Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and former Maharashtra minister Aaditya Thackeray has unveiled a comprehensive manifesto for the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, making a series of ambitious promises aimed at Mumbai's residents. The manifesto, titled 'My Mumbai, My BMC', focuses on housing, financial relief, and transforming the city's civic infrastructure.
Core Promises: Housing and Financial Relief
The cornerstone of the manifesto is a major commitment to affordable housing. Aaditya Thackeray pledged to construct one lakh (100,000) new homes for the city's residents. This massive housing initiative is designed to address the chronic shortage of affordable living spaces in the metropolis.
In a significant move aimed at providing immediate economic relief, the manifesto promises a waiver on outstanding property tax and electricity bill payments. The tax waiver would apply to all pending dues up to the year 2023, offering a fresh start to many taxpayers burdened by accumulated liabilities.
Vision for a 24-Hour Mumbai and Civic Upgrades
Beyond housing and taxes, Thackeray outlined a vision to revitalize Mumbai's public spaces and economy. A key proposal is to develop the city into a "24-hour city" by keeping public spaces like beaches, gardens, and the iconic Marine Drive accessible and vibrant round the clock. This initiative aims to boost night-time economy and recreation.
The manifesto also includes several other citizen-centric guarantees:
- Establishment of a dedicated "Mumbai Commission" to oversee major infrastructure projects and civic planning.
- Implementation of a "One Student, One Laptop" scheme to bridge the digital divide for students in municipal schools.
- Construction of modern, air-conditioned railway stations on the city's suburban network to improve commuter comfort.
- Development of 2,300 new public gardens and parks, significantly increasing the city's green cover.
- Provision of health insurance cover of up to Rs 10 lakh for every citizen of Mumbai.
Political Context and Upcoming Elections
The manifesto release is a crucial part of the Shiv Sena (UBT)'s campaign strategy for the BMC polls, which are considered one of the most significant municipal elections in the country due to the corporation's enormous budget. Aaditya Thackeray, who is the party's face for the Mumbai campaign, emphasized that these promises are a blueprint for a more responsive and progressive civic administration.
He framed the upcoming election as a direct contest between his party's vision for Mumbai's development and the current administration's track record. The promises are clearly targeted at addressing everyday concerns of Mumbaikars related to housing, cost of living, and quality of public amenities.
The final implementation of these ambitious promises, however, is contingent on the Shiv Sena (UBT) securing a majority in the 227-member BMC house. The election date is yet to be officially announced by the State Election Commission, but political activity is intensifying across the city.
