Mumbai, January 8 (NationPress) The leader of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, Raj Thackeray, asserted on Thursday that the so-called Rs 50 crore culture has emerged as a pivotal issue in Maharashtra's political landscape following the split of the Shiv Sena. He underscored that this is not merely a political jab but a substantial financial claim.

Thackeray pointed out that if 40 MLAs each received Rs 50 crore during the Shiv Sena's division in June 2022, the cumulative amount would total Rs 2,000 crore.

He questioned, "Where did this money originate? Whose funds are these?"

In a joint discussion with his cousin, Uddhav Thackeray—the chief of Shiv Sena-UBT—Raj accused the Mahayuti administration of selectively employing investigative agencies.

He urged the ruling party to clarify how individuals they once deemed "corrupt" are now part of their cabinet.

Raj Thackeray, in a poignant critique of those who departed the "original Shiv Sena", likened them to falcons, stating, "They are birds perched on a hunter's (Delhi's) hand. They do not hunt for their sustenance; instead, they prey upon their own people (the Marathi populace) to please their master." This was a direct reference to the Eknath Shinde faction for "ruining" the party founded by Bal Thackeray.

Addressing Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Raj Thackeray labeled him a "basvilela manus" (a man who has been "set up" or "installed").

He contended that CM Fadnavis has lost his independence and now solely represents "Delhi's" interests.

Thackeray remarked, "A man who is installed by others can only obey the commands of his masters (Delhi)."

Raj also ridiculed CM Fadnavis for his earlier aggressive stances, particularly when he claimed to possess "a bullock cart full of evidence" against NCP chief and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.

He highlighted the irony of Ajit Pawar now being part of the Fadnavis cabinet, asking, "If you had the evidence, why has it not been presented? Why is it only in court now?"

Returning to his foundational ideology of "Marathi Asmita" (Marathi Identity), Raj expressed profound worry regarding the shifting demographics of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

He claimed that every day, 56 trains filled with people arrive in Maharashtra from North India, only to return empty. He argued that this is not organic migration but a systematic "population dump" aimed at diluting the Marathi vote bank.

He warned that North Indians are now brazenly declaring that the Mayor of Mumbai will be a North Indian. He suggested this is a calculated strategy to create new constituencies and ultimately sever Mumbai from Maharashtra.

Raj pointed out that Thane district currently has eight to nine municipal corporations solely due to unchecked population growth, which he believes is straining the state's resources and infrastructure.

Raj Thackeray framed the upcoming 2026 municipal elections not merely as a political contest but as a "last stand" for the Marathi people. He explained that his alliance with Uddhav is essential because "if we do not unite now, there will be no Maharashtra left to protect."