Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis launched a sharp attack on Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray and MNS chief Raj Thackeray on Monday. He declared that the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections represent a fight for the cousins' political survival. Fadnavis made these remarks during a rally at Shivaji Park in Mumbai.
Battle for Survival, Not Marathi Interests
Fadnavis directly responded to Raj Thackeray's recent statement about the civic election being crucial for Marathi people. The Chief Minister countered this claim forcefully. He asserted that the election does not pose any threat to Mumbai or Marathi speakers. Instead, Fadnavis emphasized that the real stakes involve the survival of the Thackeray cousins themselves.
"Your own survival is at stake," Fadnavis told the gathering, referring specifically to Uddhav and Raj Thackeray. He stressed that the January 15 polls center on their political futures. The BJP leader made these comments while campaigning for the Mahayuti alliance of BJP and Shiv Sena.
Highlighting Past Rivalries
During his speech, Fadnavis displayed old video clips showing Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray attacking each other in previous years. This visual presentation aimed to underscore their long-standing rivalry. The two leaders have now joined forces for the BMC elections after nearly two decades of political opposition.
Fadnavis reminded the audience about this historical context. He pointed out their past conflicts to question the current alliance's sincerity. The Chief Minister used this strategy to strengthen his argument about the election being personally motivated for the Thackerays.
Focus on Development and Governance
Shifting to development issues, Fadnavis outlined his vision for Mumbai's future. He vowed to transform the city through transparent civic governance. The Chief Minister expressed his determination to install a Mahayuti mayor in Mumbai after the elections.
Fadnavis also addressed specific policy matters during his rally speech. He criticized the previous MVA government led by Uddhav Thackeray for making Hindi compulsory in schools under the New Education Policy. The Chief Minister clarified that Marathi remains the only compulsory language in Maharashtra. He explained that the state follows a three-language policy where students can choose additional languages freely.
Infrastructure Projects and Economic Growth
The Chief Minister highlighted several key infrastructure initiatives. He mentioned the Dharavi redevelopment project, which aims to transform Asia's largest slum into a modern township. Fadnavis noted that his government reviewed and revised the tender process for this mega project after coming to power.
Regarding transportation infrastructure, Fadnavis discussed the recently operational Navi Mumbai International Airport. He announced plans to construct a third airport in the Mumbai region. The Chief Minister also promised to increase the capacity of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.
On economic matters, Fadnavis pointed to India's healthy growth trajectory since 2014. He mentioned that several companies have seen their net worth increase during this period. The Chief Minister also noted that non-BJP ruled states have accepted investments from Adani group companies.
Personal Jabs and Debate Challenge
Fadnavis did not shy away from personal remarks during his speech. He criticized Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray for imitating him in public. The Chief Minister suggested that Raj Thackeray performs better mimicry than his nephew.
Fadnavis also issued a direct challenge to Uddhav Thackeray. He proposed a debate between Aaditya Thackeray and BJP candidate Sheetal Gambhir on Tuesday, the final day of campaigning. The Chief Minister made this offer in response to Uddhav Thackeray's earlier suggestion for a debate between Fadnavis and Aaditya.
Confidence in Mahayuti Victory
Expressing strong confidence in the upcoming election results, Fadnavis predicted that the Mahayuti flag would fly atop the Mumbai Municipal Corporation. He appealed to voters to support the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance in Thursday's polls. The Chief Minister emphasized that Mumbai forms an inseparable part of Maharashtra that cannot be divided.
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Union Minister Ramdas Athawale joined Fadnavis at the rally. Their presence reinforced the unity of the Mahayuti alliance as campaigning entered its final phase before the crucial BMC elections.
