Raj Thackeray Warns "Last Crucial Election" for Marathi People in Mumbai Civic Polls

During the inauguration ceremony of MNS' Konkan Mahotsav, party leader Raj Thackeray called upon workers and voters to remain "vigilant" as the Mumbai civic body elections approach.

Thackeray, whose political organization has frequently faced accusations of targeting non-Marathi speakers, expressed concerns about the increasingly tense political climate surrounding the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections and emphasized the need for caution.

"For the Marathi people, this BMC election will be the last crucial election," he declared. "If we remain careless, consider it gone from our hands." He further warned that "if Mumbai slips out of our hands, these people will create havoc."

The MNS chief also highlighted alleged voter list irregularities. "It is important for you to pay attention to whether the voters are genuine or bogus," he stated, continuing his pointed criticism of the Election Commission's management of voter rolls.

The 57-year-old leader's renewed assertiveness emerges several months after extending unconditional support to the Mahayuti alliance during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Following the MNS's disappointing performance in subsequent state elections, his political rhetoric and positioning have notably shifted.

As the MNS and UBT strongly emphasize their Marathi identity platform, the BJP has developed a clear counternarrative: a more prominent and direct Hindutva message. The party, often criticized for primarily representing non-Marathi communities in Mumbai, now positions "Hindu identity" above linguistic identity in its campaign strategy.

Under Mumbai MLA Ameet Satam's leadership, the BJP's city unit has intensified its rhetoric. This was evident in a recent statement by minister Ashish Shelar, who declared, "Mumbai's mayor will be a Hindu," when questioned whether the mayor would be Marathi if BJP secured electoral victory.

Among these evolving narratives, the increasing proximity between Raj Thackeray and his cousin, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, has become a significant focus in state politics. Once political adversaries, the two now appear more aligned, both at family gatherings and on political fronts.

However, the initiative for a unified Marathi front has faced challenges within the Opposition. The Congress has shown reluctance to welcome the MNS into the Maha Vikas Aghadi. Mumbai Congress leader Varsha Gaikwad has clarified the party's position: Congress will only ally with groups adhering to constitutional principles, a clear reference to the MNS's 'unconstitutional' approaches in language disputes.

Conversely, the NCP (Sharad Pawar) has demonstrated greater receptiveness to collaboration, recognizing potential political advantages in mobilizing Marathi voters throughout Mumbai and neighboring regions.