Mumbai BMC Elections Heat Up: BJP Targets Uddhav Thackeray Over “Jihadi Elements” Claims

Mumbai: The political battle for the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections has intensified, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) taking aim at Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray, following remarks made by New York Mayor Joharan Mamdani praising Umar Khalid. BJP alleges that certain “jihadi elements” are attempting to take control of India’s major cities and alter their cultural identity.

BJP’s Accusations

Mumbai BJP President Amit Satam warned that the party will not allow Mumbai to “become New York,” referencing Mamdani’s support for Umar Khalid. Satam claimed that this is part of an international conspiracy to influence Indian cities, with attempts to weaken their cultural and political fabric. He further accused Uddhav Thackeray and his supporters of being part of this “cultural assault.”

Satam stated,
“Certain international forces are attempting to replicate New York-style governance here, led by extreme leftists. Mumbai has agents who are attempting cultural aggression, including Uddhav Thackeray himself.”

Targeting Thackeray

BJP specifically criticized Uddhav Thackeray, claiming that Pakistani flags appeared at some of his rallies and that individuals with links to past terror incidents were part of his political campaigns. Satam warned that while Thackeray’s political influence has waned, any association with “enemies of the nation” will be opposed by Mumbaikars. He reiterated the party’s stance that no candidate with the surname “Khan” will be allowed to become Mayor.

Political Context

Experts note that BJP appears to be linking Thackeray with “jihadi conspiracies” to polarize voters ahead of the BMC polls, while Uddhav and Raj Thackeray are emphasizing the Marathi versus non-Marathi identity narrative to consolidate their voter base. The election campaign is thus increasingly framed around nationalist rhetoric versus regional identity politics, highlighting growing tensions in Mumbai’s political landscape.