Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Jan 17: Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday rejected the idea that his party had suffered a true defeat in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, asserting that while the BJP may have secured more seats, its victory came through the misuse of power and lacked moral legitimacy.
Addressing his first press conference after the BMC results—where the Shiv Sena (UBT) won 65 seats—Thackeray launched a scathing attack on the BJP, accusing it of trying to dismantle his party using official machinery but failing to wipe out its support among the people.
“I don’t believe we have been defeated. Our loss carries dignity and strength, while their victory is stained,” Thackeray said, describing the BJP as an “anaconda” that uses allies for convenience and eventually discards them. He warned that the party’s current partners would meet the same fate.
Thackeray argued that although the BJP may claim victory on paper, the results show it has been unable to eliminate the Shiv Sena’s grassroots presence. He alleged that the BJP’s dependence on political engineering, rule changes, and state power reflects its lack of genuine public connect.
“If they truly had strength on the ground, they wouldn’t need to break parties or misuse government institutions,” he said, adding that the BJP’s dominance exists more in official records than in people’s hearts.
Acknowledging the limitations of his campaign, Thackeray said he was only able to visit Mumbai, Thane, and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar during the elections and apologised to party workers and voters in constituencies he could not reach personally.
He thanked supporters across Maharashtra—from “Chanda to Banda”—for backing the Shiv Sena–MNS–NCP alliance, while sharply criticising the conduct of the ruling parties during the campaign.
“The elections were fought in an ugly and desperate manner. Every seat was treated as a do-or-die battle, crossing all ethical limits. Those who resisted money, threats, and pressure and still voted are the real defenders of democracy,” he said.
Questioning the credibility of the results, Thackeray pointed to what he called a disconnect between public response at rallies and the final vote count.
“When Modi campaigned during the Assembly elections and now when Fadnavis campaigned, chairs were empty. Our rallies with Raj and me were overflowing. How empty chairs turned into votes is a mystery I still can’t solve,” he remarked.
He also alleged that the BJP’s success was driven by the misuse of development funds, claiming money was distributed in the form of household goods, sarees, and cash. “Where did all this money come from?” he asked.
Praising his party workers, Thackeray said Shiv Sena (UBT) candidates performed strongly despite facing what he described as a “flood of money” from the opposition.
“Our ordinary Shiv Sainiks have shown that loyalty and commitment can stand up to enormous financial power,” he said.
While expressing gratitude to the people of Mumbai, Thackeray admitted he had hoped for a stronger mandate, especially in light of the party’s 25 years of governance in the city and its handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, which he said earned international recognition.
“We placed our work before the people. Given our efforts during the pandemic, we expected greater blessings from Mumbaikars. Even if the outcome isn’t what we hoped for, the support we received is still meaningful,” he said.
Thackeray concluded by reiterating that he does not view the outcome as a defeat, but as proof that his party’s core strength and public support remain intact.