BMC Polls: Fadnavis vows to deport Bangladeshis, adds 10,000 buses

Devendra Fadnavis launched the Mahayuti manifesto for BMC polls, promising to deport illegal Bangladeshis using AI and add 10,000 BEST buses. Meanwhile, BJP's alliance with Congress in Ambernath has drawn criticism from Shiv Sena's Sanjay Raut.

Mahayuti Alliance Launches BMC Poll Manifesto

Maharashtra Chief Minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis, along with Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and BJP National General Secretary Vinod Tawde, on Sunday launched the Mahayuti alliance's manifesto for the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. Addressing the gathering, Fadnavis stated that his government aims to identify and deport illegal Bangladeshis in Mumbai, claiming the highest number have already been deported. He added that an AI tool to track them will be ready in six months and promised the addition of 10,000 BEST buses to the city's roads, criticising previous leaders for failing on these issues.

He said, "We'll free Mumbai from Bangladeshis. We've deported the highest so far. With AI, we'll identify and deport 100% Bangladeshis. AI tool will be ready in six months. Soon, there will be 10,000 BEST buses on the roads. We'll identify and deport illegal Bangladeshis. Don't worry about those leaders who've failed."

Municipal Corporation Elections Announced

The State Election Commission in Maharashtra has announced elections to 29 municipal corporations across the state, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC). Polling will be held on January 15, with counting scheduled for January 16.

BJP's Alliances in Municipal Councils Spark Controversy

On January 8, the 12 suspended Congress corporators from Maharashtra's Ambernath municipal council on Thursday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party. BJP, in a rare move, entered into an alliance with Congress to gain control over the Ambernath municipal council to keep out its ally Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena.

Shiv Sena won the highest number of 27 seats, just four shy of a majority in the 60-member House. BJP, on the other hand, won 14 seats, Congress won 12, Ajit Pawar's NCP won 4 seats, and two seats went to independent candidates, prompting BJP to ally with Congress and Ajit Pawar's NCP.

BJP also formed a similar alliance with Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM and several other parties in the Akot Municipal Council in Akola district.

Sanjay Raut Slams BJP's 'Double Standards'

Following the alliance, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut called out the BJP for "their double standards" of giving a slogan of "Congress-free India" and then entering into an alliance with them to secure a majority in the Ambernath municipal council. He also criticised the BJP for being in alliance with Ajit Pawar's NCP, stating that Ajit Pawar does not believe in Veer Savarkar's ideology. (ANI)

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