As Maharashtra gears up for a decisive Assembly election, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief and former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray delivered a heartfelt address to voters, pledging to fight for the state’s welfare “until his last breath.” Speaking at a rally despite his doctor’s advice following a recent angioplasty, Thackeray made an impassioned appeal to protect Maharashtra’s future.
“I am not worried about my health; my concern is the health of Maharashtra. If you want to move towards progress and a brighter future, vote for MVA and the ‘mashal’ (torch). If you want despair, choose the Mahayuti or MNS,” Thackeray urged, emphasizing the stakes of the upcoming election.
Thackeray warned voters against splitting ballots, as he claimed happened during the Lok Sabha elections, cautioning that divided votes could jeopardize Maharashtra’s future. Addressing rallies in Karjat for UBT candidate Nitin Savant and Bandra West for Varun Sardesai, Thackeray promised to revive stalled redevelopment projects in Mumbai, underscoring the importance of Mumbai’s survival as a part of Maharashtra.
“Mumbai is being slowly taken away from Maharashtra,” he asserted, accusing the BJP-led coalition of undermining the city’s autonomy. He also labeled the BJP’s alliance as the “Mahajhoothi Aghadi,” criticizing what he called “hollow promises,” such as a 50% discount on bus fares for women.
Thackeray took direct aim at the BJP and its allies, including the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), which he mockingly referred to as the “Gujarat Navnirman Sena.” He criticized MNS leader Raj Thackeray for delivering speeches that lacked relevance and direction, stating, “I won’t engage with him, but I promise to work for a better future for you.”
He also questioned the BJP’s reliance on 90,000 poll observers from Gujarat, alleging interference in Maharashtra’s elections. Thackeray claimed low attendance at rallies by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, calling out visible “empty chairs” at their events.
Thackeray framed the election as a battle for Mumbai’s future, urging voters to reject divisive politics. He ended his address with a plea for unity and determination, asking citizens to “choose progress over darkness” and ensure a brighter future for the state. With voting set to take place on November 20 and results on November 23, the stakes remain high as Maharashtra’s political landscape hangs in the balance.