Mumbai BMC mayor election 2026 has finally reached a decisive moment after a four‑year delay, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerging as the single largest party in the 227‑member Municipal Corporation. The ruling Mahayuti alliance now holds 118 seats, comfortably above the 114 needed to elect the city’s first citizen. Yet the contest is far from a simple tally; it has become a high‑stakes power play over committee control, reservation politics, and the city’s sprawling budget. Background/Context The Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is Asia’s richest civic body, managing an annual budget that tops ₹60,000 crore and overseeing everything from…
Author: Lukman Isiaq
MNS KDMC shift has sent shockwaves through Mumbai’s political landscape, tightening the race for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) mayoral post and leaving the Uddhav Thackeray‑led Shiv Sena (UBT) reeling. Five corporators from Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) have pledged support to Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena, which is allied with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The move, announced on Wednesday, gives the Shinde‑led Shiv Sena a commanding majority in the 122‑member Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) and sets the stage for a decisive showdown in Mumbai’s richest civic body. Background/Context In the recent municipal elections, the UBT and MNS…
Mumbai Mayor’s Open‑Category Seat Wins Historic Gender Milestone The post of Mumbai Mayor has been reserved for a woman from the open category, following a lottery conducted by the state Urban Development Department on Thursday. The reservation lottery, held in the presence of Minister of State for Urban Development Madhuri Misal, marked a watershed moment in the city’s political landscape, ensuring that the richest municipal body in India will be headed by a woman for the first time in its history. Background and Context The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is not only the largest municipal body in India but also…
Rhythm n Roots is set to light up Bandra’s cultural scene from February 6 to 8, as the Andrean Cultural Committee of St Andrews Church rolls out a three‑day festival that promises to showcase emerging talent across music, dance, and interdisciplinary arts. The event, dubbed the St Andrew’s Bandra musical show, will be staged on the grounds of St Andrew’s School and aims to unite communities through the arts while giving a platform to young performers from the archdiocese of Bombay. Background and Context St Andrews Church, Bandra, has a long tradition of nurturing artistic talent through its annual Bandra…
In a shocking turn of events, two priests from Mumbai’s iconic Mount Mary Basilica have been booked for theft and criminal intimidation, sparking outrage among devotees and raising questions about security protocols at religious institutions. Background/Context The Mount Mary Basilica, located in the upscale Bandra suburb, is one of Mumbai’s most visited churches, drawing thousands of pilgrims each year. In March 2025, a dispute erupted when a local contractor, Robinson Gonsalves, discovered that construction materials were being loaded onto a tempo van by the priests and their security guards. Gonsalves claimed the items were his property, stored on an open plot adjacent to…
Mumbai weather today is a bright, sun‑lit day with temperatures peaking at 28 °C, but residents are cautioned by a very poor air quality alert that could affect health, especially for students and commuters. Background/Context In the early hours of Thursday, January 22, 2026, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a clear‑sky forecast for Mumbai, predicting a dry, comfortable winter day. However, the city’s air quality index (AQI) yesterday registered a staggering 251, placing it in the “Very Poor” category. With the city’s traffic and industrial emissions still high, the AQI is expected to remain elevated into the morning, prompting health advisories…
Sunny skies blanket Mumbai today, but the city’s air quality remains a pressing concern. With temperatures peaking at 28 °C and a low of 22.6 °C, residents can enjoy a warm winter day, yet the Indian Air Quality Index (AQI) still sits in the “Very Poor” category, prompting health advisories and mask recommendations for commuters. Background and Context Mumbai’s winter weather is typically mild, but the city’s industrial activity and vehicular emissions keep pollution levels high. Yesterday’s AQI of 251—well above the safe threshold of 100—was driven by PM2.5 at 116 µg/m³ and PM10 at 140 µg/m³, with carbon monoxide levels reaching 465 µg/m³. The…
A 62‑year‑old senior electrical inspector, Sandhya Pol, has been sentenced to three years’ rigorous imprisonment for demanding a Rs 5 lakh bribe to grant electrical charging permissions for the 50‑storey Ahuja Towers in Prabhadevi, Mumbai. The verdict, delivered by a special court, marks a decisive step in the city’s long‑running fight against corruption and sends a clear message that even high‑ranking officials are not above the law. Background and Context Corruption in public office has been a persistent challenge in India, with the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA) serving as the primary legal tool to curb bribery and maladministration. In Mumbai, the…
Republic Day’s first long weekend has turned Mumbai into a bustling air‑traffic hub, with a surge in bookings and a noticeable rise in fares across domestic routes. Travelers are scrambling to secure seats, and airlines are adjusting prices to meet the sudden spike in demand. Background/Context India’s Republic Day, celebrated on 26 January, falls on a Monday this year, creating a three‑day break that many residents use for short getaways. Historically, Mumbai’s metropolitan region has seen a sharp uptick in air travel during such holidays, as commuters and leisure travelers alike seek quick escapes to nearby cities or religious destinations.…
Republic Day’s first long weekend of 2026 has already set the skies over Mumbai abuzz, with a sharp spike in Mumbai air travel demand and a noticeable uptick in fares. Travelers planning a quick escape to Delhi, Goa or even religious hubs like Ayodhya are finding seats scarce and prices higher than usual, prompting airlines and travel agencies to adjust their strategies. Background/Context India’s Republic Day, celebrated on January 26th, falls on a Monday this year, creating a three‑day holiday that traditionally fuels a surge in domestic travel. Mumbai, the nation’s financial capital, is a major departure hub, and the…