residents because the money had not translated into tangible civic improvements.
"If you go deeper, the funds did not even reach the MLAs. They went to a few private individuals linked to the BJP and the Shinde group. Under which rule is public money handed over to private persons?" Thackeray questioned. He emphasized that the poor quality of concretisation and road beautification projects was plainly visible to every Mumbaikar.
Parallels with Chandigarh and a Warning for Mumbai
Thackeray escalated his attack by drawing a direct parallel with the Union Territory of Chandigarh. He alleged that the BJP harboured a similar plan to 'break up Mumbai' and bring it under direct Central control, mirroring the situation with Chandigarh, which is separate from Punjab and Haryana.
"Just as Chandigarh is being separated from Punjab and Haryana and brought under direct Central control, the same thinking exists for Mumbai," he stated. He warned that handing over the BMC to the BJP would mean all levers of the city would go into the hands of corporate interests. "Mumbai belongs to Marathi people. It is the economic capital of Maharashtra, but that identity is being systematically weakened," he added, citing the alleged dismantling of BEST as an example of collapsing public transport.
Defending Sena's Record and Blaming the Administrator Era
Responding to allegations against his party's long tenure in the BMC, Thackeray pointed out that the BJP had been a governing partner in the civic body for 25 years. "They were part of the standing committee, education committee, tree authority and even held the deputy mayor’s post. Either the works happened or they didn’t. If they didn’t, don’t take credit for our work," he retorted.
He further claimed that cities where the BJP controls the Centre, state, and civic bodies have seen a deterioration in basic infrastructure, giving examples of Indore, Delhi, and Gandhinagar. Thackeray alleged that Mumbai's situation had specifically worsened over the last four years under an administrator-led civic body, which functions under the Mahayuti government. "From garbage to roads, the city has gone downhill. The BJP is excellent as an Opposition party, but it cannot run governments," he concluded.
