The Times of India

In a spirited address, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis lambasted the Thackeray-led coalition for igniting divisive 'Marathi vs Non-Marathi' rhetoric during the BMC elections. He passionately defended Hindutva as the core essence of the BJP, rejecting claims that it is merely a strategy for votes.

Uber has launched 50 new e-bike taxis in Mumbai, expanding its partnership with Loadshare to accelerate electric bike taxi deployment. Additional Transport Commissioner Bharat Kalaskar flagged off the new fleet, emphasizing the role of e-bike taxis in addressing urban mobility challenges. Uber plans to add more EV bikes in Mumbai in the coming months.

In the upcoming BMC elections, political parties in Mumbai are notably focusing on Marathi candidates, presenting them in larger numbers compared to their actual demographic share. This tactic, rooted in past voting behaviors and intensified by local nativist rhetoric, marks a significant shift in the landscape of identity-driven politics.

Exciting news! On February 5, citizens will head to the polls to vote for 12 zilla parishads and 125 panchayat samitis, according to the State Election Commission's official announcement. Keep in mind, this election cycle omits areas where the SC, ST, and OBC reservation cap exceeded 50%, with future dates still pending Supreme Court review.

In the year 1873, a remarkable assembly took place in Bombay, uniting Englishmen, Hindus, Muslims, and Parsis with a common goal: to lay the groundwork for local self-governance. This significant gathering birthed the Bombay Municipal Corporation, now recognized as the richest civic institution in India.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut criticized the State Election Commission for permitting door-to-door campaigning post the official deadline. He alleged ruling parties are distributing money and gifts, accusing the SEC of facilitating 'Laxmi Darshan' and aiding illegal practices ahead of municipal elections.

As Maharashtra preps for essential municipal elections involving 29 corporations, the spotlight is on Mumbai where the BMC showdown between the BJP-backed Mahayuti and the united Thackeray coalition is making waves. On January 15, over 3.48 crore voters will cast their votes, choosing from 15,931 hopefuls. This pivotal election is underscored by strategic alliances and enticing offers targeting women voters.

Maharashtra has mandated weekly offs, capped daily teaching at five hours, and introduced mental health support for students, following a Supreme Court directive on academic stress. Private coaching classes and schools must now comply with these regulations, including compulsory counsellors for larger institutes and time-bound grievance redressal, aiming to reduce student pressure.

Ahead of the BMC elections, junior college students in Mumbai's Andheri West are being enlisted as volunteers to aid voters, particularly senior citizens and those with disabilities. While the election department mandates their deployment across several areas, the Maharashtra Progressive Teachers' Union has voiced concerns about placing election management burdens on educational institutions.

Maharashtra's Class 10 and 12 exams will see stringent security measures, including drone surveillance, CCTV in halls, and police escorts for papers. Photocopy shops near centres will close, and strict action awaits offenders. While aiming to curb cheating, some colleges worry about the financial strain of mandatory CCTV installations.

Veteran actor Jeetendra and his son Tusshar Kapoor have successfully offloaded a significant commercial property in Mumbai's Chandivali area for a staggering Rs 559 crore. The deal, finalized on January 9th, saw NTT Global Data Centres acquire a prime IT park space, including a ten-storey building and a generator structure.

Dy CM Eknath Shinde is steering through turbulent political seas, encountering opposition not only from an array of rivals but also from unexpected quarters like the BJP. He unveiled bold visions for Mumbai's future, proposing a central park and significant infrastructure improvements, all designed to address historical shortcomings in governance.

This year, Mumbai is shaking things up for its civic election vote counting, opting for a phased approach that's quite different from the one used in 2017. Election authorities will focus their efforts on two wards out of the 227 total, aiming for a more efficient process.

NCP candidate Kaptan Malik campaigned in Kurla (West) for BMC Ward No. 165, addressing constituents' concerns about water supply and civic amenities. Malik, a former corporator from a neighboring ward, highlighted his long-standing association with the area and pledged to resolve issues like traffic congestion and lack of beautification. He emphasized his commitment to public service, even before holding office.

Congress candidate Nassima Juneja, accompanied by her husband and MLA Amin Patel, campaigned in Ward 213, highlighting development work and addressing resident concerns. Redevelopment, parking, and sanitation emerged as key issues during the foot rally through Kamathipura and nearby slum clusters.

Fifteen 'friendly fights' are creating confusion across Mumbai's BMC polls, despite major alliances. Disagreements over seat-sharing and strategic vote division are fueling these contests, particularly within the Mahayuti. This internal friction, with parties fielding multiple candidates, is impacting voter clarity and potentially weakening alliance prospects.

BMC election candidates have voiced concerns over the phased counting of votes, fearing delays in result declarations and the emergence of early trends. The administration confirmed counting will occur in phases, with two wards processed at a time. This change from the traditional simultaneous counting method has drawn criticism from various political parties.

A 21-year-old air hostess was found dead in Thane, leading police to book her 23-year-old ex-partner for abetting suicide. Allegations include threats to release photos, refusal to marry, and a new relationship, reportedly driving the victim to despair. Investigations revealed financial exploitation and physical assault, prompting the FIR.

Candidates made a final push for votes in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections. Motorcades and social media campaigns highlighted symbols and poll timings. Parties focused on civic amenities, Hindutva, and Marathi pride. Women candidates often had male family members lead their campaigns. Various symbols represented independent candidates. Music and drumbeats filled Koliwadas. Some candidates promised dedicated grievance redressal channels.

The BJP has labeled MNS chief Raj Thackeray as anti-industry, anti-investment, and anti-youth. Thackeray, however, clarified his stance, stating he's not against investments but questions the rapid growth of Adani since 2014. BJP's Ashish Shelar asserted their support for rule-abiding investors and advised Thackeray to approach the Competition Commission with grievances.

Deputy CM Ajit Pawar indicated a potential reunion with his uncle Sharad Pawar, stating he believes in addition, not subtraction in politics. He admitted that the bitterness between the two NCP factions has subsided following their alliance for the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad civic polls, making the contest against the BJP tighter.

Mumbai anticipates a bright, warm mid-winter day on January 14, 2026, with temperatures reaching 27.6C. However, lingering Poor air quality from yesterday, with AQI-IN 195, necessitates caution in traffic zones. While sunshine prevails, masks are advised for sensitive individuals. The week ahead promises consistent sunshine with slightly cooler nights.