Raj Thackeray Reacts to Mumbai BMC Results, Vows to Defend Marathi Identity

Mumbai, Maharashtra: Following the announcement of the results of the 29 municipal corporation elections in Maharashtra, including the high-stakes Mumbai BMC polls, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has issued his first public reaction.

Describing the Mumbai BMC election as challenging, Raj Thackeray once again invoked the Marathi identity card, stating that the struggle is for the very existence of the Marathi community. “These battles are long-term. We will analyze, act, and ensure that justice is served where it is due,” he wrote.

The statement comes in the wake of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut’s sharp criticism of Eknath Shinde, whom he called ‘Jaychand,’ following the BJP-Shinde alliance’s success in Mumbai. Despite expectations that the MNS would make significant inroads, the BJP-Shinde combine won 118 out of 227 BMC seats. Shiv Sena (UBT) secured 65 seats, MNS won 6, Congress 24, and the Ajit Pawar faction 3, with the remaining 10 seats going to others.

Raj Thackeray emphasized that MNS corporators will work strongly in the BMC. “If they find any injustice against Marathi people, they will ensure the responsible authorities face consequences,” he said, adding that the ruling parties will not get any opportunity to humiliate the Marathi community—whether in Mumbai’s MMR area or across the state.

He further highlighted that the election was fiercely contested and praised the efforts of party workers. “Our fight is for Marathi people, Marathi language, Marathi identity, and a prosperous Maharashtra. This is a struggle for our existence,” Raj Thackeray stated. He called for internal analysis to identify mistakes, gaps, or shortcomings and to plan corrective action.

In closing, he reaffirmed the MNS’s commitment to the Marathi community: “Elections come and go, but our breath is Marathi. Let us rebuild our party and organization with renewed strength.”

Meanwhile, UBT Shiv Sena congratulated all newly elected corporators under the ShivShakti banner, acknowledging that the political struggle continues until the Marathi community receives its due respect.