Thackeray cousins unveil BMC poll manifesto; promise free power sops for women

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray on Sunday (January 4, 2025) unveiled their manifesto for the BMC polls, promising financial aid for house helps and women from the Koli community, 100 units of free electricity, strengthening of health, public transport and education infrastructure.

The manifesto was launched at the Shiv Sena Bhavan, prompting Raj Thackeray to visit the party headquarters for the first time in 20 years after he parted ways with the undivided Shiv Sena.

Although the alliance includes the NCP (SP), no senior leader from the party was on the dias for the launch.

The alliance has targeted women voters, promising “Swabhiman Nidhi”, a monthly allowance of ₹1,500 for househelps and women from the Koli community, on the lines of the Mahayuti government’s Mukhyamantri Ladki Bahin Yojana, which provides a similar amount to eligible women between 21 and 65 years.

The parties have also promised good restrooms for women on major roads in Mumbai.

The manifesto also mentions a meal scheme, similar to the Shiv Bhojan Thali, under which breakfast and lunch would be provided for ₹10.

Mumbai’s land will only be used to house Mumbaikars, the manifesto states, promising affordable housing for employees of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), government, Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport Undertaking (BEST) and mill workers.

The BMC will have its own housing authority, and one lakh affordable houses will be built in the next five years, it stated.

The parties have also promised 100 units of free power for residential use through the BEST Undertaking, and efforts will be taken to extend this to the eastern and western suburbs.

The BEST is currently cash-strapped. There was no clarity whether the free units will be given to residents in the island city where the undertaking provides its electricity services or to the entire city.

The manifesto has also announced financial assistance ranging from ₹25,000 to ₹1 lakh for youth for self-employment, along with an interest-free loan of ₹25,000 for gig workers.

The alliance has promised to waive property tax on houses of up to 700 sq. ft. and stated that rules will also be changed to ensure every flat gets one parking slot in redeveloped buildings.

The alliance has also promised to bring down the minimum bus fare to ₹5 from the current ₹10 and introduce new buses and routes.

The manifesto stated that to boost the health infrastructure, five new medical colleges will be established in civic-run hospitals, and any move to privatise these facilities will be thwarted.

A super-speciality cancer hospital will be established in the city, and a rapid bike medical assistance will also be launched, it said.

In the education sector, ‘Mumbai Public Schools’ run by the BMC will have classes from junior kindergarten to Class 12, and creches will be established in every assembly segment to provide care for children of working parents, the manifesto said.

The alliance has also listed pet parks, clinics, ambulances, and crematoriums as some of the initiatives for the city.