In a bid to secure the Marathi vote bank, the Thackeray brothers have drawn parallels between the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections and the historic Samyukta Maharashtra Movement of the 1960s. They see this as a crucial battle to safeguard Mumbai’s identity and prevent what they term as a “hostile takeover” of the city. By evoking the significance of the Samyukta Maharashtra Movement, the brothers aim to position themselves as the defenders of local interests against the Mahayuti government.
Uddhav and Raj Thackeray have revisited the historical struggle to keep Mumbai within Maharashtra during the state’s formation, emphasizing the urgency of protecting the city’s identity once again. Uddhav Thackeray, the Shiv Sena-UBT chief, has emphasized the need to unite to protect Maharashtra and prevent any attempts to separate Mumbai from the state. He stressed the importance of preserving Mumbai’s integrity and vowed to resist any such moves.
Expressing concerns that Mumbai is slipping away from Maharashtra’s control, the Thackeray brothers have accused the BJP of engaging in divisive politics. They view the BMC elections on January 15 as a critical juncture for asserting Marathi identity and unity. Raj Thackeray has issued a stern warning to Marathi voters, calling this election the final chance for the Marathi community to make a lasting impact and avoid internal conflicts that could benefit the BJP.
The Thackeray brothers fear that Mumbai is increasingly falling under the influence of interests tied to Gujarat, jeopardizing the city’s autonomy. They clarified that their apprehensions are not about physical secession but about losing control over Mumbai’s resources and decision-making processes. They see the BMC polls as a pivotal moment to prevent external forces from dominating the city’s affairs and safeguarding its future.
Accusing the BJP of exploiting religious divides for political gain, Uddhav Thackeray criticized CM Devendra Fadnavis for allegedly using communal issues for electoral advantage. He even offered a reward for evidence of the BJP contesting an election without resorting to religious polarization tactics.
