Key Points
- Raj and Uddhav Thackeray addressed a joint rally at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park on January 11, 2026, their first shared stage in over 20 years.
- Raj Thackeray directly targeted migrants from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, stating “Hindi is not your language” and warning of consequences if Hindi is imposed on Maharashtra.
- Raj declared the BMC election as the “last election for Marathi citizens,” urging vigilance at polling booths from 6 AM to prevent fraudulent voting.
- Uddhav Thackeray attacked BJP’s Hindutva as “fake” and “counterfeit,” questioning if the party wants to rename Mumbai as ‘Bombay’.
- Both leaders accused BJP of facilitating Adani Group’s land acquisitions in Mumbai, threatening the city’s Marathi identity and local control.
- The alliance aims to consolidate the divided Marathi vote bank against BJP in the crucial municipal elections scheduled for January 15, 2026.
In a historic political event that reshaped Maharashtra’s electoral landscape, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray shared a stage at Mumbai’s iconic Shivaji Park on Sunday, January 11, 2026, marking their first joint rally in over two decades. The dramatic reunion, held just days before the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections on January 15, transformed the political contest into a battle for Marathi identity, language, and control over Mumbai’s future.
Raj Thackeray’s Blunt Warning to Hindi Speakers
The most explosive moment came when Raj Thackeray delivered a direct warning to people from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, reigniting the contentious language issue that has defined his political brand. “People from UP and Bihar should understand that Hindi is not your language,” Raj declared to thunderous applause from the massive crowd gathered at Shivaji Park. He intensified his threat by stating, “I don’t hate the language… But if you try to impose it, I’ll kick you. They’re coming from all sides to Maharashtra and snatching away your share… If land and language are gone, you will be finished”.
Raj’s provocative statements extended beyond language to voting rights, as he instructed his supporters to prevent migrants from voting multiple times. “If anyone comes to vote again, throw them out,” he commanded, directing his party workers and booth‑level agents (BLAs) to remain vigilant from 6 AM on election day to monitor for fraudulent voting. The MNS chief framed the BMC election as the “last election for Marathi citizens,” warning that failure to unite now would result in losing Mumbai forever. “Mumbai was achieved after the sacrifices of many people and cannot be given up so easily. If a mistake is made this time, the battle for Mumbai will be lost forever,” he asserted.
Uddhav Thackeray’s Attack on BJP’s “Fake Hindutva”
Sharing the stage, Uddhav Thackeray launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party, calling its Hindutva and nationalism “fake” and “counterfeit.” He alleged that the BJP has transformed into a party that prioritizes corruption over national interest, questioning whether the ruling party wants to change Mumbai’s name back to ‘Bombay.’ Uddhav cited recent comments by Tamil Nadu BJP leader K. Annamalai to support his claim that BJP leaders harbor intentions to erase Maharashtra’s cultural identity.
Uddhav clarified that he and Raj Thackeray have joined hands only because a serious threat looms over Mumbai, positioning themselves as the only option to save the city. “We have buried our differences for the Marathi manoos, for Hindus and for Maharashtra,” Uddhav declared, emphasizing that their reunion was driven by concern for the state’s future rather than political compulsion. He accused the BJP of facilitating land acquisitions for corporate interests, particularly the Adani Group, and alleged a systematic effort to shift Mumbai’s control away from Maharashtra. Uddhav listed several projects and land parcels awarded to Adani, arguing that these moves threatened the city’s identity and local residents’ rights.
The Adani Factor and Corporate Takeover Allegations
Both Thackeray brothers focused extensively on what they described as a corporate takeover of Mumbai, with Raj Thackeray presenting data on the expansion of Adani projects across the city. They warned of a long‑term plan to displace local residents and transfer control to outside corporate interests, specifically targeting Gujarat‑based industrialists. Raj argued that outsiders are coming to Maharashtra from all sides and snatching away the rights of local people, warning the Marathi community that if they lose their land and language today, their existence will be completely wiped out.
Uddhav Thackeray reinforced these concerns by detailing specific instances where BJP‑led policies allegedly favored corporate land grabs at the expense of Marathi citizens. He questioned the party’s commitment to Maharashtra’s interests, suggesting that BJP’s development agenda masks an attempt to dilute Marathi identity and control. The brothers’ joint attack on corporate influence represents a significant shift in their campaign narrative, moving beyond traditional anti‑migrant rhetoric to encompass economic and cultural sovereignty.
Political Implications and Future Direction
This joint rally has indicated that the main contest in the upcoming elections may boil down to the issue of ‘Marathi identity’ versus ‘outsiders.’ While Raj Thackeray targeted migrants on the issues of language and employment, Uddhav Thackeray cornered the BJP on the issue of Hindutva and corporate influence. Various political analysts believe that this unity of the Thackeray brothers could write a new chapter in Maharashtra politics, especially after the results of the municipal elections.
The alliance represents a strategic move to consolidate the traditional Marathi vote bank, which has been divided between Shiv Sena factions and MNS in recent years. Sanjay Raut, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader, asserted the Thackeray family’s enduring power in Mumbai politics, claiming, “The Thackerays can never be wiped out. We can still shut down Mumbai in 10 minutes”. However, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis dismissed these claims as “empty threats,” questioning the Thackerays’ ability to influence voters after their 2024 assembly poll drubbing.
The Road Ahead
The Thackeray brothers have announced plans for three more joint rallies in Mumbai’s western suburbs, Kalyan, Dombivli, and Mira‑Bhayandar in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, with a possible rally in Nashik. Their campaign will focus on mobilizing Marathi voters, monitoring polling booths, and countering what they term the BJP’s “fake nationalism.” The Supreme Court’s decision on the Shiv Sena symbol dispute and the Election Commission’s handling of party registrations add another layer of complexity to this high‑stakes electoral battle.
As Mumbai prepares for its civic polls on January 15, the Thackeray brothers’ reunion has transformed the election from a routine municipal contest into a referendum on Marathi identity, language rights, and local control. Whether their alliance can translate emotional appeals into electoral victory remains to be seen, but their joint presence has undoubtedly intensified Maharashtra’s political landscape and set the stage for a fiercely contested battle for Mumbai’s soul.
