Those helping BJP are Maharashtra’s ‘enemies’, polls are all about love vs betrayal of State: Uddhav Thackeray

The ex-Chief Minister delivers a speech at his inaugural campaign event for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections in Kolhapur district.

Uddhav Thackeray, the president of Shiv Sena (UBT) and former Chief Minister of Maharashtra, commenced his campaign trail on Tuesday. He portrayed the upcoming Assembly polls as a showdown between individuals who hold affection for the State and those who deceive it, alluding to the party’s split in 2022.

Should the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi assume power, Mr. Thackeray pledged to construct a Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj temple in each district, while also criticizing his former ally BJP and its supporters, whom he deemed as “enemies” of Maharashtra.

At the inaugural gathering for the 2024 Assembly elections held in Radhanagri, situated in Kolhapur district, the region of Prakash Abitkar, a dissenting Shiv Sena MLA among the group of 40, the leader emphasized that individuals who hold affection for the state are in harmony with the Opposition MVA. The MVA coalition includes the Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, and NCP (SP).

Mr. Thackeray stated that individuals supporting the BJP, a member of the governing Mahayuti alliance, are considered adversaries of Maharashtra.

Accusing his former ally once again, the ex-CM alleged that the BJP had effectively “handed over” Maharashtra to Gujarat, where the party holds sway.

In June 2022, Mr. Thackeray asserted that his administration was ousted because he refused to let the BJP damage Maharashtra. He emphasized that during his tenure leading the MVA, no industrial project relocated from the State.

Thackeray addressed the audience, stating that the Maharashtra assembly elections are a battle between those who have affection for the State and those who deceive it.

The leader of Shiv Sena (UBT) commenced his address by declaring, “Jamlelya Majhya Tamam Maharashtra Premi Bandhavanu, Matanu ani Baghinino” (My Maharashtra loving brothers, mothers, and sisters), aiming to frame the political contest as a clash between “those who hold affection for the State and those who operate in opposition to it”.

During the Lok Sabha elections held in April-May, his campaign speeches took a different tone as he greeted the audience with the words “My Maharashtra loving brothers, mothers, and sisters,” deviating from his usual Hindutva-based opening of “My Hindu brothers, mothers, and sisters.” This shift may signify his closer association with the Congress and the NCP (SP), known for their stance as “secular” parties.

Mr. Thackeray highlighted that despite his party filing petitions in the Supreme Court to disqualify rebel Sena MLAs, he feels that true justice has not been served by the highest court. Therefore, he has turned to the court of public opinion in search of justice.

Insisting that the fight is not for personal gain but for the people of Maharashtra, the former CM made it clear.

Accusing the BJP of attempting to leverage religion and caste divisions for power, he highlighted the party’s divisive tactics.

Accusing the administration led by Eknath Shinde of the State, following the downfall of the MVA regime, Mr. Thackeray claimed that the government operates based on “commission”.

The Sena leader criticized the Mahayuti government’s primary initiative for underprivileged women, Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, highlighting that authorities failed to take action when the mother of the victim, who reportedly faced sexual assault at a school in Badlapur, Thane district in August, tried to file a complaint with the police.

The individual mentioned that despite the implementation of the Ladki Bahin Yojana by the government, which offers a monthly stipend of ₹1,500 to underprivileged women, the escalating inflation is driving up the prices of essential goods, burdening ordinary citizens.

In the event of the MVA assuming power, Mr. Thackeray pledged that there will be a temple dedicated to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in every district of Maharashtra.

The ex-chief minister expressed his intention to potentially construct a temple honoring the 17th-century Maratha warrior king in Surat, Gujarat, a city associated with Shivaji Maharaj’s military exploits.

He guaranteed that once the MVA assumes control, prices of vital food staples such as rice, pulses, oil, and sugar will be stabilized.

Mr. Thackeray mentioned that education is currently free for female students in the State; however, a government led by MVA will also provide this privilege to male students.

The ex-Chief Minister announced plans to set up police stations exclusively for women in the State, aimed at creating a secure space for women to report issues and seek resolution for their complaints.

If the MVA were to take control, it has been clearly indicated that the Dharavi Redevelopment Project in Mumbai, with a valuation in the multi-crore bracket and presently being carried out by the Adani Group, would be subject to termination.

Mr. Thackeray further guaranteed that farmers would receive the minimum support price (MSP) for their crops under the MVA regime.

On November 20, voting will commence for the 288-member Assembly, with the counting of votes scheduled three days after. A total of 4,140 candidates are contesting in various constituencies across the State.