Voting is underway today across several municipal corporations in Maharashtra, marking an important moment in the…
Category: Politics
Fear of ‘Gujarati Takeover’ of Mumbai: Why Raj and Uddhav Thackeray Are Reviving Old Anxieties Ahead of BMC Polls With the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections looming, Mumbai’s political discourse is once again turning to questions of identity, belonging, and control over the city. At the centre of this renewed debate is the familiar fear of a “Gujarati takeover” of Mumbai — a narrative being actively invoked by Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray as they seek to mobilise Marathi voters and regain lost political ground. Why This Issue Is Being Raised Now The BMC is not just India’s richest municipal body but also a powerful political symbol. Control over Mumbai’s civic administration means influence over infrastructure projects, redevelopment, contracts, and urban governance. For decades, the undivided Shiv Sena dominated the BMC by projecting itself as the guardian of Marathi interests. However, the political landscape has changed dramatically. The split in the Shiv Sena, the rise of the BJP in Mumbai, and shifting voter priorities have weakened the traditional Marathi-centric hold over the city’s politics. As the BJP consolidates support among business communities — particularly Gujaratis and north Indians — regional parties see identity-based mobilisation as a tool to counter this expansion. Raj and Uddhav’s Shared but Separate Strategy Although estranged politically, both Thackeray cousins are drawing from the same ideological well. Uddhav Thackeray, leading the Shiv Sena (UBT), is attempting to reassert his party’s legacy as the protector of Mumbai’s Marathi identity after losing power and organisational strength. Raj Thackeray, heading the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), is seeking relevance after years on the political margins by returning to sharper, emotive rhetoric around language, jobs, and cultural dominance. By framing Mumbai as slipping out of Marathi hands, both leaders hope to reignite emotional connections that once translated into votes. BJP’s Growing Influence in Mumbai The BJP’s steady rise in Mumbai has altered traditional political equations. Its focus on infrastructure — coastal roads, metro projects, redevelopment schemes — and its alignment with powerful trading and business lobbies has helped it expand its urban base. The perception, promoted by rivals, that decision-making power is increasingly shifting towards Gujarati-dominated economic interests has become a convenient political narrative. For Raj and Uddhav, targeting this perception is a way to indirectly challenge the BJP without naming it outright in every instance. Playing on Old Anxieties The idea of outsiders dominating Mumbai is not new. From the 1960s onwards, regional politics in Maharashtra has repeatedly returned to this theme during moments of political uncertainty. The current revival suggests that development-focused campaigns alone may not be enough for regional parties facing organisational and electoral challenges. However, critics argue that reviving such anxieties risks deepening social divides in a city built by migrants from across India. Mumbai’s economic strength, they point out, comes precisely from its diversity and openness. Will the Strategy Work? Political analysts remain divided. While identity-based appeals may consolidate a core Marathi vote, Mumbai’s electorate has become more aspirational, fragmented, and issue-driven. Younger voters, in particular, may prioritise jobs, housing, transport, and civic services over cultural rhetoric. There is also the risk that aggressive identity politics could push undecided voters further towards parties promising stability and development. The Bigger Picture As the BMC elections approach, the resurfacing of the “Gujarati takeover” narrative signals a high-stakes battle for Mumbai’s political soul. Whether this strategy helps the Thackerays reclaim lost influence or exposes the limits of nostalgia-driven politics will become clear when voters have their say.
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