05 January,2026 04:17 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Milind Deora said that he campaigned for the two `promising` candidates. Pic/X
Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena leader Milind Deora on Monday expressed confidence in two Mahayuti alliance candidates contesting the upcoming BMC Election 2026 in south Mumbai.
In a post on X, Deora said that he campaigned for the two 'promising' candidates and wished them success in the upcoming polls.
He said that the candidates would connect with voters and help secure victory for the Mahayuti alliance.
Deora campaigned for Ruchi Wadkar, who is contesting from Ward No. 224, and Rita Makwana, contesting from Ward No. 222, stating that both leaders have the potential to win the trust of citizens in their respective wards.
The campaigning in Mumbai by senior political leaders have intensified ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, with major parties focusing on local outreach and grassroots mobilisation, particularly in important areas of Mumbai.
The Mahayuti alliance, comprising the BJP, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the NCP faction led by Ajit Pawar, is seeking to strengthen its presence in Mumbai's civic body through coordinated campaigning and strong local candidates.
With the battle for control of Mumbai civic body intensifying ahead of the BMC Election 2026, the ruling Mahayuti alliance on Saturday launched a sharp political attack on its rivals while projecting development and governance as its core agenda.
Addressing a joint rally of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena at the NSCI Dome in Worli, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis described the BMC elections as a contest to change Mumbai's image and improve the lives of its citizens.
Fadnavis said the Mahayuti was a coalition that delivered on its promises, unlike others who, he claimed, relied only on empty rhetoric -- a veiled reference to the Shiv Sena (UBT).
"Vote us to power in the BMC and see the difference we make to the city," the Chief Minister urged.
Fadnavis also used the rally to counter claims made by the Thackeray cousins over the Marathi identity of Mumbai's leadership.
"Mumbai's mayor will be Marathi only," he said.
The rally marked the first joint public meeting of the BJP-Shinde Sena alliance for the prestigious civic polls. The undivided Shiv Sena ruled the BMC for nearly 25 years. Until 2017, the Shiv Sena and the BJP jointly governed the civic body before contesting separately in that year's elections. In 2017, the undivided Shiv Sena emerged as the single largest party with 84 seats, while the BJP followed closely with 82 seats in the 227-member civic body.
Echoing similar views, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that Balasaheb Thackeray was "the only brand". He was responding to claims by Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray that the Thackeray brand had reunited.
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