Raj Thackeray Criticizes BJP Over Mumbai's Future Amid Upcoming Elections

Raj Thackeray's Strong Remarks Against BJP

Raj Thackeray, the leader of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), has launched a fierce critique against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), alleging that individuals wishing to separate Mumbai from Maharashtra are currently in power at both the central and state levels. He cautioned that if they gain control over municipal corporations, the 'Marathi Manus' will be rendered powerless. In the first part of a joint interview with Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, published in the Shiv Sena's official publication, Thackeray emphasized that their collaboration is not for personal survival but for the existence of 'Marathi Manus' in the state.

Concerns Over Municipal Control

The interview, conducted by Sanjay Raut, a Rajya Sabha member from Shiv Sena (UBT), and renowned director Mahesh Manjrekar, comes ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections scheduled for January 15. Thackeray expressed concerns that people from outside the state are not only coming for jobs but are also establishing their own constituencies. He remarked, 'This is an old wound. Efforts to realize the dream of separating Mumbai from Maharashtra are ongoing.' He drew parallels to the atmosphere during the Samyukta Maharashtra movement when Gujarat sought to claim Mumbai.

Call for Control Over Municipalities

Thackeray accused the BJP of harboring intentions to detach Mumbai from Maharashtra, stating that if they succeed in controlling the municipal bodies, the Marathi community would be left powerless. He stressed the necessity of controlling local bodies, especially in cities like Mumbai, Pune, Thane, Nashik, Mira-Bhayandar, Kalyan-Dombivli, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, to prevent this from happening. Uddhav Thackeray criticized the state government, claiming that while the BJP pretends to promote development, it leads to destruction instead. He described it as 'development without a plan,' asserting that the government itself is unclear about its objectives and lamenting that those in power, despite being from Maharashtra, have no connection with the people of Mumbai.