In a significant announcement ahead of the crucial Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, Maharashtra Minister and BJP leader Ashish Shelar laid out a blueprint for administrative overhaul, focusing on eradicating corruption and enhancing coordination. Speaking at a Loksamvad session organized by Loksatta in Mumbai on Thursday, January 8, 2026, Shelar exuded confidence in the ruling Mahayuti alliance's victory and detailed plans involving a new committee and cutting-edge technology.
AI and Zero Tolerance for Graft
Shelar stated that the core objective is to establish a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption within the BMC. To achieve this, the civic body will adopt Artificial Intelligence (AI) across various functions. He explained that AI would be deployed from the tendering process to ward-wise analysis of citizen grievances, aiming to root out deeply ingrained malpractices in the system.
"It is our endeavor to ensure corruption-free administration for which AI will be incorporated to change the system," Shelar asserted. He emphasized that the move is aimed at good governance and that AI would prove an effective model. Crucially, he clarified that these changes would not undermine the BMC's authority but rather empower it.
The Coordination Committee for Smoother Operations
Another key proposal is the formation of a coordination committee under the BMC. Shelar highlighted the current challenge of multiple agencies and authorities working in isolation, each with its own plans. This often creates hurdles during project execution.
"To ensure effective working, a coordination committee will be constituted," he said. The committee's stated objective will be to facilitate smooth and hurdle-free collaboration among all agencies associated with the civic body, thereby improving service delivery and project implementation.
Political Confidence and Accusations
Shelar expressed strong political confidence, claiming that the people would vote for the Mahayuti alliance based on its development agenda. He made a definitive prediction about the mayor's post: "The next mayor will be from Mahayuti. The mayor will be Marathi."
He launched a sharp attack on the opposition, holding Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray responsible for the corruption that "became a mainstay in the civic body." Shelar also accused Thackeray's son, Aaditya Thackeray, of consistently opposing several mega projects initiated by the BJP in the recent past.
Dismissing any impact of a potential reunion of the Thackeray brothers on BJP's prospects, Shelar pointed to the party's electoral performance. "If we look at three successive Assembly elections—2014, 2019, and 2024—BJP won over 100 out of 288 seats. This shows Marathis have voted for BJP," he stated.
Defending BJP's Cultural Record
Shelar, who also holds the Cultural Affairs portfolio, defended his party's commitment to Marathi culture. He accused the Uddhav Thackeray-led MVA government (2019-2022) of stopping Hindu festivals like Dahi Handi and Ganeshotsav during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"It was BJP's Devendra Fadnavis who led the fight to restore Dahi Handi and Ganeshotsav. We gave Ganeshotsav state festival status," he said. He further listed achievements like securing UNESCO heritage status for 12 forts of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and obtaining classical language status for Marathi during BJP rule at the Centre and state.
The announcements set a clear governance and development-focused agenda for the Mahayuti alliance as it prepares for the high-stakes BMC polls, positioning technology and administrative efficiency as its primary weapons against systemic corruption.
