Thackeray Launches Scathing Attack on BJP, Warns of Political Decline for Shinde Faction Ahead of BMC Polls

Mumbai, Jan 2026 : As campaigning intensifies for the crucial Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, Shiv Sena-UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray launched a blistering political attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday, warning of a bleak future for the Eknath Shinde-led Sena faction and accusing the BJP of undermining Maharashtra’s political culture.

In an exclusive interview with a regional news channel, Thackeray dismissed the BJP’s claims of being a “pro-Hindutva party,” describing them as “power-hungry opportunists” whose primary aim is to retain control. Drawing from history, he said the BJP’s ideological roots, tracing back to the Jan Sangh, show a pattern of joining popular movements only when convenient and abandoning them once their interests are served.

“BJP is not a Hindutva party; it is a party obsessed with power. Their DNA is rooted in opportunism; they merely pretend to be saints. They are willing to ally with anyone—even goons—just to stay in power,” Thackeray said. He likened the party’s expansion to a “single-celled amoeba,” devouring everything in its path, and criticized its recent alliance with AIMIM in the Akot Municipal Council, terming it “BJP’s Love Jihad.”

Thackeray also took aim at BJP ministers, alleging hypocrisy in their rhetoric on Hindutva. “BJP ministers consume beef yet lecture us on Hindutva. In the Municipal Corporation, the issue isn’t Hindu-Muslim; it’s about governance,” he said, stressing that civic administration should focus on development, not religious polarization.

Addressing the present political climate, Thackeray expressed concern over what he described as a “strange” and declining political environment. “We expect elections to be conducted fairly. There was a time when a thief would run if called out. Today, thieves proudly proclaim their identity. Maharashtra has never seen such a situation. While politics was once marked by civility, it is now completely defaced,” he remarked.

The former Chief Minister also highlighted the identity of Mumbai, responding to recent controversies over linguistic demographics in suburban areas. “We are clear—Mumbai’s Mayor will be a Marathi person. Why is the BJP trying to impose Hindi and other languages? Should we sit back and listen when they claim the language of Ghatkopar is Gujarati? Who are they to decide?” he asked.

Thackeray accused the current state administration of saddling Mumbai with a massive Rs 3 lakh crore debt and “looting” the city’s resources. He raised the grievances of the local Marathi population, claiming that over the last two to three years, they have been systematically marginalized. “Marathi people are being denied housing, criticised for their food habits, and dominated in their own city. Their arrogance has grown because their ‘bosses’ are sitting in Delhi,” he said, highlighting what he described as the erosion of civic rights and local identity.

The Shiv Sena-UBT chief’s remarks come as the BMC elections approach on January 15, setting the stage for a highly charged political battle in Maharashtra’s financial capital.