Last election for Marathi manoos: Raj Thackeray ahead of BMC polls
As the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls approach, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has made a dramatic statement, saying that this election will be the last one for the Marathi manoos. Thackeray, who has been a vocal advocate for the rights of Marathi-speaking people in Mumbai, emphasized that the city is facing a grave danger and that it is imperative for the Marathi community to come together to protect their interests.
In a significant development, Thackeray also announced that he and his cousin, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, have decided to put aside their differences and contest the elections together. This move is seen as a strategic attempt to consolidate the Marathi vote bank and take on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the BMC polls.
Raj Thackeray’s statement has sent shockwaves throughout the political landscape of Maharashtra, with many interpreting it as a call to arms for the Marathi community. “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 words are being seen as a desperate attempt to mobilize the Marathi community and prevent the BJP from making further inroads into the city’s politics.
Meanwhile, Uddhav Thackeray has targeted the BJP, accusing the party of peddling “fake” Hindutva and nationalism. The Shiv Sena chief’s remarks are seen as an attempt to corner the BJP and prevent it from using the Hindutva plank to woo voters in the BMC polls. The BJP has been accused of using divisive politics to polarize voters and consolidate its base in Maharashtra.
The BMC polls are being seen as a crucial test for all parties involved, with the BJP, Shiv Sena, and MNS all vying for control of the country’s richest municipal corporation. The polls are also being viewed as a referendum on the performance of the BJP-led state government, which has been facing criticism for its handling of various issues, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the economy.
The coming together of Raj and Uddhav Thackeray has significant implications for the political landscape of Maharashtra. The two cousins had fallen out in the past, with Raj Thackeray breaking away from the Shiv Sena to form the MNS. However, with the BJP emerging as a dominant force in the state, the two Thackeray cousins have apparently decided to put aside their differences and join forces to take on the common enemy.
The MNS and Shiv Sena alliance is expected to have a significant impact on the BMC polls, with the two parties likely to divide the Marathi vote bank between them. The BJP, which has been trying to make inroads into the city’s politics, is likely to face a tough challenge from the Thackeray cousins.
As the BMC polls approach, the political temperature in Mumbai is likely to rise, with all parties engaging in a fierce battle for control of the municipal corporation. The polls will be a test of the strength of the various parties involved, and the outcome will have significant implications for the political landscape of Maharashtra.
In conclusion, the statement made by Raj Thackeray ahead of the BMC polls has sent a clear message to the Marathi community: this is a do-or-die battle for the control of Mumbai. The coming together of the Thackeray cousins has added a new dimension to the polls, and it remains to be seen how the BJP will respond to this challenge. One thing is certain, however: the BMC polls will be a fiercely contested battle, with all parties pulling out all the stops to emerge victorious.
News source: https://repository.inshorts.com/articles/en/PTI/d8b9be65-7833-4fcd-8217-a114db19062c