BJP’s Victory ‘Stained by Misuse of Power’, Our Defeat Has Grace: Uddhav Thackeray

Mumbai, Jan 2026 : Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party following the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election results, asserting that while the BJP may have secured more seats, its victory was “tainted by the misuse of power”, whereas his party’s defeat carried dignity and moral strength.

Addressing his first press conference after the BMC results, in which the Shiv Sena (UBT) won 65 seats, Thackeray said he did not consider the outcome a real defeat. Drawing a sharp contrast between the two sides, he remarked, “I don’t feel we have been defeated. Our defeat has a certain tej (grace or brilliance), while their victory is dagallela (stained).”

In a strongly worded statement, Thackeray likened the BJP to an “anaconda”, accusing it of using allies for political gain and discarding them when convenient. “The BJP’s mindset is to use and throw. They will eventually finish off the very people they have allied with today,” he warned, suggesting that the party’s expansionist politics would ultimately turn inward.

Rejecting claims that the Shiv Sena had been politically wiped out, Thackeray said the BMC verdict demonstrated the continued grassroots strength of his party. “The BJP may have finished the Shiv Sena on paper, but yesterday’s results prove they cannot destroy the Shiv Sena that exists on the ground,” he said, emphasising the resilience of party workers and supporters.

He further alleged that the BJP’s dependence on government machinery and political manoeuvring exposed a lack of genuine popular support. “If they truly had a strong presence on the ground, they wouldn’t have needed to break other parties, misuse official machinery, or change rules to suit their agenda,” Thackeray asserted, adding that political dominance achieved through such methods lacked legitimacy.

Thackeray began the press conference on a conciliatory note, acknowledging his limited reach during the campaign. “I could only visit Mumbai, Thane and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar. I apologise to the Shiv Sainiks and voters in places I couldn’t visit personally,” he said, expressing gratitude to party workers who carried the campaign forward in his absence.

He also thanked voters from “Chanda to Banda” across Maharashtra for supporting the alliance of Shiv Sena (UBT), Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). At the same time, he accused the ruling parties of adopting unethical methods during the elections. “They fought these elections in a very strange and filthy manner. Every seat was treated as a life-and-death battle, going far beyond saam, daam, dand, bhed,” he said.

According to Thackeray, the true defenders of democracy were voters who resisted inducements and intimidation. “Despite money power and threats, those who stood their ground and voted freely are the real protectors of democracy,” he remarked.

Questioning the credibility of the results, Thackeray highlighted what he described as a mismatch between public response at rallies and the final vote tally. “I haven’t found the answer to one mathematical puzzle,” he said, pointing out that rallies addressed by senior BJP leaders had sparse attendance, while those led by him and Raj Thackeray drew large crowds. “It is a mystery how empty chairs translated into votes for them,” he added.

He further alleged that the ruling party’s success was aided by the misuse of development funds for electoral inducements. “Pressure cookers, sarees and cash were distributed. Where does this money come from?” Thackeray asked, raising concerns over the integrity of the electoral process.

Despite these allegations, Thackeray highlighted what he described as a moral victory for his party’s grassroots workers. He praised ordinary Shiv Sainiks for standing firm against overwhelming financial power. “Our simple party workers have shown how loyalty and commitment can fight against a waterfall of wealth,” he said, crediting them for the party’s performance.

Expressing gratitude to the people of Mumbai, Thackeray admitted he had expected a stronger mandate, given the party’s long-standing association with the city. He recalled the Shiv Sena’s 25 years of service in the BMC and the global recognition earned by the “Mumbai model” of governance during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We placed our record of service before the people. Considering our work during the pandemic, we hoped for a bigger blessing from Mumbaikars,” he said. “While the outcome may not match our expectations, the support we have received is still significant.”

Concluding his remarks, Thackeray reiterated that he did not view the result as a defeat, but as a reflection of political realities shaped by power, money and institutions. “This is not the end of the Shiv Sena. The fight continues, and it will be fought on the ground, with the people,” he said.

Team Maverick.