Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray delivered a sharp and fiery critique of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of attempting to seize control of Mumbai through unethical and manipulative tactics. Speaking at a high-energy party gathering at the NSCI Dome in Worli, Thackeray used strong metaphors to denounce what he described as the BJP’s aggressive expansionism and interference in Maharashtra’s political and cultural identity. He also issued a direct warning to the Election Commission, demanding transparent elections and vowing to prevent any form of voter fraud.
During his address, Thackeray compared Amit Shah to both an “Anaconda” and “Abdali”, using vivid imagery to describe how the BJP, under Shah’s leadership, was attempting to “swallow” Mumbai through political maneuvering and rapid land acquisitions. He referred to a report published in Saamna, Shiv Sena (UBT)’s party newspaper, which alleged that the BJP had built a new office in Mumbai by unlawfully grabbing land. Drawing from this incident, Thackeray said, “Just like the anaconda that devours everything in its path, they want to gulp down Mumbai,” a remark that drew significant applause from the crowd.
Continuing his assault, Thackeray likened BJP leaders to Ahmad Shah Abdali, the infamous Afghan invader, accusing them of coming to “capture Mumbai” in a modern form of invasion. He stated that the “real Abdalis have come again, this time from Delhi and Gujarat,” asserting that if they tried to seize the city, “their tomb will be built on our soil.” Through this historical analogy, Thackeray aimed to frame the BJP’s actions as a direct threat to Mumbai’s sovereignty and Maharashtra’s pride.
He also linked the BJP’s political actions to what he described as a long history of exploitation of Maharashtra by leaders from Gujarat. He recalled how Morarji Desai, another prominent Gujarati figure, allegedly ordered the shooting of Maharashtrian protestors during his time in power, connecting the past injustices to what he perceives as present-day political domination by outsiders.
In response to the BJP’s frequent allegations against opposition parties over dynastic politics, Thackeray turned the tables by questioning Jay Shah’s rise to the position of BCCI secretary. He asked rhetorically whether Jay Shah earned the role through “merit or his father’s influence,” calling the BJP’s stance on nepotism hypocritical. This accusation was part of Thackeray’s larger argument that the BJP selectively uses moral arguments to target others while engaging in similar practices internally.
Addressing concerns about voter list manipulation in the Worli constituency, Thackeray issued a stern warning to the Election Commission (EC). He declared that elections in Maharashtra would not be permitted to move forward until the alleged irregularities were resolved, cautioning that any involvement of the EC in voter fraud would be treated as a criminal act if his party came to power. Emphasizing accountability, he stated, “In democracy, everyone is equal, no one is above the law.”
Thackeray ended his speech with a direct challenge to the BJP, urging them to engage in an open and fair electoral battle rather than relying on deceitful practices. “If you have the courage, fight openly. Don’t resort to vote chori (vote theft),” he declared. His closing remarks reaffirmed his message that Mumbai will not bow down to external political control, and that the city’s identity and democratic integrity must be protected at all costs.
