Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis launched a scathing critique on Sunday against the newly formed alliance between the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Raj Thackeray-headed Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). He labelled their partnership, forged just ahead of the crucial Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, as a "Bheeti Sangam"—a union motivated by fear rather than genuine affection.
A Rally in Kandivali and a Stinging Attack
Addressing a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rally in Mumbai's Kandivali area, Fadnavis drew a sharp distinction. "This is not a 'preeti sangam' (union out of love). This is a 'bheeti sangam' (union out of fear)," he declared. His comments came on the same day the Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS jointly released their manifesto for the upcoming civic polls.
Fadnavis dismissed the document, suggesting it should not be considered a set of promises. "It is not a 'Vachannama' (promises). It is a 'Vachunama' (reading material). Even those who released it do not know what they have written," he quipped, questioning the substance and intent behind the alliance's pledges.
Unfulfilled Promises and a Copy-Paste Manifesto
The Chief Minister intensified his assault by referencing past commitments. He pointed to a fact-check report concerning assurances made by Uddhav Thackeray back in 2017. Fadnavis claimed that not a single promise listed in the Shiv Sena's 2017 civic poll manifesto was ever fulfilled. He went further, alleging that the recent manifesto presented by the Sena UBT-MNS combine is merely a "copy-paste" of the old, unfulfilled document.
"When we check the earlier assurances, not a single one was completed," Fadnavis stated, casting doubt on the credibility of the new alliance's electoral pledges.
Personal Jibes and Political Setbacks
In a personal dig at the two leaders, Fadnavis remarked, "Someone told me that a cartoonist (Raj) and a photographer (Uddhav) have come together. I told them that confusion and corruption have united." He also took a swipe at Uddhav Thackeray's tenure as Chief Minister, recalling an old challenge. Fadnavis said he had previously announced a reward of Rs 1,000 for anyone who could find Thackeray speaking about development. "Now I have decided to increase that amount to Rs 2,000," he announced.
The BJP rally also witnessed a significant setback for the Shiv Sena (UBT). Former Mumbai mayor Shubha Raul joined the BJP after resigning from the Uddhav Thackeray-led party, providing a morale boost to the BJP camp ahead of the polls.
Campaign Song and Broader Electoral Context
At the event, the BJP-led alliance released its campaign song titled "Mahapalika radate aahe" (the municipal corporation is crying), composed by singer Avadhoot Gupte. The song accuses the Shiv Sena (UBT) of misrule during its long tenure controlling the BMC.
Voting for the BMC, along with 28 other civic bodies across Maharashtra, is scheduled for January 15. The BMC, India's wealthiest municipal corporation, has historically been a Shiv Sena stronghold. However, the upcoming election is poised to be a tightly contested battle amid the state's rapidly shifting political alliances.
Fadnavis also commented on Raj Thackeray's recent statement about visiting the Sena Bhavan after two decades and feeling as if he had "come out of jail." "If you say you have come out of jail after 20 years, then people should know who sent you to jail, for which offence you went to jail, and whether that chapter is over now," he said, adding that Raj Thackeray's current demeanor seemed altered from his earlier self.
