Last election for Marathi manoos: Raj Thackeray ahead of BMC polls
As the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls approach, the political landscape of Mumbai is witnessing a significant shift. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has made a bold statement, emphasizing that the upcoming election is the last chance for the Marathi manoos (Marathi people) to reclaim their city. 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 alliance between the MNS and the Shiv Sena is a strategic move to counter the perceived threat to Mumbai’s cultural and linguistic identity. “Mumbai is facing danger, and that’s why we have come together to contest the elections,” he said. Thackeray’s statement is a clear indication that he believes the upcoming election is a make-or-break moment for the Marathi manoos. “This is the last election for Marathi manoos…If a mistake is made now, the battle for Mumbai will be lost forever,” he added, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
The MNS chief’s comments are likely to resonate with the Marathi-speaking population in Mumbai, who have long felt that their cultural and linguistic identity is under threat from the increasing influx of migrants from other parts of the country. Thackeray’s party has traditionally been associated with the sons-of-the-soil ideology, which advocates for the rights and interests of the native Marathi-speaking population.
Meanwhile, Uddhav Thackeray, who is also the former Chief Minister of Maharashtra, has targeted the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing it of peddling “fake” Hindutva and nationalism. The Shiv Sena chief’s comments are likely to be seen as a response to the BJP’s attempts to woo the Hindu vote bank in Mumbai. The BJP has been trying to project itself as a champion of Hindu rights and interests, but Uddhav Thackeray’s statement suggests that the Shiv Sena is not convinced by the BJP’s claims.
The alliance between the MNS and the Shiv Sena is significant, as it brings together two parties that have traditionally been associated with the Marathi manoos. The Shiv Sena, which was founded by Bal Thackeray, Raj’s uncle, has a long history of advocating for the rights of the Marathi-speaking population in Mumbai. The MNS, which was founded by Raj Thackeray after he broke away from the Shiv Sena, has also been associated with the sons-of-the-soil ideology.
The BMC polls are likely to be a closely contested affair, with the BJP, the Congress, and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) also in the fray. The election is seen as a test of strength for the various political parties in Mumbai, and the outcome is likely to have significant implications for the city’s politics.
As the campaign for the BMC polls heats up, the statements made by Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray are likely to dominate the headlines. The MNS chief’s emphasis on the importance of the election for the Marathi manoos is likely to resonate with his core constituency, while Uddhav Thackeray’s attack on the BJP is likely to be seen as an attempt to woo the Hindu vote bank.
In conclusion, the upcoming BMC polls are likely to be a significant event in the political calendar of Mumbai. The alliance between the MNS and the Shiv Sena, and the statements made by Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray, are likely to dominate the headlines in the run-up to the election. As the city prepares to go to the polls, one thing is clear: the outcome of the election will have significant implications for the future of Mumbai and its people.
News Source: https://repository.inshorts.com/articles/en/PTI/d8b9be65-7833-4fcd-8217-a114db19062c
About the Author
