The outcome of the Bihar Assembly election is expected to influence the upcoming polls to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and other civic bodies, particularly in areas with a sizable number of North Indian voters. With several wards in Mumbai, Thane, Mira-Bhayandar, and Kalyan-Dombivli having a substantial North Indian voter base, the BJP expects the Bihar verdict to have an impact and appeal among these groups.

Knowing the size of the Bihar-origin population in Mumbai, all political parties put up banners and set up help centres during Chhath Puja, which is considered a major festival for the Bihari and a few other North Indian communities. Mumbai BJP president Ameet Satam said, “The Bihar poll is just a trailer, the real picture will be the BMC.” With the reunion of the Thackeray cousins, Uddhav and Raj, over the issue of ‘injustice towards Marathi and its speakers’, it is almost certain that in the coming local body elections, especially in Mumbai and Thane, it will be more of a Marathi-versus-non-Marathi contest, along with development issues.