In Maharashtra civic polls, a Marathinama vs Congress manifesto for North Indians

Over a dozen socio-cultural organisations came together in Mumbai on Wednesday (December 31, 2025) to release a draft ‘Marathinama (Marathi manifesto)’ for the upcoming municipal corporation elections in Maharashtra.

The demands put forth by them include candidature to Marathi persons in the elections and 80% reservation in jobs for domiciles, among others.

The organisations will now approach various parties with this manifesto, seeking affidavits from them in support of their cause, including the demand to reserve 80% of jobs for Maharashtra domiciles. The activists present at the meeting also fumed at the Congress for issuing a manifesto for north Indians in Mumbai.

“If the interests of Marathimanoosare to be preserved, we need to come together to form a pressure group on political parties. We have to stand for Marathi schools, Marathi culture and Marathi language. We will have to convince the political parties and act in the collective interest as the Marathi population,” said Suhas Rane, president of Sambhaji Brigade and convener of Samyukta Maharashtra Samiti. The meeting was convened by Marathi Abhyas Kendra.

“The parties that have been vocal about the Marathi language, the Marathi people, and the Maharashtra dharma have failed on issues like promoting Marathi. The Congress releasing a separate manifesto for north Indians is outrageous. It isn’t necessary that everyone agrees on all issues. But it is important to take everyone along for the Marathi cause,” Deepak Pawar of Marathi Abhyas Kendra said.

The ‘Marathinama’ seeks the fielding of Marathi candidates while giving preference to those “who speak Marathi fluently”. It also demands that Mumbai’s mayor be a Marathimanoos.

Speaking on the issue, Mumbai Congress president Varsha Gaikwad said, “We have always stood with the north Indians. We have given them voice and representation in Mumbai.” When asked about the criticism by Marathi Abhyas Kendra, she accused some of trying to create a linguistic divide.

“I am myself a Marathi. We will raise all issues related to Mumbai,” said the senior Congress leader.

Twenty-nine civic bodies across Maharashtra, including the 227-member Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), will go to polls on January 15. Votes will be counted the following day.