“Not a Union of Hearts, but a Lament of Losing the Last Fort” — Eknath Shinde Targets Thackeray Brothers Ahead of BMC Polls

As political temperatures rise ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde launched a scathing attack on Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray, dismissing their recent political coming together as an act of desperation rather than reconciliation.

Addressing a joint Mahayuti rally in Mumbai, Shinde asserted that no force on earth can separate Mumbai from Maharashtra, strongly refuting claims made by opposition leaders suggesting otherwise. He termed such statements as a “fear-mongering tactic”, accusing the opposition of misleading voters due to the absence of any concrete development agenda.

“This is not a union of hearts. It is the lament of those who fear losing their last stronghold,” Shinde said, referring to the Thackeray brothers’ show of unity at Shivaji Park.

‘Alliance Born Out of Fear of Defeat’

Shinde described the Uddhav-Raj alliance as a “marriage of convenience”, claiming it was forged solely due to the fear of losing the BMC elections. He pointed out that leaders who had opposed each other for over two decades were now shaking hands because their political ground was slipping away.

Reiterating his claim over the Shiv Sena legacy, Shinde asserted that his faction represents the “true Shiv Sena” envisioned by Balasaheb Thackeray, while accusing the Shiv Sena (UBT) of compromising its Hindutva ideology by aligning with the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA).

BMC Election: A Fight Against Corruption

Calling the upcoming BMC polls a “final opportunity to cleanse corruption”, Shinde appealed to party workers and voters to support the Mahayuti alliance. He set a clear goal of hoisting the saffron flag over the BMC and electing a BJP mayor.

Urging citizens to choose development over division, Shinde highlighted key infrastructure projects such as the Atal Setu, Mumbai Coastal Road, and Dharavi Redevelopment Project, crediting them to the Mahayuti government’s “double-engine speed”.

In contrast, he criticized the previous MVA government, stating that it functioned like a “speed breaker”, slowing down Maharashtra’s progress.

With political rhetoric intensifying and alliances reshaping, the BMC elections are poised to become a high-stakes battle for Mumbai’s political future.