Amid rain-soaked fervour at Shivaji Park, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) chief Uddhav Thackeray delivered a Dussehra rally speech, attacking the BJP and its allies while hinting at a possible alliance with his cousin Raj Thackeray’s MNS for the upcoming BMC polls on Thursday.
In his 40-minute address, Uddhav promised that once his party returns to power in the civic body, it would publish a White Paper exposing how the BJP “looted Mumbai’s treasury for three years.”
(From left) Uddhav Thackeray and Aaditya Thackeray at Shiv Sena’s annual Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park, Dadar, on October 2
On Marathi unity
“We have come together to stay together, and the reason for it is the Marathi language,” Uddhav said, signalling renewed ties between the Thackeray cousins. “I am not against any language, but I will fight if someone targets the Marathi language and the Marathi people.”
On farmers’ plight
Criticising the government for neglecting farmers, he said, “Crops in Marathwada have been completely destroyed due to heavy rains and floods. Farmers must be compensated Rs 50,000 per hectare.”
Supporters use chairs and umbrellas to shield themselves from rain as they listen to Uddhav’s speech at Shivaji Park
On BJP and Modi
Taking sharp jibes at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uddhav said, “PM went to Manipur after three years but did not meet the people who were affected when the state was burning.” He likened the BJP to “an amoeba” that unsettles society, “like an upset stomach,” eroding peace.
On civic issues
Uddhav attacked the state for Mumbai’s crumbling infrastructure — broken roads, flooding Metro stations, and a stalled monorail. “Rather than starting Metro and monorail, the government should think about starting boat services,” he quipped.
Crowds wade through a muddy path at Shivaji Park during the rally. Pics/Rane Ashish
Other barbs
On Sonam Wangchuk’s arrest: “Till the time he praised PM, he was not anti-national. Now they say he visited Pakistan. What should we call Modi, who met Nawaz Sharif?”
On the Asia Cup: “Father (Amit Shah) pretends to be patriotic, son (Jay Shah) plays cricket with Pakistan — this is your nepotism.”
On projects: “Mumbai’s BDD chawl redevelopment and Coastal Road were our projects. People know whose dream it was and who actually worked.”
On Mumbai 24/7: “We wanted night-time facilities like food stalls, toilets, drinking water. BJP opposed us, but today they quietly implement the same idea and take credit.”
Crowd voices
The rally, though smaller due to rain predictions, drew supporters from across Maharashtra. “The only way to counter the BJP is for both Thackeray cousins to fight elections together,” said Sena worker Anil Ambokar.
Aziz Momin, known as Muslim Mavla from Sangamner, added: “Those in power are dividing society instead of helping flood-hit farmers. If Uddhav had been CM, proper relief would have reached them.”
