Last election for Marathi manoos: Raj Thackeray ahead of BMC polls
The upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls have set the stage for a high-stakes battle in the country’s financial capital, Mumbai. As the city gears up to elect its new civic body, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief, Raj Thackeray, has sounded the alarm, stating that this election is the “last” one for the Marathi manoos (Marathi people). In a significant development, Thackeray has joined forces with his cousin, Uddhav Thackeray, the chief of the Shiv Sena, to contest the elections together.
Raj Thackeray’s statement has sent shockwaves across the political landscape of Maharashtra, as he emphasized that the very existence of the Marathi community is under threat. “This is the last election for Marathi manoos…If a mistake is made now, the battle for Mumbai will be lost forever,” he warned. The MNS chief’s remarks are being seen as a desperate attempt to rally the Marathi community behind his party, as he seeks to reclaim the lost ground in the city’s politics.
The Thackeray cousins, who have been at loggerheads for years, have put aside their differences to take on the common enemy – the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Uddhav Thackeray, who recently lost power in the state after his party’s alliance with the BJP fell apart, has been vocal in his criticism of the saffron party. He has accused the BJP of peddling “fake” Hindutva and nationalism, suggesting that their ideology is nothing more than a façade.
The Shiv Sena chief’s attack on the BJP is not surprising, given the acrimonious relationship between the two parties. The BJP and Shiv Sena had been allies for over two decades, but their partnership ended abruptly after the 2019 assembly elections, when the Shiv Sena refused to back the BJP’s claim to form the government. Since then, the two parties have been at odds, with the Shiv Sena joining hands with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Congress to form a coalition government in the state.
As the BMC polls approach, the BJP is facing a tough challenge from the Thackeray cousins, who are determined to stop the party’s march in the city. The BJP has been making inroads in Mumbai, and its victory in the 2017 BMC polls had marked a significant milestone in the party’s expansion in the state. However, with the Thackeray cousins joining forces, the BJP’s chances of repeating its performance may be under threat.
The BMC polls are being seen as a litmus test for the parties ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The outcome of the polls will have significant implications for the state’s politics, as it will determine the trajectory of the parties in the run-up to the general elections. The Thackeray cousins’ alliance has added a new dimension to the polls, and it remains to be seen how the voters will respond to their appeal.
As the campaign heats up, the city is witnessing a high-decibel debate on the issues that matter most to the citizens. The BJP is highlighting its development agenda, while the Thackeray cousins are focusing on the emotive issue of Marathi pride. The Shiv Sena and MNS are also trying to corner the BJP on its “fake” Hindutva and nationalism, accusing the party of using these issues to polarize the voters.
In the midst of this intense political battle, the citizens of Mumbai are waiting with bated breath to see how the polls will unfold. The BMC elections have always been a closely contested affair, and this time is no exception. As the parties slug it out, the voters will have to decide which way they want to go – with the Thackeray cousins, who are fighting to reclaim the city’s Marathi identity, or with the BJP, which is seeking to expand its footprint in the city.
As the city gears up to elect its new civic body, one thing is clear – the BMC polls will be a defining moment in the history of Mumbai’s politics. The outcome of the polls will have far-reaching implications, not just for the city, but for the state and the country as a whole. Will the Thackeray cousins be able to stop the BJP’s march in the city, or will the saffron party emerge victorious once again? Only time will tell.
News Source: https://repository.inshorts.com/articles/en/PTI/d8b9be65-7833-4fcd-8217-a114db19062c
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