Uddhav and Raj Thackeray unite against BJP’s “Fake Hindutva,” pitch alliance as Mumbai’s last shield

Mumbai – Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and MNS president Raj Thackeray shared a stage on Sunday and launched a joint attack on the BJP. They accused the party of pushing “fake Hindutva.” They said an urgent threat to Mumbai forced their reunion ahead of the January 15 civic polls.

First, Uddhav framed the rally as a fight for survival. He said the cousins buried past differences for the Marathi manoos, Hindus, and Maharashtra. He called the election decisive after their losses in the 2024 Assembly polls. He urged voters to rally behind them to protect Mumbai.

Next, Raj sharpened the message. He said love for Marathi culture must flow in the blood. He said Mumbai faces a serious danger. He positioned the alliance as the only alternative to save the city. He appealed directly to the core Marathi vote.

Then, both leaders targeted the BJP’s governance record. They accused the party of “looting” Mumbai. They alleged attempts to link Mumbai with Gujarat. They claimed state assets move toward corporate control. They repeatedly named the Gautam Adani-led group.

Raj expanded the charge. He said governments since 2014 favored Adani. He cited the proposed Vadhavan port near Gujarat. He linked it to control over Palghar, Thane, and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. He called it a long-term plan to dominate Mumbai. He referenced the Mumbai–Ahmedabad bullet train as another signal.

After that, Raj raised the civic poll stakes. He said control of the BMC blocks land deals. He urged voters to back the coalition. He warned this election could decide Mumbai’s future. He said one mistake now could cost the city forever.

Meanwhile, Uddhav trained fire on the BJP’s narrative. He questioned remarks about Mumbai’s identity. He cited comments by Tamil Nadu BJP leader K Annamalai. He said the remarks exposed a hidden agenda. He accused the BJP of divisive politics.

Uddhav also attacked the BJP’s brand of nationalism. He called its Hindutva “fake.” He asked the party to name one election without Hindu-Muslim politics. He criticized the India–Pakistan cricket match held last year during a global event. He called the optics “shameless.”

Further, Uddhav alleged corruption during past civic tenures. He cited a figure of ₹3 lakh crore in the BMC during a Sena–BJP phase. He alleged irregularities in infrastructure works. He claimed heavy procurement from Adani-linked suppliers.

Raj added charges on candidate selection. He alleged the BJP gave a ticket in Tuljapur to a person accused of drug peddling. He also addressed language policy. He opposed the three-language formula. He rejected mandatory Hindi for Classes 1 to 5. He said the move tested Marathi consciousness. He said he opposed imposition, not languages.

Finally, the rally closed with mobilization. Raj asked workers to stay vigilant on voting processes. Leaders pressed supporters to guard Mumbai’s interests at the ballot.

In sum, the cousins turned rivals into partners. They framed the civic polls as a referendum on Mumbai’s identity. They cast the BJP as a threat. They pitched unity as the city’s shield.