Is Uddhav Thackeray Ready to Take on Rivals in BMC Elections?

Mumbai, June 19 (NationPress) The leader of Shiv Sena UBT, Uddhav Thackeray, initiated his campaign for the forthcoming BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation elections, demonstrating his determination to gain control over the civic administration.

He challenged the BJP and the faction led by Eknath Shinde to confront him, asserting his readiness to face all opponents.

“If we unite today to uphold the significance of Mumbai, we can thwart the ongoing assault... will this (partnership with MNS) materialize? I will act in accordance with your sentiments and the aspirations of the state,” Thackeray articulated.

This address was delivered during the 59th anniversary celebration of Shiv Sena. Although he refrained from explicitly naming MNS or Raj Thackeray, he alluded to both parties as capable of resolving the issues at hand, assuring others that there was no need for concern.

He remarked, “Their operatives are conspiring (to prevent the alliance) and convening meetings in a hotel,” referencing Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s recent discussions with Raj Thackeray at a luxury hotel in the city.

“We will reclaim Mumbai. They are attempting to fracture the Marathi community, fearing the repercussions for their allies if we succeed in Mumbai. These servants of their masters refuse to see the Marathi people united,” he stated, emphasizing his full preparedness to secure electoral victory.

Thackeray criticized the imposition of Hindi as a tactic to divide Hindus. “This is merely another version of Katenge To Batenge. During elections, the BJP exploited this to create a Hindu-Muslim rift. However, by enforcing Hindi, they are causing a division among Hindus. Let me clarify, we will not permit Hindi to become mandatory in Maharashtra. Did you do it in Gujarat? This is an attempt to incite conflict among us, allowing these individuals to evade accountability for their corruption,” he asserted.

He condemned the Shinde faction's event as a gathering of thieves. “I feel sympathy for those who abandon their lineage and lack political successors,” he criticized Shinde, indirectly referencing the BJP’s actions.

Thackeray reminded the BJP of its earlier promise to grant him a two-and-a-half-year tenure as Chief Minister. “Today, the nation requires a Prime Minister. However, while the BJP possesses the PM, it does not represent India. The country demands a Home Minister, not Amit Shah, who is known for destabilizing parties. What we need is a competent defence minister,” he stated.

He further alleged that since the BJP's rise to power at the Centre, numerous issues have arisen. “The temple roof is leaking, there was a plane crash, a train accident, and no one takes accountability. The metro is inundated,” he highlighted.

“Do you not feel ashamed to equate the INDIA Alliance with Indian Mujaheedin? And when calamity struck, you dispatched our MPs to foreign countries. Despite your (PM Modi) international engagements, not a single nation supported you. You are sending our MPs worldwide to defend the Indian perspective. We have undertaken the noble task of standing with our country,” he expressed.

Attacking the BJP, the former Chief Minister of Maharashtra claimed that the corrupt BJP aims to distribute sindoor to the country's mothers and sisters. “What is your interpretation of Hindutva? You criticize us for abandoning Hindutva, yet what about your leader who refers to Colonel Sofiya Quereishi as a sister of Pakistan?” he questioned.

“You have restricted the army's capabilities. Had you not, we would have taken Pakistan. But after a single phone call from Trump, you fell silent. What value is there in such a PM and Home Minister?” he inquired, adding, “Where are the terrorists who targeted the tourists?”

“Have they joined the BJP? Perhaps the BJP will even recruit Dawood, as it appears to be positioning stalls outside prisons,” Thackeray jested, referring to the BJP’s induction of Sudhakar Badgujar from Nasik, who was previously accused of having connections with Dawood Ibrahim's associate, Salim Kutta, while he was in Shiv Sena (UBT).