Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Oct 2: Amid pouring rain and charged emotions at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray delivered a fiery Dussehra address, hinting at a possible alliance with the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) for the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. Without naming Raj Thackeray directly, Uddhav referred to a shared commitment to protect Marathi pride and prevent vote division among Marathi-speaking voters, which he said would only benefit the BJP.

“We came together for Marathi and Maharashtra, and we will stay together,” Thackeray declared to a drenched but unwavering crowd of Shiv Sainiks, reiterating his stance from a July rally where the parties jointly opposed the state government's earlier push to introduce Hindi from grade one.

The rally, steeped in symbolism and held at Shivtirth — the spiritual ground of the Sena — was marked by defiance against both the BJP-led central government and the Eknath Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena. Despite speculation, Raj Thackeray did not appear on stage, but Uddhav’s message made clear that a united front for Marathi causes is in motion.

Framing the event in the spirit of Dussehra — the victory of good over evil — Thackeray criticised the BJP for what he called cultural and economic neglect of Maharashtra, accusing it of prioritising states like Bihar for electoral gains. “When Maharashtra suffers from floods, you’re handing out Rs 10,000 to women in Bihar. What about us? Is this your idea of governance?” he questioned, demanding ?50,000 per hectare in relief for flood-hit farmers in Marathwada.

He warned of upcoming protests if the state government failed to support distressed farmers, accusing it of sitting idle while spending on self-promotion through advertisements. “They have no vision, no action, just branding,” he said.

Sharpening his attack on the BJP’s brand of Hindutva, Thackeray invoked his father Balasaheb Thackeray’s legacy. “Our Hindutva is about Maharashtra’s sons, not about clanging utensils or slogans,” he said, in a jab at the BJP’s political theatrics. He defended his party's version of Hindutva as rooted in regional pride and social justice rather than religious tokenism.

Taking aim at Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, whom he labelled a “gaddar” (traitor), Uddhav accused the breakaway faction of hijacking the Sena’s symbol but not its soul. “The real Shiv Sena’s heartbeat is here. Symbols can be stolen, hearts cannot,” he declared.

On national issues, Thackeray condemned what he called the growing trend of branding dissenters as anti-nationals. Referring to Ladakhi activist Sonam Wangchuk being vilified for attending a conference in Pakistan, he questioned why Prime Minister Modi’s own surprise visit to Pakistan in 2015 was not similarly condemned. He also criticised the hype around cricket diplomacy with Pakistan while security concerns remain unresolved.

The address was not just a political speech, but a rallying cry — one that combined regional pride, electoral strategy, and ideological defiance. As BMC elections loom, Thackeray's words have set the tone for a fierce political battle, possibly with a reconfigured Marathi alliance taking on the might of the BJP and its allies.