Last election for Marathi manoos: Raj Thackeray ahead of BMC polls
The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief, Raj Thackeray, has made a startling statement ahead of the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls. In a recent address, Thackeray emphasized that the forthcoming election is the “last” one for the Marathi people, warning that if they fail to make the right choice, they will lose the battle for Mumbai forever. This statement has sent shockwaves throughout the state’s political landscape, particularly in the context of the MNS’s alliance with the Shiv Sena, led by Thackeray’s cousin, Uddhav Thackeray.
Raj Thackeray’s statement can be seen as a desperate attempt to rally the Marathi-speaking population behind his party, which has been struggling to regain its lost ground in the state’s politics. The MNS, which was once a significant player in Maharashtra’s electoral landscape, has been facing a decline in its fortunes over the past few years. The party’s alliance with the Shiv Sena, which was once its sworn enemy, is being seen as a last-ditch effort to stay relevant in the state’s politics.
The MNS chief’s statement has also sparked a debate about the future of the Marathi-speaking population in Mumbai. The city, which was once a stronghold of the Marathi-speaking community, has undergone significant demographic changes over the years, with people from other parts of the country migrating to the city in search of employment and better living standards. This has led to a decline in the proportion of Marathi-speaking people in the city, which has, in turn, led to a sense of insecurity among the community.
Raj Thackeray’s statement has also been seen as an attempt to polarize the electorate along linguistic lines. The MNS chief has long been known for his strident pro-Marathi stance, and his statement is being seen as an attempt to whip up passions among the Marathi-speaking population. However, this strategy is fraught with risks, as it could lead to a backlash from other communities, which could ultimately harm the MNS’s electoral prospects.
Meanwhile, Uddhav Thackeray, the Shiv Sena chief, has targeted the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing it of faking its commitment to Hindutva and nationalism. This statement is being seen as an attempt to undermine the BJP’s credibility among its core supporters, who are largely driven by a strong sense of nationalism and Hindutva. The Shiv Sena, which was once an ally of the BJP, has been at loggerheads with the party since it parted ways with it in 2019.
The BJP, which has been making significant inroads in Maharashtra over the past few years, is seen as a major threat to the Shiv Sena’s and MNS’s electoral prospects. The party’s aggressive campaign, which is focused on issues such as development, infrastructure, and governance, has resonated with a large section of the electorate, particularly the youth. The BJP’s popularity has also been fueled by its strong leadership, which is seen as decisive and effective.
In this context, the alliance between the Shiv Sena and the MNS is being seen as a desperate attempt to counter the BJP’s growing influence in the state. The two parties, which have a significant following among the Marathi-speaking population, are hoping to cash in on their combined strength to take on the BJP. However, the alliance is fraught with risks, as it could lead to a division of votes among the Marathi-speaking population, ultimately benefiting the BJP.
As the BMC polls approach, the political landscape in Maharashtra is becoming increasingly complex. The alliance between the Shiv Sena and the MNS has added a new dimension to the electoral battle, which is likely to be intense and closely contested. The BJP, which is confident of its prospects, is leaving no stone unturned to woo the electorate, while the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) are also trying to regain their lost ground.
In conclusion, the forthcoming BMC polls are likely to be a watershed moment in Maharashtra’s politics. The statement by Raj Thackeray, emphasizing the need for the Marathi-speaking population to come together, has added a new dimension to the electoral battle. The alliance between the Shiv Sena and the MNS is being seen as a desperate attempt to counter the BJP’s growing influence in the state. As the polls approach, the political landscape in Maharashtra is becoming increasingly complex, with each party trying to outmaneuver its opponents to gain an upper hand.
News Source: https://repository.inshorts.com/articles/en/PTI/d8b9be65-7833-4fcd-8217-a114db19062c
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