Mumbai: As campaigning for the upcoming municipal elections in Maharashtra enters its final phase, political rhetoric has intensified. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has strongly responded to a statement by Shiv Sena UBT leader and MP Sanjay Raut, who claimed that his party could still shut down Mumbai in just 10 minutes.
Raut’s Claim Sparks Controversy
Sanjay Raut made the statement during an interview, highlighting it as one of the party’s major achievements. He asserted that even today, UBT has the ability to close down the city in a short span of time, emphasizing that the influence of the Thackeray family remains intact.
Fadnavis Issues a Challenge
Reacting sharply, CM Fadnavis dismissed the claim as an empty threat, saying that Raut’s party cannot even shut down the area around their own homes. He added, “The BJP does not fear hollow threats.” Recalling the 2022 political shift, Fadnavis noted that when the Shinde faction went to Guwahati, Raut had claimed that they would not be allowed to set foot in Mumbai. Yet, Shinde returned with 50 MLAs, and along with Fadnavis, reached Raj Bhavan via Mumbai streets to form the government. “These are just words. The capability to shut Mumbai in two hours belonged to the late Balasaheb Thackeray. UBT has no such power now; Raut only talks big,” Fadnavis said.
Political Stakes Ahead of BMC Polls
The municipal elections are scheduled in Mumbai on 15 January. With tensions rising, both ruling and opposition parties are engaged in verbal sparring, highlighting the high stakes in the city’s political landscape.
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