Last Election for Marathi Manoos: Raj Thackeray Ahead of BMC Polls
The upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls have sparked a sense of urgency and unity among the Marathi-speaking population in Mumbai, with Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray warning that this election will be the last chance for the “Marathi manoos” to reclaim their city. In a significant development, Raj Thackeray has joined forces with his cousin, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, to contest the elections, citing the “danger” faced by Mumbai as the primary reason for their alliance.
According to Raj Thackeray, the unity between the two cousins is a necessity in the face of the challenges posed to the city. “This is the last election for Marathi manoos…If a mistake is made now, the battle for Mumbai will be lost forever,” he cautioned, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. The MNS chief’s words reflect the concerns of many Marathi-speaking residents of Mumbai, who feel that their cultural identity and interests are under threat.
The alliance between Raj and Uddhav Thackeray is seen as a strategic move to counter the influence of other political parties, particularly the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has been making inroads in the state. Uddhav Thackeray, in a veiled attack on the BJP, said that the party’s “Hindutva and nationalism are fake.” This statement is likely to escalate the political rhetoric in the run-up to the BMC polls, with the Shiv Sena and MNS seeking to project themselves as the true champions of Marathi and Hindu interests.
The BMC polls are being seen as a crucial test of strength for all parties involved, with the stakes being particularly high for the Shiv Sena, which has traditionally dominated the civic body. The party’s control over the BMC has been a significant factor in its ability to exert influence over the state’s politics, and a loss in the upcoming elections could have far-reaching consequences for the Shiv Sena’s fortunes.
The MNS, on the other hand, has been seeking to revive its fortunes after a series of electoral setbacks. The party’s decision to ally with the Shiv Sena is seen as a pragmatic move, given the MNS’s limited resources and organizational capabilities. By joining forces with the Shiv Sena, Raj Thackeray hopes to leverage his cousin’s party’s strengths and increase his own party’s chances of success in the elections.
The BJP, which has been making aggressive overtures in Maharashtra, is likely to be the main target of the Shiv Sena-MNS alliance. The party’s attempts to expand its base in the state have been met with resistance from the Shiv Sena and other regional parties, which see the BJP as a threat to their own interests. The BJP’s “fake” Hindutva and nationalism, as described by Uddhav Thackeray, are likely to be a recurring theme in the election campaign, with the Shiv Sena and MNS seeking to portray themselves as the authentic champions of Hindu and Marathi interests.
As the BMC polls approach, the city is likely to witness a intense and acrimonious campaign, with all parties seeking to outdo each other in their claims to represent the interests of Mumbai’s residents. The alliance between Raj and Uddhav Thackeray has added a new dimension to the elections, with the two cousins seeking to present a united front against their common adversaries. Whether this alliance will be enough to stem the tide of the BJP’s advances in the state remains to be seen, but one thing is certain – the upcoming BMC polls will be a crucial test of strength for all parties involved, and the outcome will have significant implications for the future of Maharashtra’s politics.
In conclusion, the BMC polls are shaping up to be a high-stakes election, with the Shiv Sena and MNS seeking to reclaim their dominance over the civic body. The alliance between Raj and Uddhav Thackeray has added a new layer of complexity to the elections, with the two cousins seeking to present a united front against their common adversaries. As the campaign heats up, Mumbai’s residents can expect a intense and acrimonious debate over the city’s future, with all parties seeking to outdo each other in their claims to represent the interests of the city’s residents.
News Source: https://repository.inshorts.com/articles/en/PTI/d8b9be65-7833-4fcd-8217-a114db19062c
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