Mumbai: Amid a political war of words over Chhath Puja celebrations in Maharashtra, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In a detailed post shared on the social media platform X, he alleged that the BJP and its supporting social media ecosystem were attempting to create tensions in Mumbai and across Maharashtra in the name of Chhath Puja as part of a well-planned conspiracy.
Linking the controversy to the upcoming Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Raj Thackeray claimed that deliberate attempts had been made to provoke conflict in Maharashtra for political gain. However, he asserted that these efforts ultimately failed to produce the desired confrontation.
In his post, Raj Thackeray pointed out that provocative reels and videos, particularly those related to Chhath Puja, were being widely circulated on social media. He also referred to the playing of Bhojpuri songs over loudspeakers at several major railway stations in Mumbai, claiming that the MNS had intervened promptly to stop the practice. According to Thackeray, despite these allegedly coordinated activities, Maharashtra did not witness the confrontation that certain political forces had anticipated.
He accused the BJP of pursuing a “divide and rule” strategy, alleging that the party deliberately fuels tensions between communities and social groups to secure electoral advantages. Thackeray further claimed that the BJP typically attempts to exploit Hindu-Muslim tensions during Lok Sabha elections while encouraging caste-based and regional divisions during Assembly elections.
Referring to previous political controversies, Raj Thackeray alleged that the BJP had attempted to create divisions between the Gujarati and Marathi communities by exploiting the sensitive issue of pigeon houses during last year’s Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections.
He claimed that whenever the BJP finds it difficult to win elections based on its development record, it resorts to its familiar strategy of encouraging hostility between different sections of society. Thackeray also took a swipe at the Election Commission, suggesting that although political parties claim credit for their electoral victories, the Election Commission plays a decisive role in determining the outcomes.
Urging the Marathi community to remain vigilant and assertive, the MNS chief cautioned people against falling into what he described as the BJP’s political trap. Invoking the guerrilla warfare tactics of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Thackeray emphasized that Maharashtra should not enter a political confrontation on terms dictated by its opponents. He asserted that the Marathi people must decide for themselves when to respond, whom to confront, and what strategy to adopt, rather than allowing political rivals to determine the timing and nature of any confrontation.
Turning his attention to the state and central governments, Raj Thackeray accused them of transferring Maharashtra’s valuable resources to a select group of industrialists for private benefit. He alleged that the state’s fertile agricultural land, dense forests, and natural resources were being exploited indiscriminately, with the environmental damage occurring in the Sahyadri region serving as a prominent example.
Thackeray warned the Marathi community against remaining indifferent to developments that could threaten Maharashtra’s environmental wealth, cultural identity, and long-term interests. He emphasized that invoking the name and legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj would have little meaning unless people were prepared to stand firmly against injustice and protect the state’s interests.
Concluding his message, Raj Thackeray appealed to the North Indian and Gujarati communities to recognize what he described as a calculated political strategy aimed at creating divisions between them and the Marathi population. He urged these communities not to allow themselves to be used as political pawns by forces seeking to provoke hostility for electoral gains.
At the same time, the MNS chief issued a strong warning to those he believed were working against the interests of the Marathi community. He asserted that anyone attempting to challenge the community should remember that Maharashtra has a strong Marathi identity and a long history of resistance. Thackeray concluded by emphasizing that the peaceful and restrained nature of the Marathi community should never be mistaken for weakness or foolishness.
His remarks have added another dimension to the ongoing political debate over regional identity, cultural celebrations, and electoral strategies in Maharashtra.
