Last election for Marathi manoos: Raj Thackeray ahead of BMC polls
As the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls draw near, the city is witnessing a significant shift in the political landscape. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has made a bold statement, claiming that the upcoming election is the “last election for Marathi manoos.” Thackeray, who has been a vocal advocate for the rights of the Marathi-speaking population in Mumbai, has joined forces with his cousin Uddhav Thackeray, the chief of the Shiv Sena, to contest the elections.
According to Raj Thackeray, the decision to come together was made in response to the perceived threat to Mumbai’s identity. “Mumbai is facing danger,” he said, emphasizing the need for the Marathi-speaking community to unite and protect their interests. Thackeray’s statement has sent shockwaves throughout the city, with many interpreting it as a call to action for the Marathi manoos to rise up and assert their dominance.
The MNS chief’s words are laced with a sense of urgency, as he warned that “if a mistake is made now, the battle for Mumbai will be lost forever.” This statement suggests that Thackeray believes the upcoming election is a make-or-break moment for the Marathi-speaking community, and that the consequences of failure will be dire. The fact that he has chosen to join forces with his cousin Uddhav, despite their past differences, underscores the gravity of the situation and the need for unity in the face of adversity.
Uddhav Thackeray, on the other hand, has taken a more aggressive stance, targeting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and accusing them of peddling “fake” Hindutva and nationalism. This attack on the BJP is significant, as it suggests that the Shiv Sena and MNS are gearing up to take on the ruling party in the BMC polls. The BJP has been a dominant force in Mumbai’s politics for several years, and the Thackeray cousins’ decision to challenge them is likely to lead to a intense and competitive election campaign.
The BMC polls are scheduled to take place in the coming months, and the city is already witnessing a flurry of political activity. The election is expected to be a tightly contested affair, with several parties vying for control of the civic body. The Shiv Sena, which has traditionally been the dominant party in Mumbai, is facing a challenge from the BJP, which has been gaining ground in the city in recent years. The MNS, which has a significant presence in Mumbai, is also expected to play a crucial role in the election.
The fact that Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray have joined forces is likely to have a significant impact on the outcome of the election. The two cousins have a significant following in Mumbai, and their decision to come together is likely to sway a large section of the Marathi-speaking population. The BJP, which has been trying to woo the Marathi manoos, may find it difficult to counter the combined might of the Thackeray cousins.
As the election campaign heats up, the city is likely to witness a series of intense and often bitter battles between the various parties. The Thackeray cousins’ decision to join forces has added a new dimension to the election, and it remains to be seen how the other parties will respond. One thing is certain, however – the BMC polls are going to be a closely watched and highly contested affair, with the fate of Mumbai hanging in the balance.
In the end, the outcome of the election will depend on a variety of factors, including the ability of the parties to mobilize their supporters and the effectiveness of their campaign strategies. The Thackeray cousins’ decision to join forces has certainly added a new twist to the election, and it will be interesting to see how the other parties respond. As the city gears up for the polls, one thing is clear – the BMC election is going to be a battle for the soul of Mumbai, and the outcome will have far-reaching consequences for the city and its inhabitants.
Source: https://repository.inshorts.com/articles/en/PTI/d8b9be65-7833-4fcd-8217-a114db19062c