MUMBAI: MNS leader Raj Thackeray has unleashed sharp criticism against the BJP, accusing those who aim to detach Mumbai from Maharashtra of holding power both at the Centre and in the state. He cautioned that if the party gains control over municipal corporations, the “Marathi manoos” will be left without influence.
In the opening segment of a joint interview featuring Raj Thackeray and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, printed in the party’s publication Saamana on Thursday, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president stated that he and his cousin have joined forces not for their own political survival but to safeguard the interests of the “Marathi manoos” across the state.
The Thackeray cousins were questioned by Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha member and Saamana’s Executive Editor Sanjay Raut, along with acclaimed filmmaker Mahesh Manjrekar.
Last month, the cousins revealed their parties’ partnership ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections scheduled for January 15.
During the Saamana conversation, Raj Thackeray noted that outsiders arriving in the state are not merely seeking employment opportunities but are establishing their own vote banks.
MNS Chief Raj Thackeray’s Statement
“This is a longstanding grievance…attempts continue to fulfill the objective of severing Mumbai from Maharashtra,” he asserted.
He drew parallels to the Samyukta Maharashtra movement era, when Gujarat sought to claim Mumbai as its territory.
“The forces wanting to separate Mumbai from Maharashtra now hold authority at both the central and state levels,” Raj Thackeray remarked, taking aim at the BJP.
“The Marathi manoos will lose all agency if they (BJP) assume command of municipal corporations,” he contended.
Securing control of civic institutions is essential to establish limits on this issue, particularly in Mumbai, Pune, Thane, Nashik, Mira-Bhayander, Kalyan-Dombivali, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, the MNS leader emphasized.
Criticizing the state administration, Uddhav Thackeray stated that while the BJP promotes development initiatives, they result in deterioration instead of advancement.
This represents “development lacking planning,” he maintained.
“The government lacks clarity about its objectives,” the former chief minister added.
He expressed disappointment that despite those in authority being Marathi or hailing from Maharashtra, they remain disconnected from Mumbai’s residents.
“Their work serves contractors exclusively,” the Sena (UBT) chief alleged.
Raj Thackeray also condemned the state government regarding the escalating drug crisis. He stressed the need to establish connections between political funding and narcotics, which have become readily accessible.
He alleged that anti-drug operations have ceased, and drug trafficking in the state remains unregulated.
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