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 prepares to go to the polls, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has sounded the alarm, stating that this election will be the last chance for the Marathi manoos (common man) 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, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, to contest the elections.
According to Raj Thackeray, the alliance between the MNS and Shiv Sena is a necessary response to the perceived threat to Mumbai’s identity and culture. “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 the MNS and Shiv Sena are willing to put aside their past differences and work together to protect the interests of the Marathi manoos.
Thackeray’s warning that this is the “last election for Marathi manoos” is a stark reminder of the demographic changes that have been taking place in Mumbai over the years. The city, which was once a predominantly Marathi-speaking metropolis, has undergone significant transformations due to migration and urbanization. As a result, the Marathi-speaking population has been gradually marginalized, leading to a sense of disillusionment and disaffection among the community.
The MNS chief’s statement has sparked a heated debate about the future of Mumbai and the role of the Marathi manoos in the city’s politics. While some have welcomed the alliance between the MNS and Shiv Sena as a necessary step to protect the interests of the Marathi-speaking population, others have criticized it as a desperate attempt to cling to power.
Meanwhile, Uddhav Thackeray has targeted the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing it of peddling “fake” Hindutva and nationalism. The Shiv Sena chief’s statement is a clear indication that the party is seeking to differentiate itself from the BJP, which has been a long-time ally of the Shiv Sena. The BJP, which has been trying to expand its base in Maharashtra, has been accused of using Hindutva and nationalism as a tool to further its political interests.
The BMC polls, which are scheduled to take place in the coming months, are expected to be a closely contested affair. The polls will see a triangular contest between the MNS-Shiv Sena alliance, the BJP, and the Congress-Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) alliance. The outcome of the polls will have significant implications for the future of Mumbai and the state of Maharashtra as a whole.
As the campaign for the BMC polls heats up, the people of Mumbai are being presented with a stark choice. On the one hand, they have the MNS-Shiv Sena alliance, which is promising to protect the interests of the Marathi manoos and preserve the city’s cultural identity. On the other hand, they have the BJP, which is seeking to expand its base in the state by peddling its brand of Hindutva and nationalism.
Ultimately, the outcome of the BMC polls will depend on the ability of the various parties to connect with the voters and address their concerns. As Raj Thackeray has warned, this is the “last election for Marathi manoos,” and the stakes are high. If the MNS-Shiv Sena alliance is able to mobilize the Marathi-speaking population and secure their support, it could potentially change the course of the election. However, if the BJP is able to successfully peddle its brand of Hindutva and nationalism, it could pose a significant challenge to the MNS-Shiv Sena alliance.
As the people of Mumbai prepare to go to the polls, they must consider the implications of their vote. Will they choose to support the MNS-Shiv Sena alliance, which is promising to protect the interests of the Marathi manoos? Or will they opt for the BJP, which is seeking to expand its base in the state by peddling its brand of Hindutva and nationalism? The choice is theirs, and the future of Mumbai hangs in the balance.
News Source: https://repository.inshorts.com/articles/en/PTI/d8b9be65-7833-4fcd-8217-a114db19062c
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