Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray Unite Against BJP's Hindutva Ahead of Municipal Elections

Thackeray Cousins Rally Together

Uddhav Thackeray, the leader of Shiv Sena (UBT), along with his cousin Raj Thackeray, who heads the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), criticized the BJP's so-called Hindutva during a joint rally on Sunday. They emphasized their political alliance in light of the threats looming over Mumbai as the municipal elections approach.

In this final rally before the elections scheduled for January 15, Uddhav Thackeray stated that both he and Raj have set aside their differences for the sake of Marathi people, Hindus, and Maharashtra. They positioned themselves as the only viable option to safeguard Mumbai.

Focusing on the Marathi voter base, Raj Thackeray remarked that their collaboration stems from the serious dangers facing Mumbai. Both leaders accused the BJP of attempting to exploit Mumbai and connect it to Gujarat. They also claimed that the assets of Mumbai and Maharashtra are being handed over to the group led by Gautam Adani.

Raj alleged that since the BJP came to power in 2014, the government has consistently favored Adani. He referenced projects like the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train, asserting that the long-term plan is to link Mumbai with Gujarat. He warned that if the BMC remains under their control, Adani would not be able to acquire land.

He stated, 'This is the last election for the Marathi people. If they make a mistake now, they will lose the battle for Mumbai forever.' Following Raj's speech, Uddhav Thackeray raised concerns about whether the BJP intends to rename Mumbai to 'Bombay,' citing comments made by Tamil Nadu BJP leader K. Annamalai.

Accusing the BJP of engaging in divisive politics ahead of the elections, Uddhav declared, 'The BJP's Hindutva and nationalism are fake.' He added, 'The BJP has become a party that prioritizes corruption over the nation.'