The Times of India

State minister Ashish Shelar backed BJP candidate Sayali Kulkarni for Ward 60, promising tech-driven solutions and critiquing Uddhav Thackeray. Kulkarni outlined plans for an upgraded lifestyle, focusing on clear roads and transparent governance, supported by various community groups. Local issues like pollution and hawker problems were briefly mentioned.

A 63-year-old woman was abducted and coerced into signing documents acknowledging an 80 lakh debt owed by her son to illegal money lenders. The incident, which occurred last month, saw the victim threatened with harm to her son. Police have arrested one associate of the main accused, who remains at large.

After 35 years of dedicated grassroots work, 58-year-old Bharati Pednekar, a Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate, is finally contesting the BMC elections in Parel.

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis declared the Mumbai civic polls a fight for the survival of Uddhav and Raj Thackeray, not the Marathi people. He highlighted development projects and criticized the previous MVA government's policies. Fadnavis vowed to install a Mahayuti mayor and transform the city, asserting the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance's victory.

Mumbai anticipates a warm, mostly dry Tuesday with partly cloudy skies and temperatures near 28C. Despite pleasant weather, yesterday's 'Poor' air quality, particularly PM2.5 and PM10, may persist, prompting mask use near busy roads. The week ahead promises sunny days, with slightly cooler nights mid-week, though humidity may rise later.

The Congress party is experiencing a steady erosion of internal authority, leading to a continuous exodus of legislators across all levels. This phenomenon, accelerating since 2014, highlights how political survival and strategic realignment have overshadowed party loyalty, transforming defections from scandals into routine events.

Mumbai's municipal elections reveal a ballot paper resembling a city directory, featuring candidates from diverse professions like paanwalas, drivers, and domestic workers. This election highlights the city's informal economy, where occupations become claims to legitimacy and aspiration, offering a unique socio-economic map of its residents.

Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray have joined forces for the BMC polls. They accuse the BJP of trying to separate Mumbai from Maharashtra and divide Marathi speakers. The leaders highlighted the Adani group's extensive project acquisitions. They also criticized the BJP for unopposed elections, claiming it denies voters their right. This alliance aims to protect Mumbai and Maharashtra.

Shiva Sena (UBT) candidate Rajool Patil is campaigning in Bhandup's Ward 114, focusing on decluttering congested settlements and securing a dedicated children's playground. Known for her organ donation advocacy, Patil aims to leverage her social work credibility and local familiarity to address issues like traffic gridlock and inadequate civic services in the multi-cornered election fight.

Mumbai's BMC elections are seeing a surge in candidates, particularly in areas with homogeneous voter bases like slum clusters, Dalit, and Muslim pockets. This proliferation, with 18 wards having 15+ candidates, intensifies competition and often benefits larger parties, as analysts suggest it can fragment votes and provide recognition for aspiring candidates.

The newly formed P East administrative ward faces political and civic challenges due to redrawn boundaries and uneven infrastructure. Candidates are navigating demographic shifts and addressing issues like water supply, traffic, and stalled rehabilitation projects. Local concerns, including hawker management and housing redevelopment, are central to the electoral contest.