In a fiery address at a Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) rally at Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) grounds on Sunday, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray issued a stern warning to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). Thackeray declared that if his alliance comes to power in the 2024 Maharashtra elections, the MMRDA would face closure if found acting against Mumbai’s autonomy and interests.
“If the MMRDA stands in the way of the BMC’s autonomy, I will not hesitate to shut it down,” Thackeray said, emphasizing that the agency should operate outside Mumbai’s jurisdiction.
Attack on BJP and Corporates
Thackeray launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, accusing them of attempting to diminish Mumbai’s importance and loot its resources. “Modi and Shah cannot separate Mumbai from Maharashtra, so they are trying to undermine the city’s stature,” he stated.
The Shiv Sena leader accused the BJP of selling prime Mumbai land to private builders, promising that an MVA government would nullify such government resolutions (GRs). “We will scrap one such redevelopment plan in the first cabinet meeting,” he declared, vowing to protect Mumbai’s legacy.
Opposition to Economic Policies
Thackeray fiercely criticized the BJP’s economic plans for Mumbai, alleging that the city’s prime land was being handed over to corporate tycoons. He claimed that businesses moving to Gujarat under BJP’s rule were part of a broader plan to strip Mumbai of its economic and cultural significance. “We earned Mumbai with our blood and sweat,” he said.
“I have no issue with Gujaratis, but Modi and Shah are dividing states and communities,” he added, urging Gujaratis to speak out against the alleged “looting” of Mumbai.
Questions Over Election Oversight
Thackeray raised concerns about BJP leader Pankaja Munde’s claim that 90,000 booth observers from Gujarat had been deployed in Mumbai for election monitoring. He called on the Election Commission to investigate the source of funding for these observers, questioning their necessity and intent.
Targeting Eknath Shinde
The Shiv Sena leader didn’t spare Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, sarcastically remarking that the overwhelming number of BJP hoardings across Mumbai showcased “how much money has been looted from Maharashtra’s coffers.”
Promise of Action
Thackeray concluded by reaffirming his commitment to protecting Mumbai from what he described as a “BJP-led assault on the city’s autonomy and resources.” “Mumbai is not just a city; it’s a legacy we must defend. If you attack or loot Mumbai, we will respond with full force,” he said, invoking the legacy of Shivaji Maharaj and other historical figures.
The rally marked a decisive stand by Thackeray and the MVA as they gear up for a high-stakes battle in the upcoming assembly elections.