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Eknath Shinde says BMC election results show Mumbai voters rejected anti-development politics, endorsing Mahayuti’s growth model and for the city’s transformation.
Eknath Shinde says BMC election results show Mumbai voters rejected anti-development politics, endorsing Mahayuti’s growth model and for the city’s transformation. (PTI)
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, speaking to CNN-News18, said the BMC election results showed that voters had decisively rejected anti-development politics and endorsed a governance model centred on growth, infrastructure and urban transformation, following the Mahayuti alliance’s landslide victory.
“The people of Mumbai have rejected anti-development politics that plagued them for over 25 years, and have welcomed the Mahayuti’s development politics,” he said.
The Shiv Sena chief also accused the previous administrations of prioritising corruption over development, saying Mumbai had suffered due to stalled infrastructure projects, lack of health facilities, delays in sewage treatment plants, and repeated delays on key projects like the Metro and coastal road. “For 25 years, corruption came first. For us, Mumbai’s development comes first,” he said.
Shinde said repeated attempts by the Thackeray brothers to unite and stop the Mahayuti had failed. “They threw everything they had to stop us and reclaim the ‘official Shiv Sena’ tag, but the people proved them wrong,” he added.
Contrasting past governance with the present, Shinde said the city had moved from a “stagnant government” to a “progress-oriented government.” He added that the Mahayuti would now focus on delivering what Mumbaikars want and developing the city into an international metropolis.
On questions about political realignments and the Pawar family coming together against the Mahayuti, Shinde said the verdict showed that emotional or identity-based politics no longer works. “People have accepted those who deliver development and rejected those who oppose it. Development politics will work, not emotional politics,” he said.
Responding to speculation about future alliances in Mumbai, Shinde said decisions would be taken after the results but stressed that unity between the BJP and Shiv Sena was essential for Mumbai’s growth. “The hurdles are gone. Now the focus is only on Mumbai’s development,” he added.
January 16, 2026, 20:15 IST
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