Last election for Marathi manoos: Raj Thackeray ahead of BMC polls
The upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls have sparked a flurry of activity in the political landscape of Maharashtra, with various parties and alliances jostling for power. In a significant development, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has joined forces with his cousin, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray, to contest the elections. This unexpected alliance has sent shockwaves throughout the state, with many interpreting it as a desperate attempt to counter the growing influence of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the city.
According to Raj Thackeray, the decision to join forces with his cousin was prompted by the perceived danger facing Mumbai. “This is the last election for Marathi manoos,” he warned, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. “If a mistake is made now, the battle for Mumbai will be lost forever.” Thackeray’s remarks suggest that he views the BMC polls as a make-or-break moment for the Marathi-speaking community, which has long been the dominant force in the city’s politics.
Thackeray’s cousin, Uddhav, was equally scathing in his criticism of the BJP, which has been making significant inroads in the state in recent years. “Their Hindutva and nationalism are fake,” Uddhav alleged, accusing the BJP of using these ideologies as a mere smokescreen to further its own interests. This rhetoric is likely to resonate with many in the Marathi-speaking community, who have traditionally been skeptical of the BJP’s commitment to their causes.
The MNS-Shiv Sena (UBT) alliance is seen as a last-ditch attempt to counter the BJP’s growing influence in the city. The BJP has been making steady gains in Mumbai, and its candidate, Devendra Fadnavis, is widely seen as a front-runner to become the next chief minister of Maharashtra. The MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT), on the other hand, have been struggling to maintain their relevance in the face of the BJP’s relentless onslaught.
Raj Thackeray’s decision to join forces with his cousin is also seen as a personal gamble, given the long history of animosity between the two leaders. The MNS and Shiv Sena have been bitter rivals for years, with Thackeray frequently clashing with his cousin over issues such as the use of the Shiv Sena’s name and symbol. However, with the BJP looming large on the horizon, it appears that Thackeray has decided to put aside his differences with Uddhav in the interests of the larger Marathi-speaking community.
The implications of this alliance are far-reaching, and are likely to have significant consequences for the future of Maharashtra politics. If the MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT) are able to put up a united front, they may be able to counter the BJP’s influence in the city and prevent it from making further gains. On the other hand, if the alliance fails to deliver, it could spell disaster for both parties, and pave the way for the BJP to consolidate its position in the state.
As the BMC polls approach, the stakes are higher than ever before. The election is being seen as a referendum on the future of Mumbai, and the Marathi-speaking community is eager to assert its dominance in the city’s politics. With the MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT) joining forces, the stage is set for a thrilling contest that will determine the course of Maharashtra’s politics for years to come.
In conclusion, the MNS-Shiv Sena (UBT) alliance is a significant development in the run-up to the BMC polls, and has the potential to reshape the political landscape of Maharashtra. With Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray joining forces, the Marathi-speaking community is poised to make a last-ditch attempt to counter the BJP’s influence in the city. As the election approaches, one thing is certain – the future of Mumbai hangs in the balance, and the outcome of the BMC polls will have far-reaching consequences for the state and its people.
News Source: https://repository.inshorts.com/articles/en/PTI/d8b9be65-7833-4fcd-8217-a114db19062c
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