Mahayuti manifesto offers AI to track illegal migrants, Congress reacts| India News

Mahayuti manifesto offers AI to track illegal migrants, Congress reacts| India News

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Maharashtra Municipal Election 2026 Live: Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis with state deputy chief minister Ekanth Shinde and others during the launch of Mahayuti’s manifesto for BMC elections, in Mumbai, Sunday.

Maharashtra Municipal Election 2026 Live: The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance on Sunday unveiled the manifesto for the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls which are being held on January 15. Maharashtra chief minister launched the document which, among other things, highlighted the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to identify and deport illegal Bangladeshi citizens and Rohingyas

“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,” Fadnavis was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

He also said the alliance aims to expand the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) fleet from around 5,000 to 10,000 buses, switch to electric vehicles and, introduce a 50 per cent concession on fares for women travellers.

The Congress raised questions on Fadnavis’s claim that highest number of illegal immigrants had been identified from Maharashtra and challenged him to make the data public. “If the government has indeed identified the highest number, it should release the figures,” Maharashtra Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant was quoted as saying by PTI.

Maharashtra gears up for the civic elections on January 15, the state government has declared a holiday for the day of voting. Meanwhile, parties continue to release their manifestos and hold rallies as they try to make the most of their last few days of campaigning.

The Thackeray cousins, Raj and Uddhav, who reunited for the local elections after 20 years, held their first joint rally in Nashik on Friday and as per PTI, as set to hold another on Monday.

Political activity across Maharashtra has also picked up as we approach the final Sunday before polling day. Parties such as the BJP, Shiv Sena, Nationalist Congress Party and the Indian National Congress are finalising their plans while also trading sharp allegations and making quick political moves.

Maharashtra civic polls across 29 corporations

For the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, a total of 1,700 candidates are contesting the 227-wards. The civic elections will be held across 29 municipal corporations on January 15, 2026. For smooth operation and voting, a government holiday has been declared for Thursday.

The 29 corporations heading to the polls are –

Mumbai Municipal Corporation

2. Thane Municipal Corporation

3. Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation

4. Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation

5. Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation

6. Bhiwandi-Nizampur Municipal Corporation

7. Mira-Bhayander Municipal Corporation

8. Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation

9. Panvel Municipal Corporation

10. Nashik Municipal Corporation

11. Malegaon Municipal Corporation

12. Ahilyanagar (Ahmednagar) Municipal Corporation

13. Jalgaon Municipal Corporation

14. Dhule Municipal Corporation

15. Pune Municipal Corporation

16. Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation

17. Solapur Municipal Corporation

18. Kolhapur Municipal Corporation

19. Ichalkaranji Municipal Corporation

20. Sangli-Miraj-Kupwad Municipal Corporation

21. Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Corporation

22. Nanded-Waghala Municipal Corporation

23. Parbhani Municipal Corporation

24. Jalna Municipal Corporation

25. Latur Municipal Corporation

26. Amravati Municipal Corporation

27. Akola Municipal Corporation

28. Nagpur Municipal Corporation

29. Chandrapur Municipal Corporation

The State Election Commission has announced that voting for civic election 2026 will take place on January 15 from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm. The results for the Maharashtra civic elections will be declared on Friday, January 16, 2026.

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“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,” Fadnavis was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

He also said the alliance aims to expand the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) fleet from around 5,000 to 10,000 buses, switch to electric vehicles and, introduce a 50 per cent concession on fares for women travellers.

The Congress raised questions on Fadnavis’s claim that highest number of illegal immigrants had been identified from Maharashtra and challenged him to make the data public. “If the government has indeed identified the highest number, it should release the figures,” Maharashtra Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant was quoted as saying by PTI.

Maharashtra gears up for the civic elections on January 15, the state government has declared a holiday for the day of voting. Meanwhile, parties continue to release their manifestos and hold rallies as they try to make the most of their last few days of campaigning.

The Thackeray cousins, Raj and Uddhav, who reunited for the local elections after 20 years, held their first joint rally in Nashik on Friday and as per PTI, as set to hold another on Monday.

Political activity across Maharashtra has also picked up as we approach the final Sunday before polling day. Parties such as the BJP, Shiv Sena, Nationalist Congress Party and the Indian National Congress are finalising their plans while also trading sharp allegations and making quick political moves.

Maharashtra civic polls across 29 corporations

For the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, a total of 1,700 candidates are contesting the 227-wards. The civic elections will be held across 29 municipal corporations on January 15, 2026. For smooth operation and voting, a government holiday has been declared for Thursday.

The 29 corporations heading to the polls are –

Mumbai Municipal Corporation

2. Thane Municipal Corporation

3. Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation

4. Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation

5. Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation

6. Bhiwandi-Nizampur Municipal Corporation

7. Mira-Bhayander Municipal Corporation

8. Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation

9. Panvel Municipal Corporation

10. Nashik Municipal Corporation

11. Malegaon Municipal Corporation

12. Ahilyanagar (Ahmednagar) Municipal Corporation

13. Jalgaon Municipal Corporation

14. Dhule Municipal Corporation

15. Pune Municipal Corporation

16. Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation

17. Solapur Municipal Corporation

18. Kolhapur Municipal Corporation

19. Ichalkaranji Municipal Corporation

20. Sangli-Miraj-Kupwad Municipal Corporation

21. Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Corporation

22. Nanded-Waghala Municipal Corporation

23. Parbhani Municipal Corporation

24. Jalna Municipal Corporation

25. Latur Municipal Corporation

26. Amravati Municipal Corporation

27. Akola Municipal Corporation

28. Nagpur Municipal Corporation

29. Chandrapur Municipal Corporation

The State Election Commission has announced that voting for civic election 2026 will take place on January 15 from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm. The results for the Maharashtra civic elections will be declared on Friday, January 16, 2026.

Follow all the updates here:

Jan 11, 2026 7:29:09 PM IST

Table of Contents

Maharashtra Municipal Election 2026 Live: Contesting polls with a sense of déjà vu, says Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC

Maharashtra Municipal Election 2026 Live: Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Anil Dattatray Parab in an interview with HT said the upcoming local body polls are crucial for the party as it will determine its political. “This is the party’s first BMC election after the split in 2022. The BJP is no longer our poll ally. We are contesting this election with a sense of déjà vu – talking of the Marathi manoos, which was our agenda in the 1968 municipal election. This suits us well as it evokes Balasaheb Thackeray’s legacy,” he said in the interview.

Jan 11, 2026 6:57:45 PM IST

Maharashtra Municipal Election 2026 Live: We can still shut down Mumbai in 10 minutes, says Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Sanjay Raut

Maharashtra Municipal Election 2026 Live: Asserting the influence of Thackeray family in Maharashtra politics, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader on Sunday said the family cannot be wiped out. “We can still shut down Mumbai in 10 minutes,” he said in an interview with NDTV.

Jan 11, 2026 6:45:22 PM IST

Maharashtra Municipal Election 2026 Live: Ambernath fiasco casts shadow on BMC polls

Maharashtra Municipal Election 2026 Live: After the BJP-Congress alliance drama, the 12 suspended corporators who were suspended from Maharashtra’s Ambernath municipal council joined the BJP on Thursday.

Jan 11, 2026 6:43:14 PM IST

Maharashtra Municipal Election 2026 Live: Shiv Sena (UBT) joins Eknath Shinde’s faction

Maharashtra Municipal Election 2026 Live: Amid the ongoing preps for the Maharashtra local body polls, being held on January 15, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Dagdu Sakpal drifted from the party to join Eknath Shinde’s faction.

Jan 11, 2026 6:23:06 PM IST

Maharashtra Municipal Election 2026 Live: Piyush Goyal’s prediction for BMC polls

Maharashtra Municipal Election 2026 Live: Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Sunday expressed confidence in the BJP-Shiv Sena victory in the upcoming BMC elections, saying they would win more than 90 per cent of the 42 seats in North Mumbai. Goyal expressed strong confidence in the BJP-Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) alliance, noting that Mumbai residents are satisfied with the governance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the current state government leaders.

Jan 11, 2026 5:36:43 PM IST

Maharashtra Municipal Election 2026 Live: Sanjay Raut’s ‘city of goons’ jibe at BJP, NCP

Maharashtra Municipal Election 2026 Live: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Saturday said that the ruling BJP and NCP would have given a ticket to Dawood Ibrahim’s relatives if they had met with him. While addressing a public rally here, he said that the Mahayuti can’t win elections without hooliganism. Raut argued that Pune, once known for its beauty, is known as a “city of goons”.

Jan 11, 2026 4:46:30 PM IST

Maharashtra Municipal Election 2026 Live: Cong questions Fadnavis over Bangladeshi, Rohingya claim

Maharashtra Municipal Election 2026 Live: Following CM Fadnavis’s claim that maximum number of Bangladeshi nationals and Rohingyas were identified in Maharashtra, Congress reacted and asked him to make the data public. “If the government has indeed identified the highest number, it should release the figures,” Maharashtra Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant was quoted as saying by PTI.

Jan 11, 2026 4:31:18 PM IST

Maharashtra Municipal Election 2026 Live: BJP suspends 18 members in Latur

Maharashtra Municipal Election 2026 Live: The BJP on Sunday reportedly suspended 18 members of its Latur unit for six years for allegedly violating party discipline and disrupting organisational functioning. The majority of them are contesting the upcoming Latur Municipal Corporation elections independently, PTI reported.

The conduct of certain members of the local BJP unit was found to be detrimental to party discipline, its city district president Ajit Patil Kavekar was quoted as saying.

Jan 11, 2026 4:20:49 PM IST

Maharashtra Municipal Election 2026 Live: ‘Balasaheb Thackeray’s vision lives on’: Dy CM Shinde

Maharashtra Municipal Election 2026 Live: Maharashtra deputy chief minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde on Sunday said the Mahayuti government will prioritise development for Marathis Shinde said the government would build 30-35 lakh homes, make Mumbai a Fintech hub, strengthen roads, and invest 17,000 crore to make the city pollution-free. At the launch of Mahayuti’s BMC poll manifesto, Shinde said efforts are underway to make Mumbai slum-free. “Welfare schemes launched. Balasaheb Thackeray’s vision lives on. Our development is for Marathis. We’ll build multiplex theaters for them! Marathis, we’ll do 10 times more for you…Mumbai needs to be brought back to its people. A slum-free Mumbai was Balasaheb’s dream. We’re working on SRA in Ghatkopar for 17,000 people,” Shinde was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

Jan 11, 2026 4:18:07 PM IST

Maharashtra Municipal Election 2026 Live: What Fadnavis said on AI for identifying and deporting ‘illegal Bangladeshis’

Maharashtra Municipal Election 2026 Live: CM Fadnavis, while launching Mahayuti’s BMC poll manifesto said the AI tool to identify and deport ‘illegal Bangladeshis’ will be ready in six months, “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,” Fadnavis said.

Jan 11, 2026 2:48:10 PM IST

Maharashtra Municipal Election 2026 Live: Highlights of Mahayuti manifesto for BMC polls

Maharashtra Municipal Election 2026 Live: The BJP-led Mahayuti’s BMC poll manifesto includes promises ranging from “technology-led governance” to making India’s financial capital “a global powerhouse”, to “freeing” the city from an alleged influx of illegal Bangladeshi migrants. The manifesto also promised a 50 per cent concession on fares for women in BEST buses. Read full story here.

Jan 11, 2026 2:42:03 PM IST

Maharashtra Municipal Election 2026 Live: Transport, women’s safety on Mahayuti manifesto

Maharashtra Municipal Election 2026 Live: As CM Fadnavis launched the alliance manifesto for the upcoming BMC polls, transport and women’s safety were a key highlight as Fadnavis said the alliance aims to expand the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) fleet from around 5,000 to 10,000 buses, switch to electric vehicles and introduce a 50 per cent concession on fares for women travellers, PTI reported.

Jan 11, 2026 2:32:09 PM IST

Maharashtra Municipal Election 2026 Live: What are ‘midi’, ‘mini’ services proposed in Mahayuti manifesto?

Maharashtra Municipal Election 2026 Live: The Mahayuti manifesto highlights ‘midi’ and ‘mini services to improve last-mile connectivity around Metro and railway stations.

Jan 11, 2026 2:25:11 PM IST

Maharashtra Municipal Election 2026 Live: ‘Japanese technology’ to tackle chronic civic issues, says Fadnavis

Maharashtra Municipal Election 2026 Live: As Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis unveiled the Mahayuti manifesto for the upcoming BMC polls, he said BJP-Shiv Sena-RPI (A) alliance would combine “Japanese technology” with local administration to tackle chronic civic problems and bring services to citizens’ mobile phones.

Jan 11, 2026 2:17:41 PM IST

Maharashtra Municipal Election 2026 Live: Mahayuti vows AI tool to get “rid of Bangladeshis, Rohingyas’

Maharashtra Municipal Election 2026 Live: Upon releasing the Mahayuti manifesto, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has vowed to work with IIT Bombay to work on an AI tool to identify Bangladeshi migrants.

“We will free Mumbai of Bangladeshis and Rohingyas. With the help of IIT, we will develop an AI tool to identify Bangladeshi migrants,” said Fadnavis.

Jan 11, 2026 1:57:25 PM IST

Maharashtra Municipal Election 2026 Live: Healthcare, public transport and slum development on Mahayuti BMC manifesto

Maharashtra Municipal Election 2026 Live: The Mahayuti alliance, led by the BJP, released its manifesto for the BMC elections on Sunday. Among the key promises made by the ruling alliance, focus has been brought upon healthcare, public transport and slum development.

For Healthcare, the alliance has vowed to strengthen BMC run hospitals with better infrastructure and affordable healthcare for all Mumbai resident.

Meanwhile for slum redevelopment, the alliance has pushed for affordable housing projects, which will have basic amenities.

The ruling alliance has also called fir metro network expansion and better last-mile connectivity.

Jan 11, 2026 1:52:47 PM IST

Maharashtra Municipal Election 2026 Live: UBT leader quits, shifts to Shinde Sena ahead of BMC polls

Maharashtra Municipal Election 2026 Live: Former MLA Dagdu Sakpal has quit Shiv Sena (UBT) and has joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, ahead of the BMC elections.

Sakpal formally joined the party in the presence of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday.

This comes after, 12 suspended Congress corporators from Maharashtra’s Ambernath municipal council on Thursday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aditya Thackeray accused the BJP of indulging in “dirty and communal politics”, claiming that the party has failed to address key public issues.

Jan 11, 2026 1:45:21 PM IST

Maharashtra Municipal Election 2026 Live: Mahayuti alliance releases manifesto for BMC

Maharashtra Municipal Election 2026 Live: The Mahayuti alliance, led by BJJP, has at least released its manifesto for the BMC polls. Released on Sunday in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, the manifesto focuses on areas of urban infrastructure, public transport, healthcare, housing and slum rehabilitation, environment, and governance and transparency.

Jan 11, 2026 1:12:12 PM IST

Maharashtra Municipal Election 2026 Live: Supriya Sule targets Mahayuti over Thane’s water, civic woes

Maharashtra Municipal Election 2026 Live: NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule has launched a scathing attack on the ruling Mahayuti government, claiming that while Thane has been projected as a “civilised” city, issues of water shortage, dumping grounds, and other civic problems have remained unresolved.

“But where exactly did this money go? Why are basic facilities still not available to citizens even after so many years?” Sule asked, alleging that houses and cars of those in power have become bigger, but the problems of citizens have remained unchanged.

Jan 11, 2026 12:44:55 PM IST

Maharashtra Municipal Election 2026 Live: Pune ‘a city of goons’, says Sanjay Raut

Maharashtra Municipal Election 2026 Live: Ahead of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Saturday said that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) would have given a ticket to Dawood Ibrahim’s relatives if they had met with him.

While addressing a public rally, the UBT leader said that the Mahayuti can’t win elections without hooliganism, adding that Pune, once known for its beauty, is known as a “city of goons”.

“Pune was once a very beautiful city, but today it is known as a city of goons. Whether it is the BJP or Ajit Pawar’s party, there is hardly any gang whose relatives have not been given election tickets by these parties. I once said that if these people had met Dawood, they would have given tickets to his brother or relatives, including Chhota Shakeel and Chhota Rajan. These people cannot win elections without hooliganism,” Raut said.

Jan 11, 2026 12:08:39 PM IST

Maharashtra Municipal Election 2026 Live: Piyush Goyal’s swipe at Thackeray brothers

Maharashtra Municipal Election 2026 Live: Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Sunday took a swipe at the reunion of Raj and Uddhav Thackeray. Speaking to NDTV, the commerce minister said – “zero plus zero is equal to zero,” hinting at the newfound alliance between Shiva Sena UBT and MNS for the upcoming civic polls.

Jan 11, 2026 11:37:54 AM IST

Maharashtra Municipal Election 2026 Live: State assembly speaker’s brother shows ₹124 cr assets in affidavit for BMC polls

Maharashtra Municipal Election 2026 Live: Makrand Narwekar, younger brother of Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar, is among the wealthiest candidates for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election. As per the State Election Commission, Narwekar has declared assets of 124.4 crore.

Seeking a third term from ward no 226 on a BJP ticket, Makrand could be the wealthiest candidate in the BMC elections.

Jan 11, 2026 11:15:23 AM IST

Maharashtra Municipal Election 2026 Live:Fadnavis announces plans to redevelop Dharavi

Maharashtra Municipal Election 2026 Live: Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday spoke about plans to redevelop Dharavi and said that every eligible resident would be provided a 350 sq ft home.

“We will redevelop Dharavi. Every person will have their own house. All eligible people will receive a 350 sq. ft. house in Dharavi. We will request PM Narendra Modi to come for the foundation stone laying ceremony of the redevelopment project,” he was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

Jan 11, 2026 11:06:14 AM IST

Maharashtra Municipal Election 2026 Live: Govinda campaigns for Shiv Sena candidate

Maharashtra Municipal Election 2026 Live: Actor and Shiv Sena leader Govinda was out on the streets of Mumbai on Friday to campaign for the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections.

The actor-turned-politician joined the campaign to appeal to voters and gather support for the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.

As part of the outreach, Govinda travelled through Mumbai’s Kamathipura area in an open jeep. Many people lined the roads to catch a glimpse of him.

Jan 11, 2026 10:59:30 AM IST

Maharashtra Municipal Election 2026 Live: Parties intensify campaign on final Sunday before polls

Maharashtra Municipal Election 2026 Live: With Sunday (January 11) being the last day before the election, political parties stepped up their campaign across the city, planning rallies, roadshows, and door-to-door outreach to reach maximum voters.

Pradeep Deshmukh, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader, said it was natural for campaigning to peak on the final Sunday.

Jan 11, 2026 10:46:41 AM IST

Maharashtra Municipal Election 2026 Live: Where are the elections being held?

Maharashtra Municipal Election 2026 Live: The civic elections will be held across 29 municipal corporations on January 15, 2026. These are –

1. Mumbai Municipal Corporation

2. Thane Municipal Corporation

3. Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation

4. Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation

5. Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation

6. Bhiwandi-Nizampur Municipal Corporation

7. Mira-Bhayander Municipal Corporation

8. Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation

9. Panvel Municipal Corporation

10. Nashik Municipal Corporation

11. Malegaon Municipal Corporation

12. Ahilyanagar (Ahmednagar) Municipal Corporation

13. Jalgaon Municipal Corporation

14. Dhule Municipal Corporation

15. Pune Municipal Corporation

16. Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation

17. Solapur Municipal Corporation

18. Kolhapur Municipal Corporation

19. Ichalkaranji Municipal Corporation

20. Sangli-Miraj-Kupwad Municipal Corporation

21. Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Corporation

22. Nanded-Waghala Municipal Corporation

23. Parbhani Municipal Corporation

24. Jalna Municipal Corporation

25. Latur Municipal Corporation

26. Amravati Municipal Corporation

27. Akola Municipal Corporation

28. Nagpur Municipal Corporation

29. Chandrapur Municipal Corporation

Jan 11, 2026 10:30:30 AM IST

Maharashtra Municipal Election 2026 Live: BJP yet to release BMC manifesto

Maharashtra Municipal Election 2026 Live: The Bharatiya Janata Party is yet to release its manifesto for the Mumbai BMC civic polls. The party had reportedly planned to launch the document in early January, based on its ‘Awaaz Mumbaikarancha’ citizen survey.

“With just five days left for the polls, the BJP has no agenda, no vision or direction and no manifesto for the city of Mumbai. It is speaking on abstract ideas, issues about the failure of the BJP’s union government to control cross-border infiltration, but nothing about the city. Maybe as a last-minute idea, it will release one that is even more abstract, like 2047, Vikasit Bharat and some more fictional ideation with astronomical numbers,” wrote Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on sociamedia platform X.

Jan 11, 2026 10:29:42 AM IST

Maharashtra Municipal Election 2026 Live: January 15 declared government holiday for voting

Maharashtra Municipal Election 2026 Live: The government of Maharashtra has declared January 15, 2026 a holiday for the upcoming civic elections. A total of 29 municipal corporations across the state will be heading to the polls on Thursday.

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