As Mumbai heads for civic elections on January 15, the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance appears to have gained a clear advantage. Civic spending patterns over the past three years show a strong political tilt even before campaigning begins.
RTI records reveal that between February 2023 and October 2025, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation approved over ₹1,490 crore for development projects. These included road repairs, drainage work, health facilities and neighbourhood upgrades. More than 99% of this amount — about ₹1,477 crore — went to areas represented by MLAs, MLCs and MPs from the Mahayuti alliance, which includes the BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar-led NCP.
Opposition-held constituencies received only a fraction of the funds. Just ₹13.74 crore, or under 1%, went to the Opposition, mainly benefiting Congress MLA Amin Patel. Legislators from Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress and SP reported receiving no funds at all. This trend mirrors findings reported earlier in 2024, when all civic funds under an earlier policy phase went to ruling-party lawmakers.
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Mumbai: Funds skewed toward ruling alliance areas over past three years
The timing of fund releases has further raised concerns. RTI data shows that the BMC disbursed large sums to ruling-party legislators ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. During the same period, most Opposition representatives received nothing. Even among Mumbai-based MLCs without constituencies, only ruling-party members secured funding, despite Opposition MLCs saying officials ignored their proposals.
The imbalance traces back to a temporary policy introduced after the BMC’s elected body was dissolved. The policy allowed MLAs and MPs to propose development works, while Guardian Ministers approved the funds. Ruling leaders deny bias and blame procedural lapses, but Opposition lawmakers say delays have hurt residents awaiting basic services. Policy experts note that visible infrastructure work often shapes voter perception, giving ruling legislators a clear edge before elections.