In a historic and emotionally charged display of unity, the Thackeray brothers shared a public stage in Mumbai for the first time in two decades, issuing a clarion call to the Marathi-speaking community. Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray addressed a massive rally at Shivaji Park on Sunday, framing the upcoming Mumbai elections as a final battle to safeguard the city's identity and land.
A Historic Alliance for Mumbai's Future
The rally at Shivaji Park, a site deeply symbolic for the Shiv Sena, marked the second joint public appearance of the cousins after a similar event in Nashik last week. Raj Thackeray set the tone with a stark warning, declaring this election the last chance for the Marathi manoos (common man). "This is the last election for Marathi citizens. If you fail today, it will be a mistake for eternity," he asserted. He appealed for unity across party lines, urging Marathi voters not to fall into the trap of internal division, which he claimed was the desire of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Raj Thackeray framed the contest as a struggle to keep Mumbai and Maharashtra in the hands of Marathis, alleging a plan to hand it over to Gujarat. He presented a detailed account of the Adani Group's expansion in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) since 2014 across sectors like power, cement, ports, and airports. "The plan was always to snatch Mumbai from Maharashtra and attach it with Gujarat," he claimed, arguing that the strategy involved using money to buy land, settle people, and elect favourable representatives.
Emotional Appeals and Political Accusations
Uddhav Thackeray, in an emotional speech, explained the brothers' reconciliation as a necessary step for Maharashtra's protection. "We have come together and buried our differences to ensure the protection of Maharashtra," he stated. He accused the ruling Mahayuti alliance of wanting to win Mumbai only to hand it over to industrialist Gautam Adani. Standing before the crowd, Uddhav made a rare gesture, appealing with folded hands to the saffron-clad Shiv Sainiks. "I am telling you to not be a bystander," he urged, pledging to not let Mumbai break or bow down.
Shifting focus to the BJP's campaign tactics, Uddhav directly challenged Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. He dared him to discuss Mumbai's real issues instead of communal politics, offering Rs one lakh if Fadnavis could show a single election where he did not raise Hindu-Muslim issues. Uddhav also targeted the BJP's integrity, alleging, "The BJP which once said nation first, now says corruption first. They want rapists in their party and people accused of links to the underworld."
Brotherhood, Legacy, and Electoral Strategy
Raj Thackeray, reflecting on the significance of the venue where his uncle Bal Thackeray founded the Shiv Sena, said their grandfather Prabodhankar Thackeray and Bal Thackeray would have cherished the moment of their unity. He acknowledged that his decision to ally with Uddhav after 20 years may have hurt some supporters and offered an apology, hoping for their return.
The rally also featured speeches from other Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leaders. Worli MLA Aaditya Thackeray listed developmental projects initiated by the Thackeray-led BMC and state government, reiterating his challenge to find Fadnavis in inauguration photos of the coastal road for a reward of Rs 3000. NCP(SP) leader Jayant Patil added weight to the alliance's claim, stating that the next mayor of Mumbai would be decided by the Thackeray brothers.
Raj Thackeray concluded with a warning about identity politics, referencing recent controversies involving Jain and Tamil communities. He urged voters not to be distracted by such divisive strategies, emphasizing that "Land and language is your identity. Once it is gone, your identity is over." The unified message from the Thackeray camp is clear: the Mumbai elections are a existential fight for control, culture, and community.
