- Marathi Identity at Stake
- BJP Under Direct Attack
- Political Heat Rises
Article Today, Mumbai:
The political battle in Mumbai has reached a flashpoint ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections. After nearly twenty years of political rivalry, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena president came together on a common platform. The reunion has intensified the electoral atmosphere across the city.
Hindi Imposition Warning
Raj Thackeray issued a sharp warning against any attempt to impose Hindi in Maharashtra. He said such efforts would not be tolerated on Marathi soil. He stated that people migrating from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar must recognise that Hindi is not the local language of the State. While clarifying that he does not oppose any language, he cautioned against linguistic domination.
Call to Protect Marathi Identity
Raj Thackeray described the civic polls as the final battle for Marathi people. He warned that if this opportunity was lost, the existence of the Marathi community in Mumbai would gradually disappear. He said land and language are fundamental to human dignity and reminded voters that Mumbai became part of Maharashtra after many sacrifices.
Appeal for Vigilance
Calling for alertness on polling day, Raj Thackeray urged party workers to prevent bogus voting. He said the responsibility of safeguarding Marathi rights now rests with the electorate. Therefore, he appealed for unity and discipline among supporters.
Reason for Thackeray Unity
Uddhav Thackeray said the brothers had come together solely to prevent the threat facing Mumbai. He stated that political differences were set aside in the interest of Marathi people. He added that Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS had united to stop external dominance over the city.
Allegations Against BJP
The Thackeray brothers accused the of attempting to economically link Mumbai with Gujarat. They alleged that large infrastructure projects, including the bullet train project, were part of this conspiracy. According to them, the objective was to shift Mumbai’s economic strength out of Maharashtra.
Land Transfer Claims
They further alleged that valuable land in Mumbai was being handed over to industrialist and other corporate interests. They claimed that the civic administration was being used to facilitate these transfers. However, they maintained that such attempts would be resisted.
Attack on “Fake Hindutva”
Uddhav Thackeray accused the BJP of practising what he termed fake Hindutva. He said communal polarisation before elections had become a habitual strategy. He also objected to statements suggesting Mumbai should be separated from Maharashtra, calling them dangerous and divisive.
Corruption Allegations
Uddhav Thackeray alleged that corruption worth nearly Rs.3 lakh crore took place in the civic body during the previous regime. He claimed that even cement procurement for infrastructure projects was routed through Adani-linked companies. He said Mumbai’s resources were being diverted to benefit Gujarat.
Voters’ Call
Concluding their address, the Thackeray brothers urged voters to teach the BJP a strong lesson in the January 15 polling. They said the election would determine whether Mumbai remains rooted in Maharashtra’s identity or falls under external control.
