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Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the BJP following his party’s defeat in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, accusing the ruling party of winning through “betrayal” and warning that the “Marathi manoos will not forgive” attempts to undermine Mumbai’s future.

 

Addressing party workers in Mumbai in his first public remarks after the civic poll verdict, Thackeray said the BJP had failed to uproot the Shiv Sena at the grassroots despite deploying “money, pressure, agencies and every possible tactic”. He claimed the election outcome reflected betrayal rather than public mandate.

 

“BJP wants to mortgage Mumbai and has won these polls by betrayal. The Marathi manoos will not forgive this sin,” Thackeray said, asserting that loyalty could not be bought. “Shiv Sena may have been targeted on paper, but no one can erase it from the hearts of the people,” he added.

 

Reiterating his party’s resolve to return to power in the country’s richest civic body, Thackeray said, “It is our dream to have a Shiv Sena (UBT) mayor. If God wills, it will happen.” He said the responsibility on party workers had increased after the setback and urged them to strengthen the organisation at the grassroots.

 

Also read: Resort politics returns in BMC, Shinde Sena MLAs sequestered

 

Earlier in the day, Shiv Sena (UBT) issued its first reaction to the results on social media, stating: “This battle is not over yet. It will continue until the Marathi person gets the respect they deserve.”

 

The BMC elections marked the end of nearly three decades of Thackeray family dominance over Mumbai’s civic body. The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance, which includes the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, crossed the majority mark of 114 seats in the 227-member House. The BJP emerged as the single largest party with 89 seats, while the Shinde faction secured 29, giving the alliance control of the civic body.

 

The Shiv Sena (UBT)-Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) alliance won a combined 71 seats, with Uddhav Thackeray’s party securing 65 and Raj Thackeray’s MNS six. Despite the defeat, the combine retained influence in south and central Mumbai, considered the Marathi heartland, winning most wards in these areas.

 

However, the alliance failed to make major inroads in suburban belts such as Thane, Navi Mumbai, Mulund and Ghatkopar, where the Mahayuti registered sweeping victories, consolidating its grip on Mumbai’s civic administration.