Mumbai, June 11, 2025:-
With the battle for Mumbai’s civic body heating up, Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) has made a bold move appointing 12 deputy leaders to take charge of campaign efforts across the city.
These leaders aren’t just figureheads. Each one has been carefully chosen to look after key Assembly segments where the party hopes to strengthen its grassroots presence and reconnect with voters ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections.
The decision comes at a time when the Thackeray faction is rebuilding itself after the 2022 political split that shook the Sena’s foundations. The message from Matoshree is clear: It’s time to get back to the people.
Who’s Handling Which Area?
Amol Keertikar has been given charge of Dahisar, Borivali, and Magathane. Uddhav Kadam will handle Charkop, Kandivali, and Malad West. Vilas Potnis is assigned to Dindoshi, Goregaon, and Jogeshwari East. Vishwasrao Nerurkar will oversee Versova, Andheri East, and Andheri West. Ravindra Mirlekar is in charge of Vile Parle, Bandra East, and Bandra West. Gurunath Khot will look after Chandivali, Kalina, and Kurla. Nitin Nandgaonkar will be responsible for Vikhroli, Bhandup, and Mulund. Subodh Acharya will manage Ghatkopar East and West, as well as Shivajinagar–Mankhurd. Manoj Jamsutkar has been allotted Anushakti Nagar, Chembur, and Sion–Koliwada. Arun Dudhwadkar will handle Dharavi, Mahim, and Wadala. Ashok Dhatrak takes charge of Worli, Dadar, and Shivdi. And finally, Sachin Ahir will oversee Malabar Hill, Colaba, and Mumbadevi.
Back to the Streets, Back to the People
These deputy leaders now have the job of rebuilding bridges — not just between voters and the party, but also within communities that felt disconnected during the political shake-ups of recent years.
Their focus? Door-to-door outreach, engaging with local issues, coordinating ward-level campaigns, and building a buzz on the ground. The idea is to bring back the hyper-local style of politics that once made Shiv Sena a household name in Mumbai.
The Bigger Picture
The BMC isn’t just any municipal body. It’s India’s wealthiest, with a budget that rivals that of small states. Controlling it isn’t just about local governance — it’s about political power and visibility.
For Uddhav Thackeray’s camp, these elections are personal. Losing ground in the 2022 split was a setback, but the faction now seems focused on a comeback — and it begins with reconnecting at the grassroots.
What’s Next?
Party insiders say these new leaders have been told: this is your moment to prove yourself. From organizing local meetings to energizing booth-level workers, they’re expected to lead from the front.
Whether this move will turn the tide for Shiv Sena (UBT) remains to be seen. But one thing’s clear — the Thackeray faction is getting serious about fighting the BMC battle not just from offices, but from the lanes and gallis of Mumbai.
