Uddhav Thackeray Accuses BJP of Winning BMC Polls by ‘Betrayal’ in First Address After Results
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Friday launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party following the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election results, accusing the BJP of securing victory through betrayal rather than public support. In his first public address since the results were declared, Thackeray said the people of Mumbai, particularly the Marathi manoos, would not forgive what he described as a grave political sin.
Addressing party workers and supporters, Thackeray said the BJP’s win marked a dangerous shift in Mumbai’s political culture. He alleged that the civic mandate had been manipulated through pressure tactics, defections, and misuse of power, rather than earned through transparent democratic means. According to him, Mumbai was being treated as a commodity rather than a city built on the aspirations of its people.
‘Mumbai Cannot Be Mortgaged’
Thackeray accused the BJP of attempting to “mortgage Mumbai” by prioritising political dominance over the city’s identity and welfare. He said the Marathi-speaking population, which has historically shaped Mumbai’s social and cultural fabric, would remember the betrayal for years to come. His remarks drew loud applause from party workers, many of whom see the BMC loss as a symbolic blow to the Thackeray legacy.
Despite losing control of the civic body, Thackeray insisted that Shiv Sena (UBT) remains firmly rooted at the grassroots level. He rejected claims that the party had been weakened, pointing out that it still secured a substantial number of seats despite facing what he called an uneven playing field.
Defiance After Defeat
Thackeray’s tone during the address was defiant rather than conciliatory. He said the BJP believed it had finished Shiv Sena (UBT), but stressed that the party’s support base remains intact across Mumbai’s wards. “You can buy power, but you cannot buy loyalty,” he told supporters, urging them not to lose confidence after the setback.
He praised party workers for standing firm during what he described as one of the most challenging political phases for the organisation. Thackeray said the results should be seen not as an end but as a moment of introspection and renewed resolve.
Hope for a Mayor Still Alive
In a notable statement, Thackeray said the party has not abandoned hope of installing its own mayor in Mumbai. He suggested that political equations within the BMC could still change, depending on alliances and support from independents. His remarks hinted at continued political manoeuvring even as the BJP-led alliance moves closer to forming the civic leadership.
This declaration signalled that Shiv Sena (UBT) intends to remain an active force in the civic administration rather than retreat into opposition quietly.
Message to Supporters
Uddhav Thackeray urged party workers to stay connected with citizens and focus on local issues that affect everyday life, including housing, infrastructure, public transport, and healthcare. He said Mumbai’s civic politics should not be reduced to power games and warned that ignoring ground realities would ultimately cost those in power.
He also emphasised that the party’s ideological foundation remains unchanged and that its commitment to Mumbai and Maharashtra would continue regardless of electoral outcomes.
A Shifting Political Landscape
The BMC results mark a turning point in Mumbai’s political history, ending decades of uninterrupted Shiv Sena dominance in the civic body. Analysts view the outcome as a reflection of changing urban political dynamics and the BJP’s growing organisational strength in metropolitan regions.
However, Uddhav Thackeray’s speech made it clear that Shiv Sena (UBT) is not ready to concede political space in the city. By framing the defeat as a moral battle rather than a numerical loss, he sought to rally supporters and position the party for future contests.
As Mumbai moves into a new phase of civic governance, political tensions are expected to remain high. Thackeray’s words suggest that while the power equation has shifted, the political contest for the city’s soul is far from over.
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