In Mumbai’s recent elections, voters dismissed the Marathi vs Gujarati narrative that dominated political campaigns. Despite the historical division in the city’s electorate, many voters chose to prioritize development and infrastructure over identity politics.
Traditionally, areas such as Malabar Hill, Kandivli East, Borivali, and Vile Parle have seen a significant Gujarati community influence, often aligning with the BJP. On the other hand, Marathi-majority neighbourhoods like Shivaji Park, Lalbaug, and Worli form the backbone of Shiv Sena’s support base.
During the campaign, several political parties leaned into the “Marathi vs Gujarati” rhetoric, citing the migration of industries to Gujarat to rally Marathi votes. Uddhav Thackeray, addressing a rally before the polls, emphasized the Gujarat influence, criticizing Modi and Amit Shah for creating a divide and appealing to Gujaratis to recognize their true adversaries.
However, on election day, the city’s voters seemed uninterested in the divisive appeal. Hasmukh Mehta, a retired banker from Pant Nagar, said, “We live peacefully here, side by side. Politicians may try to divide us, but we know better.” Similarly, Priyanka Shah, a 20-year-old from Tilak Road, emphasized that her vote was focused on development, specifically for better roads and public spaces. “My vote isn’t against any community,” she added.
In the end, Mumbai’s electorate showed a preference for progress and unity, dismissing the attempt to politicize community identities.
