59th foundation day of Sena: Shinde sounds BMC poll bugle, says Uddhav Sena looted Mumbai treasury

Indian Express

19-06-2025

Sounding the poll bugle for the upcoming elections to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde accused the Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena UBT, which ruled the civic body for over two decades, of looting it and now invoking the 'fight for Mumbai' campaign for 'political gain'.
Shinde was referring to Sena UBT MLA and former minister Aaditya Thackeray's recently launched 'ladha Mumbai cha' (fight for Mumbai) campaign.
He was speaking at the event to mark the 59th foundation day of Shiv Sena in Worli.
'Just like a demon's life is tied to a parrot, their lifeline is the BMC treasury, and hence they now remember Mumbai and fight for Mumbai, and are making baseless claims of plot to break Mumbai from Maharashtra,' Shinde said, alluding to the Sena UBT.
He added, 'Mumbai belongs to Maharashtra. No matter who comes or even if seven generations descend, no one can separate it from the state.'
Reaffirming his allegiance to Sena founder late Balasaheb Thackeray's ideology and referring to the foundation day event of Sena UBT, Shinde said, 'Ours is a gathering of principles, theirs is one of desperation for power. We have preserved Balasaheb's vision, and that's why Shiv Sena is charging ahead.'
Taking a dig at Uddhav, Shinde said, 'Even a chameleon takes time to change colour — not these people. Balasaheb once gave up his voting rights for Hindutva but never compromised. Today, those claiming to be his heirs have sold themselves for power.'
Referring to Uddhav's remark during the foundation day event of Sena UBT, Shinde said, 'What's the point of hitting someone politically dead? Maharashtra has already killed you in polls.'
Recalling a dialogue from the film Prahaar, Thackeray said during a rally, 'Like Nana Patekar in the film, I am standing before these traitors and telling them, Come on, kill me.'
'You were in power all these years, looting the treasury, playing with Mumbaikars' health, and now you remember the Mumbai fight?' he asked.
On ongoing investigations into the Mithi River desilting scam, Shinde warned, 'One person(actor Dino Morea) is already being probed — if he starts speaking, many will fall like dominoes. No one will escape the crocodile grip of the Mithi River.'
'Get ready to win,' he told party workers. 'The saffron flag of Mahayuti will fly high over municipal corporations, councils, and village panchayats.'
During his address, Shinde announced the launch of a new campaign titled 'Dowry-free Maharashtra' to protect the women facing dowry harrassment. The initiative, spearheaded by Sena's women's wing, comes in the wake of the tragic death of Vaishnavi Hagwane in Pune, allegedly due to dowry harassment.
'Like the daughters of Maharashtra, daughter-in-laws are also like my own sisters. This campaign will begin at Anand Ashram in Thane and expand across the state. Every Sena Shakha will become a second home for women facing dowry-related abuse,' Shinde said.
Earlier in the day, Shinde Sena mocked Uddhav Sena for celebrating the party's foundation day, claiming the Sena UBT came into existence only three years ago and should celebrate its foundation day on October 10, 2022, when the Election Commission granted it the name and mashal as its poll symbol.