In the high-stakes Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, a distinct narrative is emerging from the noise of linguistic and religious polarisation. Several leaders from Mumbai's vibrant workers' unions are entering the electoral fray, contesting on Communist Party of India (Marxist) tickets, with a singular mission: to keep the voice of the city's working class alive in its civic governance.
From Union Halls to Polling Booths: Leaders Take the Plunge
These candidates represent a cross-section of Mumbai's often-invisible workforce. Sugandhi Francis, the president of the Mumbai and Navi Mumbai Domestic Workers’ Union, is vying for votes from ward number 115 in Bhandup. With a 36-year record of grassroots activism, Francis decided to contest with CPM after concluding that other political sides had failed. She has received support from the Congress, NCP (SP), Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA), and the Samajwadi Party, and will face BJP's Smita Parab and MNS's Jyoti Rajbhoj.
In the Sewri area, considered a Thackeray family bastion, Manoj Kumar Yadav is contesting from ward 206. Yadav, who serves as the General Secretary of the Forward Seamen’s Union of India and leads the All India Gig Workers Union, is taking on two Shiv Sena heavyweights: Sachin Padval (UBT) and Nana Ambole (Shinde faction). He has sharply criticised the ruling alliance for neglecting civic amenities and vows to prioritise slum redevelopment and timely service delivery for his ward, which he calls "the heart of Mumbai."
Sustaining a Legacy Amidst Political Shifts
The electoral participation of these union leaders is a poignant reminder of a bygone era when Left and socialist trade unions from mills and government bodies dominated Mumbai's politics until the late 1970s. The rise of the Shiv Sena under Bal Thackeray successfully challenged that dominance, leading to the broader decline of the Left movement in Maharashtra. While these unions have remained effective in their respective domains, their collective electoral impact has waned over the decades.
Yet, the current BMC polls see a concerted effort to reclaim that space. In Mankhurd, Sangita Kamble, general secretary of the Anganwadi workers union, is one of 18 candidates in ward 143. After 22 years of organising anganwadi, ASHA workers, hawkers, and naka workers, she felt it was time to take a political step forward, disillusioned by the unfulfilled promises of established parties.
Similarly, hawkers and trade union leader Shailendra Kamble is contesting from ward 86 in Marol, Andheri. He emphasises that his campaign is about raising substantive issues affecting workers, rather than following agendas set by parties like the BJP or Shiv Sena. "The election campaign is a platform for us to bring important issues in front of the public," Kamble stated, underscoring the goal to use the electoral process to amplify the concerns of the working class.
A Third Option for Mumbai's Voters
The common thread among these candidates is the offer of a "third option." They argue that the dominant political narratives have sidelined core civic and livelihood issues. From fighting encroachments and water shortages to ensuring workers' rights and proper urban redevelopment, their platforms are rooted in decades of on-ground experience. As Mumbai votes on January 8, 2026, these union leaders are testing whether their direct connection with the city's proletariat can translate into electoral success, aiming to prove that the voice of labour still holds resonance in India's financial capital.
