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By:

Abhijit Mulye

21 August 2024 at 11:29:11 am

The Unequal Cousins

Raj Thackeray’s ‘sacrifice’ saved Shiv Sena (UBT) but sank the MNS Mumbai: In the volatile theatre of Maharashtra politics, the long-awaited reunion of the Thackeray cousins on the campaign trail was supposed to be the masterstroke that reclaimed Mumbai. The results of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, however, tell a story of tragic asymmetry. While the alliance has successfully helped the Shiv Sena (UBT) stem the saffron tide and regain lost ground, it has left Raj...

The Unequal Cousins

Raj Thackeray’s ‘sacrifice’ saved Shiv Sena (UBT) but sank the MNS Mumbai: In the volatile theatre of Maharashtra politics, the long-awaited reunion of the Thackeray cousins on the campaign trail was supposed to be the masterstroke that reclaimed Mumbai. The results of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, however, tell a story of tragic asymmetry. While the alliance has successfully helped the Shiv Sena (UBT) stem the saffron tide and regain lost ground, it has left Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) staring at an existential crisis. The final tally reveals a brutal reality for the MNS - Raj Thackeray played the role of the savior for his cousin, but in the process, he may have become the sole loser of the 2026 mandate. The worse part is that the Shiv Sena (UBT) is reluctant to accept this and is blaming Raj for the poor performance of his party leading to the defeat. A granular analysis of the ward-wise voting patterns exposes the fundamental flaw in this tactical alliance. The vote transfer, the holy grail of any coalition, operated strictly on a one-way street. Data suggests that the traditional MNS voter—often young, aggressive, and driven by regional pride—heeded Raj Thackeray’s call and transferred their votes to Shiv Sena (UBT) candidates in wards where the MNS did not contest. This consolidation was critical in helping the UBT hold its fortresses against the BJP's "Infra Man" juggernaut. However, the favor was not returned. In seats allocated to the MNS, the traditional Shiv Sena (UBT) voter appeared hesitant to back the "Engine" (MNS symbol). Whether due to lingering historical bitterness or a lack of instructions from the local UBT leadership, the "Torch" (UBT symbol) voters did not gravitate toward Raj’s candidates. The result? The UBT survived, while the MNS candidates were left stranded. ‘Second Fiddle’ Perhaps the most poignant aspect of this election was the shift in the personal dynamic between the Thackeray brothers. Decades ago, they parted ways over a bitter dispute regarding who would control the party helm. Raj, refusing to work under Uddhav, formed the MNS to chart his own path. Yet, in 2026, the wheel seems to have come full circle. By agreeing to contest a considerably lower number of seats and focusing his energy on the broader alliance narrative, Raj Thackeray tacitly accepted the role of "second fiddle." It was a pragmatic gamble to save the "Thackeray" brand from total erasure by the BJP-Shinde combine. While the brand survived, it is Uddhav who holds the equity, while Raj has been left with the debt. Charisma as a Charity Throughout the campaign, Raj Thackeray’s rallies were, as always, electric. His fiery oratory and charismatic presence drew massive crowds, a sharp contrast to the more somber tone of the UBT leadership. Ironically, this charisma served as a force multiplier not for his own party, but for his cousin’s. Raj acted as the star campaigner who energised the anti-BJP vote bank. He successfully articulated the anger against the "Delhi-centric" politics he accuses the BJP of fostering. But when the dust settled, the seats were won by UBT candidates who rode the wave Raj helped create. The MNS chief provided the wind for the sails, but the ship that docked in the BMC was captained by Uddhav. ‘Marathi Asmita’ Stung by the results and the realisation of the unequal exchange, Raj Thackeray took to social media shortly after the counting concluded. In an emotive post, he avoided blaming the alliance partner but instead pivoted back to his ideological roots. Urging his followers to "stick to the issue of Marathi Manoos and Marathi Asmita (pride)," Raj signaled a retreat to the core identity politics that birthed the MNS. It was a somber appeal, stripped of the bravado of the campaign, hinting at a leader who knows he must now rebuild from the rubble. The 2026 BMC election will be remembered as the moment Raj Thackeray proved he could be a kingmaker, even if it meant crowning the rival he once despised. He provided the timely help that allowed the Shiv Sena (UBT) to live to fight another day. But in the ruthless arithmetic of democracy, where moral victories count for little, the MNS stands isolated—a party that gave everything to the alliance and received nothing in return. Ironically, there are people within the UBT who still don’t want to accept this and on the contrary blame Raj Thackeray for dismal performance of the MNS, which they argue, derailed the UBT arithmetic. They state that had the MNS performed any better, the results would have been much better for the UBT.

Delhi CM presents Rs 1 lakh cr 'historic budget'; women empowerment, infrastructure key focus areas

  • PTI
  • Mar 25, 2025
  • 4 min read

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday presented Rs one lakh crore FY26 Budget with ten focus areas, including Yamuna cleaning, economic empowerment of women, infrastructure, water, and connectivity, asserting that it is a roadmap for making the national capital self-reliant.

In her 138-minute speech, Gupta, who also holds the finance portfolio, called the maiden Budget of the BJP-led Delhi government "historic", emphasising that the era of "corruption and inefficiency" was over.

This is the first Budget presented by a BJP-led government in Delhi in over 26 years, following the party's victory over the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in last month's Assembly elections.


Highlighting the focus on infrastructure development in the city, the chief minister announced that the government has doubled capital expenditure to Rs 28,000 crore in its 2025-26 Budget.

The total Budget outlay for fiscal year 2025-26 marks a 31.5 per cent increase from the previous year.

To combat pollution in Delhi, Rs 300 crore has been set aside by the BJP government.

Taking a dig at the AAP which ruled the city for over 10 years, CM Gupta recited lines of renowned poet Bashir Badr, "Dil ki basti puraani dilli hai, jo bhi guzra hai usne lootaa hai" (The locality of my heart is old Delhi, whoever has passed through it has looted it).

Gupta said that the Budget is the first step to develop the national capital.

"Delhi went down in every aspect of development in the past decade. The previous government ruined the economic health of the national capital like termites," she said.

A major focus of the Budget is the cleaning and rejuvenation of the Yamuna River, inspired by the Sabarmati river-front project.

The government has allocated Rs 500 crore for Yamuna cleaning, ensuring that only treated water enters the river through the decentralization of 40 sewage treatment plants (STPs).

Additionally, Rs 500 crore has been earmarked for the repair and upgradation of STPs, and Rs 250 crore for replacing old sewer lines.

A major focus has also been placed on clean drinking water and sanitation, with Rs 9,000 crore allocated for related projects.

The health sector has been allocated Rs 6,874 crore, with a focus on setting up health and wellness centres and expanding the Ayushman Arogya Mandir initiative. The Delhi government has also allocated Rs 210 crore for providing nutrient kits and an allowance of Rs 21,000 to expecting mothers.

The Delhi government has allocated Rs 1,000 crore for improved transport links connecting NCR and a total of Rs 12,952 crore for the transport sector.

To curb corruption in the free-bus ride scheme for women, the government will replace pink tickets with cards.

For women's welfare, Rs 5,100 crore has been earmarked to provide Rs 2,500 per month to eligible women. Additionally, the government will install 50,000 CCTV cameras across the city to enhance women's safety.

Gupta announced that the government aims to make Delhi an investment- and innovation-friendly city. To achieve this, a new industrial policy and a new warehouse policy will be introduced. A Traders' Welfare Board will also be established.


Furthermore, Delhi will host its first-ever 'Global Investment Summit', which will be held every two years. To support small-scale industries, Rs 50 crore has been earmarked for skill development programs, including bee-keeping.

In a major cultural initiative, the Delhi government will host an 'International Film Festival' with a budget allocation of Rs 30 crore.


The government has also allocated Rs 696 crore for the development in slum clusters and Rs 100 crore has been set aside for opening 100 Atal Canteens across the national capital.


"There is a lot of difference between us and them (AAP). You (AAP) made 'Sheesh Mahal' for yourself, we will build houses for the poor. You installed pot toilets worth lakhs, we will make toilets for the people in slum areas," she said.


On education, Gupta attacked the previous AAP government, accusing it of misleading people about the quality of education. "The AAP government has failed many students in 9th and 11th standard so that their 10th and 12th results appear better," she alleged.


To reform the education system, the government will set up 'CM SHRI Schools', inspired by 'PM SHRI Schools' and aligned with the New Education Policy 2020. The FY26 Budget has allocated Rs 100 crore for these schools.

Additionally, the Delhi government will provide free laptops to 1,200 students passing class 10th and has allocated Rs 7.5 crore for this.


CM Gupta also announced a new education hub in the Narela area. The government has allocated Rs 100 crore for a pilot project to remove overhead electrical lines and shift high-tension power lines.


The environment and forest department will receive Rs 506 crore.

In a key infrastructural move, the Delhi government has set aside Rs 6,897 crore for the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. A new jail will also be set up on the city's outskirts to shift Tihar Jail.


For animal welfare, the government will set up modern cow shelters in Delhi's Ghummanhera area with an allocation of Rs 40 crore.


"This is not just a Budget but a vision for the future of Delhi. We have set some objectives in this Budget-now Delhi will be the city of trust, not void promises," Gupta said.

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