Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has accused the BJP of trying to weaken the Marathi identity in Mumbai, saying there is a deliberate attempt to push Marathi people out of the city. In an interview, Thackeray said that Mumbai belongs to Marathis and that as long as he remains active in politics, the BJP will not be able to take control of the city.
Thackeray claimed that policies related to housing, redevelopment and big infrastructure projects are making Mumbai unaffordable for Marathi families. According to him, rising property prices and shrinking living spaces are forcing local residents to move out, while big corporate interests are being favoured.
He said Mumbai was built by the hard work of Marathi people and that its culture, language and identity must be protected. Thackeray accused the BJP of ignoring local concerns and focusing only on power and control over civic bodies like the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.
Speaking about upcoming civic polls, Thackeray said the battle for Mumbai is not just political but emotional. He described the elections as a fight to protect Mumbai’s soul and warned that losing control of the city would mean losing the voice of Marathi people.
Thackeray also targeted the split in Shiv Sena, saying the BJP used power and pressure to break the party. He said the real Shiv Sena still stands with the people of Maharashtra and will continue to fight for their rights.
On governance, Thackeray said his party believes in development that includes locals rather than pushing them out. He stressed that jobs, housing and business opportunities should first benefit Mumbai’s original residents.
As political tensions rise ahead of civic elections, Thackeray’s remarks signal that Marathi identity and control over Mumbai will remain central issues in the coming months. The BJP has not yet responded to his claims, but the statements are expected to sharpen the political battle for the city.
