Ganesh Chaturthi festivities commenced in Maharashtra with prominent figures from politics and Bollywood participating in the celebrations. Former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, along with his son Aaditya, visited Mumbai’s iconic Lalbaugcha Raja, while the current Chief Minister Eknath Shinde offered prayers at his residence. Bollywood actor Kartik Aaryan was also seen seeking blessings at Lalbaugcha Raja, showcasing the widespread enthusiasm for the festival.
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s apology for the collapse of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s statue, calling it an act of arrogance. Thackeray, along with other opposition leaders, led protests in Mumbai demanding the removal of the BJP from power. Meanwhile, the BJP countered the allegations and staged their own protests against the opposition.
Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske criticized Uddhav Thackeray for opposing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, alleging that he is indebted to Muslims for their support and has betrayed Balasaheb Thackeray’s stance on the Waqf Board. Thackeray, in response, pledged to protect all religious properties, including temples, against any interference.
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has accused the Maharashtra government of planning fraudulent voting in the upcoming assembly polls. He urged party workers to remain vigilant and verify electoral rolls. Thackeray also criticized Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, accusing him of bowing to Delhi and using the ‘Mukhyamantri Ladki Bahin Yojana’ to bribe voters.
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has rejected the possibility of taking back members who left the party and joined the Eknath Shinde camp. Thackeray made the comments during a press conference with Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance partners when asked about the possibility of accepting back those who left during the MVA alliance. Meanwhile, Thackeray expressed confidence in the MVA’s victory in the upcoming assembly elections in the state and thanked PM Modi for creating a favorable political atmosphere for the alliance.
The Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) alliance with the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) in the Mumbai Lok Sabha polls is a calculated gamble, with potential implications for the party’s fortunes in the city. While the MNS led by Raj Thackeray brings a Marathi votebank, its past anti-north Indian stance creates apprehension among BJP cadres and voters. Political analysts point out the MNS’s inconsistent political allegiances, questioning the durability of its support for the BJP. The BJP’s strategy hinges on the belief that Thackeray’s oratorical skills and appeal to Marathi-speaking voters can counter the Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP’s campaigns. However, the MNS’s lack of a strong organizational base and its perceived shift away from its nativist roots could limit its impact, particularly in light of the polarizing rhetoric employed by the BJP leadership.
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has issued a dire warning, stating that India will face ‘black days’ if the current Modi government is not defeated in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. In an interview with his party mouthpiece ‘Saamana,’ Thackeray highlighted the importance of democracy and urged the people of India to decide the fate of their leaders through the electoral process.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has once again targeted former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, accusing him of abandoning his father’s Hindutva ideals. Addressing a rally in Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg, Shah dared Thackeray to take Hindutva ideologue V.D. Savarkar’s name in his speeches, asserting that the real Shiv Sena belonged to Eknath Shinde. Shah also criticized Thackeray for allying with the Congress and NCP, questioning his support for Muslim Personal Law and Article 370. The BJP is looking to wrest the Konkan region, which has a significant number of Thackeray supporters, in the upcoming elections.
The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) has released its manifesto, emphasizing initiatives to halt the ‘loot’ of Maharashtra, create jobs, and provide farm loan waivers. The manifesto aims to bring economic opportunities to the state by establishing a financial city within Maharashtra and minimizing migration by creating jobs at the district level. Farm loan waivers, revised crop insurance conditions, free GST on agricultural equipment and seeds, and the implementation of MSP as recommended by the Swaminathan Committee report are among the key promises made in the manifesto.
Mihir Kotecha, the sitting BJP MLA and Lok Sabha candidate, has pledged to focus on development in his region. His priorities include halting PAPs, relocating the dumping ground, constructing the Mulund Terminus, and establishing a state-of-the-art sports complex. Kotecha expressed confidence in his party’s performance in the upcoming elections, predicting they will surpass the 400 mark due to the changing political equations in Maharashtra.
