Uddhav Thackeray Slams BJP's 'Betrayal' in Mumbai Civic Polls, Vows to Fight for Legacy
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has delivered his first public reaction after the Mumbai civic election results. He sharply criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party for what he called a victory achieved through betrayal. Thackeray made these remarks in a strongly worded statement that has captured political attention across Maharashtra.
A Battle Beyond Civic Politics
Thackeray framed the recently concluded Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections as something much larger than ordinary municipal politics. He described the contest as a fight to preserve the legacy of his father, the late Balasaheb Thackeray. The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader emphasized that this was a struggle to uphold Marathi pride and identity in India's financial capital.
"Loyalty cannot be purchased with money or power," Thackeray declared, taking an indirect swipe at political defections that have reshaped Maharashtra's landscape. He pointedly accused the BJP of employing underhanded tactics to secure their win in the crucial civic body polls.
Thanking Supporters Amid Allegations of Coercion
The former Maharashtra chief minister expressed gratitude to voters who supported his party despite what he described as a challenging environment. Thackeray claimed that many candidates faced threats and coercion during the election process. He condemned these alleged practices while maintaining that the final results still demonstrated the enduring strength of Shiv Sena (UBT).
"Our fight continues," Thackeray asserted, signaling that his faction would not accept the outcome quietly. He positioned the electoral setback as merely one chapter in a longer political struggle for the soul of the Shiv Sena and its foundational principles.
Historic Shift in Mumbai's Political Landscape
The election results mark a significant turning point for Mumbai's governance. For nearly three decades, the Thackeray family had maintained control over the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, which is widely considered India's richest civic body. This longstanding dominance has now been broken by the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance.
The final seat tally reveals a complex political picture:
- Shiv Sena (UBT) secured 65 seats
- The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena won 6 seats
- The Bharatiya Janata Party captured 89 seats
- Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena faction took 29 seats
This distribution sets the stage for renewed political confrontation in Mumbai and across Maharashtra's Marathi heartland. The results essentially create a new Sena-versus-Sena dynamic, with Uddhav Thackeray's faction and Eknath Shinde's group both claiming the Shiv Sena legacy while the BJP emerges as the dominant force in the alliance.
Political observers note that Thackeray's combative response indicates his faction will continue challenging the current power structure. The loss of BMC control represents both a symbolic and practical blow to the Thackeray family's political influence, making their reaction particularly significant for Maharashtra's future political trajectory.
