Mumbai, Jan 17 (NationPress) Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray stated on Saturday that although the BJP may have secured more seats, "its victory is tainted by the misuse of authority, while our party's defeat carries a sense of grace." In his first press conference following the BMC results, where Shiv Sena (UBT) claimed 65 seats, Thackeray launched a fierce critique of the BJP, asserting that their attempts to undermine his party through official channels have faltered, failing to erase its bond with the populace.

"I do not perceive our outcome as a defeat. Our setback possesses a certain ‘tej’ (brilliance/grace), while their success is ‘dagallela’ (stained). I liken them to an 'anaconda' due to the BJP's tendency to use and discard. Ultimately, they will extinguish the very alliances they have formed today," Thackeray emphasized.

"The BJP may have theoretically dismantled the Shiv Sena, yet the results from yesterday demonstrate they cannot obliterate the Shiv Sena’s presence in reality," he asserted.

He further condemned the BJP's strategies, claiming their dependence on external maneuvers indicates an underlying weakness.

"The BJP may exist on paper, but not in the hearts of the people. If they genuinely had grassroots support, they wouldn't need to dismantle other parties, exploit government resources, or alter regulations to fulfill their ambitions," he added.

Thackeray began by acknowledging his limited reach during the campaign.

"I was only able to visit Mumbai, Thane, and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar. I apologize to the Shiv Sainiks and voters in areas I couldn't physically visit," he expressed.

He thanked the voters from "Chanda to Banda" (across Maharashtra) who rallied behind the alliance of Shiv Sena, MNS, and NCP. However, he criticized the ruling parties’ tactics.

"The ruling factions approached these elections in a bizarre and filthy manner. They regarded every seat as a matter of life and death, exceeding the boundaries of ‘saam-daam-dand-bhed’ (persuasion, money, punishment, and division). Despite the allure of money and intimidation, those who remained steadfast and cast their votes are the true defenders of democracy," he stated.

Questioning the election results, Thackeray highlighted the disparity between public sentiment and the final tally.

"I am yet to solve one mathematical conundrum," Thackeray remarked.

"During the Assembly elections, Modi conducted rallies; this time it was Fadnavis who held rallies, yet the seats were vacant. In contrast, the rallies hosted by Raj and myself attracted large crowds. It remains a conundrum how empty seats translated into votes for them," he added.

He further alleged that the victory was bolstered by "development funds" utilized for distributing pressure cookers, sarees, and cash.

"Where does this funding originate?" he questioned.

Against this backdrop, Thackeray celebrated the triumph of his party workers, commending the perseverance of the common Shiv Sainik. He noted that his candidates triumphed despite contending with "a torrent of wealth" from the opposition.

"Our dedicated party members have demonstrated how loyalty can overcome immense financial power," Thackeray remarked.

While expressing sincere appreciation to the citizens of Mumbai, Thackeray admitted he had aspired for a more robust mandate. He reflected on the party's 25-year legacy of service in the city and the global acclaim of the “Mumbai model” during the COVID-19 crisis.

"We presented our record of service and advancements to the people. Given our efforts throughout the pandemic, we anticipated a more significant endorsement from Mumbaikars. Nevertheless, while the support may not have reached the magnitude we envisioned, it is still considerable," he noted.

He refrained from labeling the outcome as a defeat.