The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance on Sunday released an ambitious and politically charged manifesto for the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, promising sweeping reforms in civic governance, large-scale infrastructure upgrades, expanded welfare measures, and the use of advanced technology—including artificial intelligence—to address corruption and migration-related concerns in Mumbai.

Unveiled by Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, the manifesto positions the BJP–Shiv Sena–RPI(A) alliance as an agent of change after what it described as decades of inefficiency and stagnation in the country’s richest municipal body. From pledges of “technology-led governance” to making Mumbai a “global powerhouse,” the document blends urban development goals with contentious political issues such as migration and identity.

Focus on AI and technology-driven governance

A central theme of the Mahayuti manifesto is the extensive use of technology to reform civic administration. Fadnavis said the alliance plans to harness artificial intelligence to curb corruption, improve service delivery, and enhance transparency within the BMC.

He announced that services would increasingly be delivered through mobile-based platforms, allowing citizens to access civic facilities directly from their phones. Drawing inspiration from international models, Fadnavis said the alliance would combine “Japanese technology” with local administrative expertise to solve long-standing urban problems related to infrastructure, waste management, and public services.

The manifesto also promises the establishment of AI laboratories in all municipal schools, projecting the move as an investment in future-ready education and skill development. According to Fadnavis, integrating advanced technologies into the education system would help Mumbai’s youth compete globally in emerging sectors.

Migration and AI-based identification proposal

One of the most controversial aspects of the manifesto is its strong focus on migration, particularly the issue of alleged illegal Bangladeshi and Rohingya migrants living in Mumbai. Addressing the issue directly, Fadnavis said, “We will free Mumbai of Bangladeshis and Rohingyas,” asserting that the city was under pressure due to unchecked migration.

He announced that, with the help of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), the Mahayuti government would develop an AI-based tool to identify Bangladeshi migrants. The proposal, according to him, is aimed at strengthening internal security and ensuring that civic resources are not overstretched.

However, there is no official data quantifying the alleged influx of Bangladeshi or Rohingya migrants into Mumbai, nor concrete evidence establishing their claimed negative impact on the city’s economy or social fabric. Rights groups and legal experts have previously raised concerns over similar proposals, warning of potential misuse, profiling, and human rights violations. Despite these concerns, the migration plank remains a prominent feature of the Mahayuti’s civic election pitch.

Criticism of past BMC governance

Fadnavis used the manifesto launch to criticise the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s past leadership, particularly the undivided Shiv Sena led by the Thackeray family, which governed the civic body for nearly 25 years from 1997 to 2022. He described this period as one marked by inefficiency and poor governance.

“The city has seen 25 years of inefficiency in civic governance,” he said, promising a “corruption-free municipal corporation” under the Mahayuti. While acknowledging that the BJP was part of the BMC’s ruling alliance for much of that time, Fadnavis positioned the upcoming election as an opportunity for a reset.

Since March 2022, after the elected House’s term ended and elections were delayed, the BMC has been run by a state government-appointed administrator. The Mahayuti manifesto seeks to capitalise on public frustration over the prolonged absence of an elected civic body.

Transport reforms and women-centric promises

Public transport and women’s safety form another key pillar of the manifesto. Fadnavis announced plans to expand the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) fleet from around 5,000 buses to 10,000, with a strong emphasis on transitioning to electric vehicles to reduce pollution.

A major welfare promise included a 50 per cent concession on BEST bus fares for women, aimed at making daily travel more affordable and encouraging greater workforce participation. The alliance also highlighted safety measures for women commuters, though detailed implementation plans were not outlined during the launch.

Flood control and climate action

Flooding, a recurring and severe problem during Mumbai’s monsoon season, features prominently in the manifesto. Fadnavis promised a “flood-free Mumbai” within five years, an ambitious target given the city’s history of monsoon-related disruptions.

As part of this plan, IIT will be asked to form a research group to study Mumbai’s complex topography and drainage patterns. The proposal includes the construction of four new underground floodwater storage tanks and the revamping of existing drainage lines to improve water flow and reduce waterlogging.

The manifesto also pledges ₹17,000 crore for a comprehensive climate action plan. According to Fadnavis, the plan would focus on developing a “circular economy,” integrating sustainability into waste management, energy use, and urban planning.

Dharavi redevelopment and housing issues

Addressing one of Mumbai’s most closely watched redevelopment projects, Fadnavis said the Mahayuti would ensure that the Dharavi Redevelopment Project focuses on upgrading micro businesses operating in the area. He also promised that even residents currently deemed “ineligible” under existing criteria would be included in redevelopment benefits, a statement likely aimed at easing anxieties among Dharavi’s dense and diverse population.

The manifesto also promises to resolve long-pending tenancy issues and to provide Occupancy Certificates to 20,000 stalled buildings across the city, potentially offering relief to thousands of families caught in regulatory and legal limbo.

Cultural identity and Marathi heritage

Deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde, who also spoke at the manifesto launch, stressed the importance of preserving Marathi culture alongside modernisation. He announced plans to create a dedicated cultural department within the BMC to promote local art, heritage, and language.

Shinde said Marathi libraries, cultural centres, and a “Mumbai Fellowship” programme for Marathi youth would be established. He also announced that school syllabi would include the history of Mumbai and the Samyukta Maharashtra movement, reinforcing regional identity within the education system.

He reiterated the alliance’s commitment to establishing the Hindu Hridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Medical University, positioning it as a tribute to the late Shiv Sena founder and a boost to medical education in the state.

Health, environment, and indigenous communities

Other promises in the manifesto include upgrading civic hospitals to AIIMS-level facilities and introducing a health card for citizens to streamline access to medical services. Incentives have also been proposed for high-rise buildings that adopt sustainable “Living Forest” practices, aligning urban growth with environmental concerns.

The Mahayuti has also pledged to redevelop koliwadas and gaothans—traditional settlements of Mumbai’s original inhabitants—to protect the cultural identity and livelihoods of the Koli community and other indigenous groups.

A high-stakes civic battle

With the BMC controlling one of the largest municipal budgets in Asia, the upcoming civic elections are expected to be fiercely contested. The Mahayuti manifesto seeks to combine governance reform, welfare, cultural identity, and hardline positions on migration into a single narrative of transformation.

Whether promises such as AI-based migrant identification, flood-free Mumbai, and corruption-free governance can be translated into reality remains to be seen. For now, the manifesto sets the tone for a high-stakes political battle over the future of India’s financial capital, blending technological ambition with ideological messaging in equal measure.