On December 31, 2025, over a dozen socio-cultural groups met in Mumbai to unveil the draft 'Marathinama' manifesto for the upcoming Maharashtra municipal elections. Their key demand: 80% reservation in jobs for Maharashtra domiciles and guaranteed candidature for Marathi candidates, especially those fluent in Marathi. They also want Mumbai’s mayor to be a Marathimanoos (Marathi local). The groups plan to approach political parties for support and affidavits backing these demands. Suhas Rane, president of Sambhaji Brigade and convener of Samyukta Maharashtra Samiti, said, "If the interests of Marathimanoos are 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." The meeting was called by Marathi Abhyas Kendra. Deepak Pawar from the group criticized Congress for issuing a separate manifesto for north Indians in Mumbai. "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," he said. Responding, Mumbai Congress president Varsha Gaikwad said, "We have always stood with the north Indians. We have given them voice and representation in Mumbai." She called the criticism an attempt to create a linguistic divide and added, "I am myself a Marathi. We will raise all issues related to Mumbai." Elections for 29 civic bodies across Maharashtra, including the 227-member Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), will be held on January 15, with vote counting on January 16.