3 Things BJP's BMC sweep, SC split on corruption probes, and IndiGo penalised
Jan 19, 2026
Girish Kuber, a seasoned journalist, dives into the BJP's significant victory in the Maharashtra municipal polls, highlighting shifting urban political dynamics. He explores how opposition fragmentation facilitated BJP's rise and points out the failures of the Thackeray alliance. Meanwhile, legal expert Vineet Bhalla breaks down the Supreme Court's split verdict on Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, weighing the concerns over shielding corrupt practices against the need for accountability. The discussion wraps up with a look at the hefty penalties imposed on IndiGo for its December disruptions.
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Late Alliance And Identity Pitch Failed
- Last-minute alliances and poor grassroots work hurt the Thackeray brothers' prospects.
- Identity appeals like 'save Marathi manus' lacked substance and failed to mobilize broadly.
Civic Problems Took A Backseat
- Civic issues like flooding and infrastructure did not dominate campaigns despite being major urban problems.
- Political messaging leaned on welfare and polarization rather than detailed civic governance plans.
Polarization Plus Welfarism Works
- Polarization (Hindu-Muslim) plus targeted welfare has been BJP's repeat-winning formula.
- This strategy preserves its vote bank while fracturing opponents and boosting allied-community votes.