“BJP Is Power-Hungry, Uses Hindutva Only for Show,” Uddhav Thackeray Launches Major Attack Ahead of BMC Polls

Mumbai: Ahead of the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray launched a scathing attack on the BJP, accusing the party of being driven solely by a hunger for power. Thackeray alleged that the BJP only uses Hindutva as a facade and is willing to go to any extent to remain in power. He also asserted that the next Mayor of Mumbai will be a Marathi.

Targeting BJP Hard
In an interview with a regional news channel on Thursday, Thackeray said that while the BJP presents itself as a “pro-Hindutva party,” in reality, it is motivated by power. He referred to the history of the Jana Sangh, saying the party joined the Samyukta Maharashtra Movement late and left early for its own benefit. Thackeray further claimed that opportunism is embedded in the BJP’s DNA and that the party only pretends to follow the path of saints. He also alleged that the BJP is willing to ally with even criminal elements to retain power.

“Election Issue Is Governance, Not Hindu-Muslim Divide”
Thackeray compared the BJP to a “single-celled amoeba” that wants to swallow everything. He criticized the BJP-AIMIM alliance in Akot municipal council as an example of what he called “BJP’s love jihad.” He also claimed that BJP ministers consume beef while preaching Hindutva. Thackeray stressed that the BMC elections should focus on governance, not communal issues.

“We Hope Elections Will Be Fair”
Expressing concern over Maharashtra’s current political climate, Thackeray described the upcoming BMC elections as taking place in a “strange” environment. He said, “We hope the elections will be conducted fairly. There was a time when a thief would run away when accused. Today, thieves proudly declare their identity. Maharashtra has never witnessed such a situation.” He lamented that political decorum has been completely eroded in the state.

Marathi Identity in Mumbai
On Mumbai’s cultural identity, Thackeray was firm. “The next Mayor of Mumbai will be a Marathi person,” he said. He questioned why the BJP is trying to impose Hindi and other languages over Mumbai and asked, “Who decides that the language of Ghatkopar is Gujarati?”

Allegations of Massive Debt
Thackeray also accused the current Maharashtra government of saddling Mumbai with ₹3 lakh crore in debt. He alleged that the city’s resources were being plundered and highlighted complaints from the local Marathi population. “In the past two to three years, Marathi people in Mumbai have been subjected to intimidation. Show me another state in India where locals are treated like this. They cannot get housing, and even their dietary habits are criticized. While Marathi people usually integrate wherever they go, now outsiders are trying to dominate our homes. Their arrogance has grown because their ‘bosses’ sit in Delhi,” he said.