13/01/2026
A political reunion, a viral map, and a billionaire’s empire - Mumbai’s BMC election just turned into a battle over Adani’s rise.
A dramatic Thackeray reunion on January 11, 2026, has turned the upcoming BMC elections into a direct confrontation with the BJP and billionaire Gautam Adani.
At a massive Mumbai rally, Raj Thackeray unveiled a viral digital map contrasting Adani’s modest 2014 presence with his sweeping 2026 dominance across airports, electricity, and the $3 billion Dharavi redevelopment project, accusing the government of “selling Mumbai” to Gujarat-based interests.
The attack taps into a broader national debate fueled by comparisons of Adani’s meteoric rise under Prime Minister Narendra Modi - from a $7B regional commodities player to a global infrastructure titan peaking above $100B, now controlling 25% of India’s airport traffic along with major stakes in cement, media (NDTV), and green energy.
Global pressure has intensified since a November 2024 US DOJ indictment alleged Adani paid $265 million in bribes to secure solar contracts, adding an international layer to a political storm now reshaping Mumbai’s electoral battlefield.