Battle of Generations, Mumbai

 4th January 2026

Battle of Generations - Mumbai’s time is “NOW”..

Mumbaikars’ tryst with democracy is on 15th January when voting for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), asia’s richest governance setup takes place.

This is a golden chance for voters across all generations like boomers, Gen X, Millennials and Gen Z to elect a set of corporators who could solve their basic problems, and address aspirations optimally. Although each generation’s priorities would be different – from modern infra to lesser corruption to transparency to communal harmony to environment to preserving linguistic identity or track record or diversity-equity-inclusivity to futurist (looking ahead). 

This heady mix of generations and their priorities makes it a lot difficult for political parties to make a common denominator of promises, and put them on their voting platter. Hopefully, the intelligent ones will be able to make a good & believable platter of promises. Less of freebies and more of practical solutions.

Newer Paradigms, dangerous trends..

The increased size and political mobilization of select clusters of populations (mostly on religious basis) have significantly impacted elections and representation in several global cities such as New York, London and northern cities in the UK, Brussels, Paris and other cities in France, Zurich etc.

On the face of it, some can say that these demographic shifts have empowered some communities, while some can see sparked intense political polarization on the basis of religious lines.

While the significance attached to a mayoral chair varies across countries, but if anything to compare, then overarching of mayors of New York and London could be a warning of shape of the things to come in future. The mayors of these marquee megapolis are often seen super-ceding their national elected governments – mostly on community lines.

The governance framework in India is different but, we have seen this similar trends among some state governments like those in West Bengal, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh – when the respective governments in these states seen taking contrarian (against) view of the Central government, by not implementing schemes that could benefit citizens across strata.

Which way will the dream city Mumbai go?

The upcoming elections of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation will be crucial in that sense. Mumbaikars will have a mammoth responsibility to steer the power wheel of the city in a direction that will make it sustainable for centuries to come, sustainable in terms of – nature, water, life, culture, identity, infrastructure, demography and capital.

Significance of a corporator

While a corporator is the last (and first also) link in the chain of electoral democracy, he/she is very crucial since many critical aspects are handled them. Apart from rudimentary road, water, meter, gutter, a corporator is supposed to keep an hawk’s eye on illegal encroachments of roads, open spaces, government plots & buildings, and also illegal activities arising out of that – unauthorized businesses (including drugs and human trafficking), polluting factories, settling infiltrators, and abetting demographic change.

A corporator is an important cog in the wheel of a complex internal security setup which is supposed to ensure the safety and security of citizens. In the context of influx of people from neighbouring counties (Bangladesh, Myanmar and Pakistan), a vigilant and committed elected member is the need of the hour.

Of course there are other important aspects that need to be assertively pushed by local elected members – decentralisation of critical infrastructure including education, medical, sports, social and commercial.

Refresh Mumbai

As the city growing at a humongous pace, transportations is becoming challenging. So a setup of all above elements within a ward (radius of 2-3 km) could lessen traffic in railways, and on main roads.

As we see now, Mumbai’s vertical growth is hitting through the roof. Towers of 50 floors are becoming a norm in new projects. The city has a massive potential for cluster redevelopment and cooperative redevelopment. 

A human centric governance can take this opportunity to release mammoth land spaces that could be eventually used for social & recreation activities.

With this, city’s residential capacity will get formalised, and eventually it will put massive impact on basic necessities like water and drains. Although some of road problems could get sorted due to the ongoing concretisation activity, still the need for higher grades of water and sewer pipelines could pose severe challenges in future.

Albeit, like in every elections, the voters are posed with fear psychosis, however this time the city seems at a crucial juncture. Identity.

As the city is flooded with additional new vehicles on the road, Mobility remains key aspect of a common Mumbaikar’s daily routine.

Some newer infrastructural developments – (cement roads, metro network, coastal roads, augmentation of airport capacity in the MMR region) may be helpful in reducing that stress. In addition to this the city needs massive upgraditon in storm water drainage systems something on the lines of Tokyo where underground tunnels for storage & release of additional water.

Best quality of life (subjective for every socio economic class) may be a mirage since it is a sum of many aspects including physical and social infras. Still, offering a "better quality of life" has been another promise element that all political parties always harp on.

Thus, the 2026 elections could be a milestone for Mumbai’s glorious past and progressive future. It is time for a Mumbaikar to decide – Who could be the best navigator of this ship which seemed stuck in sand for quite some time?

Who are the suitors for 227 wards of the metro?

The BJP-Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde)-RPI alliance (NDA) is promising for an efficient governance through the benefit of triple engine governments (central, state and city). It also promises of installing a setup that will be non-appeasing any single class, yet equal for all. It has strongly demonstrated execution capabilities through successful implementation of 330+ kms of metro network, 2 big coastal roads (getting appended), and concretisation of existing roads. NDA promises a clean and transparent governance.

The “native challengers”, the Thackeray brothers;  Shiv Sena UBT and MNS are harping on Marathi Manoos identity, although bit of tinge of appeasement towards a specific community (a dramatic shift which it acquired during 2019 change of stance with Congress lead MVA) emerges within that.

In the third corner, typical Indian Congress (in alliance with Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi) is silently sharpening claws and getting ready to encash its traditional vote banks,

Last but not the least - Encouraged by recent developments in New York, London and other global cities, some political parties (like AIMIM, SP and part of Sena) have already started their rhetoric by stating their preference identity of the potential mayor (if not now then sometime in future), which pushed the main party BJP (and alliance NDA) to declare its stand on their upcoming mayor (if they win).

Who will lord over the city?

In terms of strength on the ground, resources at hand and election management, the BJP led NDA seems to be steering ahead as of now. However, it would be quite adventurous to write off the Thackeray’s as they tend to get a last minute emotional support from Marathi and low income group voters.

Who should win?

Of course Mumbai. The city needs a refreshment boost (infrastructure, environment, economy, social security and safety) -without putting its identity and sustenance in danger.

An average Mumbaikar need to emerge as the ultimate winner, for that to happen, defeat of “community centrist” and corruption oriented forces will be required.

What is at the stake?

A lot. The budget of BMC is a mammoth approx Rs. 75,000 Crore. It is said to have a fixed deposit of over Rs. 50,000 Cr. The setup administers an estimated area of 480 sq kms and serves an estimated population of 2.5 Cr. It is much bigger than many could imagine, in every aspect - geographical, financial, infrastructural. Mumbai controls strings of political affairs across the countries, and vice versa. 

What’s in the mind then?

Apart from typical water, gutter-meter-road, the key issues (muddas) are improved infrastructure, hyper mobility, better quality of life and liveability, marathi manoos, illegal occupancy. Media and Most political parties will drum around these. However, most important issue which is intangible (and deep states, global forces are pushing) is DEI and replicate New York, London type politics. The NY pattern as some call.

Mumbaikars are said to be sane and practical, yet emotionality attached to the identity of Mumbai, it’s charm and a “non interfering or forcing” culture.

Whether Mumbaikars elect a triple engine governance or falls pray to the “diversity – equity – inclusive” rhetoric (DEI which is termed as “woke” in the west, and now being vehemently opposed) or NY dreams - will be seen in the next 2 weeks.

So, it’s not only the battle of political parties and their agendas, but it is also a battle of generations and their priorities. It would be an intense and interesting one for sure.

Vote for a candidate and party that will ensure not only existing requirements, but also locks safety of future generations.

May the city of Mumbai stand in proud for centuries.

Jai Hind.

Jai Maharashtra.

Jai Mumbai.