BMC’s ‘pot of sin’ smashed, city to taste butter of progress, says Fadnavis 

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday (August 16, 2025) signalled a major shift in Mumbai’s civic politics, claiming that the BJP-led Mahayuti has exposed years of corruption in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). 

Speaking at Dahi Handi celebrations in Mumbai and Thane, Mr. Fadnavis said that the ruling alliance had broken the “pot of sins” that protected those who plundered the civic body and was now focused on unlocking development for the city. 

Speaking to reporters, he said, “Change is certain in the BMC. We have smashed the pot of sins of those who looted the corporation and now we have opened the pot of development for the people of Maharashtra. The butter from this pot will now reach the people.”  

In a pointed attack on Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, the CM remarked, “After so many years of looting, people of Maharashtra now know very well who was eating the butter from the Mumbai municipal corporation. I do not need to add more words.” 

His comments came a day after Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut claimed that the Uddhav Thackeray-led party and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena would contest upcoming civic elections together. The undivided Shiv Sena had controlled the cash-rich BMC for 25 straight years until 2022. 

The Dahi Handi festival, celebrated across Maharashtra to mark Lord Krishna’s birth, saw enthusiastic participation despite rains with govindas (participants) forming human pyramid to break the handi (pot). Folk music and dance like Lavani were organised across the State to mark the festivities like every year. In Dadar, a group of women also broke the pot and won a trophy. “The govindas’ spirit has not been dampened. We want everyone to celebrate the festivities with safety,” Mr. Fadnavis said. 

In Ghatkopar, BJP MLA Ram Kadam dedicated a dahi handi to the security personnel who took part in Operation Sindoor, India’s retaliatory strike in Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack. “Just as our security forces broke Pakistan’s handi of sins, we have dedicated the celebration to honour the bravery of our jawans who fought in the battle ground,” Mr. Fadnavis added. 

The Mahayuti government had recognised Dahi Handi as an adventure sport in 2022 and introduced insurance cover for the participants. 

Later in the day, addressing the govindas at the Tembi Naka Mitra Mandal event in Thane, Mr. Fadnavis praised Deputy CM Eknath Shinde and called him a “true Shiv Sainik of Balasaheb Thackeray” who is carrying forward the legacy of late Sena leader Anand Dighe.