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Taking a swipe at the optics of the Thackeray brothers’ joint press conference, Fadnavis remarked, “Today’s press conference was like digging a mountain and finding a mouse.”
Fadnavis said he was “happy” about the Thackeray brothers reuniting but added that their coming together would not make much difference on the ground. (Image: PTI)
“This is a union born out of fear, not a union born out of love,” Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Tuesday, reacting sharply to Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and MNS president Raj Thackeray coming together ahead of the Maharashtra civic polls. Addressing reporters, Fadnavis said he was “happy” about the Thackeray brothers reuniting but added that their coming together would not make much difference on the ground.
“They are both fighting for their political survival,” the Chief Minister said, asserting that Mumbaikars would not go along with them. “Mumbai voters will vote for the Mahayuti,” he said, adding that emotional appeals would not sway the electorate. “Mumbaikars will not be swayed by emotional appeals. They want development.”
Fadnavis accused the Thackerays of not talking about development and said Uddhav Thackeray would have to “give an account of the last 25 years” of governance. “The Mahayuti has taken care of Mumbaikars’ interests,” he said, reiterating that the NDA alliance remained strong in the state’s capital.
Taking a swipe at the optics of the Thackeray brothers’ joint press conference, Fadnavis remarked, “Today’s press conference was like digging a mountain and finding a mouse.” He also defended the BJP’s ideological position, saying, “Our Hindutva is accepted by the people. We did not become Hindu for votes.” He added that those who “keep switching sides should not lecture us on Hindutva.”
Rejecting allegations of opportunism against the BJP, Fadnavis said, “We are not the kind of people who drape saffron shawls just to get votes.” He also confirmed that talks within the ruling alliance were progressing smoothly. “Our alliance talks are in the final stage, and we will announce it soon,” he said.
The comments came a day after Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray announced their reunion after nearly two decades to contest civic polls together, including the crucial Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections. Raj Thackeray had split from the undivided Shiv Sena in 2005, forming the MNS, leading to years of political rivalry between the cousins.
The BJP, however, has maintained that the Thackerays’ reunion is driven by fear of electoral loss and reiterated that Mumbai remains firmly with the Mahayuti.
Addressing a press conference, the BJP described the reunion as a move driven by fear rather than political conviction. The BJP said that “parivaar vaadi forces have come together due to fear of loss,” claiming the alliance was forged out of concern over dwindling political relevance. According to the BJP, the Thackerays were apprehensive that Mumbai voters were increasingly inclined towards a “Vikas ki sarkar,” prompting them to unite to protect their political interests.
The party further alleged that the alliance was an attempt to “save their deposits” in the civic elections, asserting that the people of Mumbai had already made up their minds and stood firmly with the NDA. BJP leaders maintained that development, governance and infrastructure would remain the dominant issues for voters, rather than family-based politics.
While the Thackeray brothers have projected the alliance as a move to protect Marathi interests and prevent division of votes, the BJP has dismissed the narrative, reiterating that Mumbai remains with the NDA and that voters will choose stability and development over what it called opportunistic political alliances.
December 24, 2025, 13:43 IST
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