Addressing a joint rally ahead of the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls, Thackeray asserted that those who question the existence of the Thackeray family “have not been born yet.”
“Those who can determine the existence of the Thackerays haven’t been born yet… Devendra Fadnavis says, ‘Show me Uddhav Thackeray’s speech on development, and I will give you Rs 3000.’ I don’t want his stolen money. Show me a speech from PM Modi where you haven’t indulged in Hindu-Muslim politics, and I will give you Rs 1000… All this Adani-isation is going on… Isn’t this their ploy to turn Mumbai back into Bombay?… Ask the people what the Shiv Sena did in 25 years and how they have ruined Mumbai in 3 years… Mumbai was acquired with bloodshed. It is our duty to fight alongside soldiers like you to push back this attack… Balasaheb Thackeray taught us that if someone lays a hand on you, tear off their hand. Bury the curse of division today,” said Uddhav Thackeray.Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray also slammed the Mahayuti alliance, declaring that no development has taken place in Mumbai over the last 25 years.
“They say nothing was done in 25 years. Even if you wake me up from my sleep, I can tell you what we have done in 25 years. Without imposing any taxes, we collected a deposit of Rs 92,000 crore. This deposit is kept for the service of Mumbai. They say, ‘Show us the work and take Rs 3000’. Instead of giving us Rs 3000, you should first give Rs 2100 that you promised to women…” said Aaditya Thackeray.Following the rally, MNS leader Abhijeet Panse claimed widespread participation from the public and declared that whoever stands with the Marathi people will stand with the Thackeray brothers.
“We feel like it’s a celebration for the Marathi people, for whom the Thackerays have always stood… I don’t think such a massive crowd has ever gathered at Shivaji Park in the last twenty years… I understand that this is a gathering of Marathi people from all of Maharashtra, the entire country, and the whole world. And whoever stands with the Marathi people will stand with the Thackeray brothers,” Panse told ANI.Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant said, “This is a historic moment; two brothers are coming together… This will be a total game changer…”
Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey expressed confidence that the party will have a “very big” victory in the BMC elections.”… We are fully confident that we will have a very big victory in the elections for BMC along with 28 municipal corporations. Mumbai and Shiv Sena are complementary to each other… BJP is scared. We will defeat them in the 2029 assembly and Lok Sabha elections as well…,” Dubey said.
NCP (SP) leader Jayant Patil said, “This could be a real game-changer, and I think it will definitely have an impact on Mumbai voters.”Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Varun Sardesai said, “It is a very big day for all the Marathi people across the world as Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray are coming together. We are curious to know what they will talk about.”
UBT leader Vinayak Raut said, “Today is a day of pride not just for Mumbai, not just for Maharashtra, but for the entire country. Today, under the guidance of Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray, the workers of both parties will gather in lakhs at Shivtirth and show that no matter who comes, we are with Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray.”
The State Election Commission in Maharashtra has announced elections to 29 municipal corporations across the state, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC). Polling will be held on January 15, with counting scheduled for January 16.