Overview
- In their first joint Mumbai rally in about 20 years at Shivaji Park, Uddhav and Raj Thackeray urged Marathi voters to unite, calling the BMC contest the “last election” for safeguarding Mumbai’s identity.
- Both leaders alleged Mumbai and Maharashtra assets were being handed to the Adani Group, tying projects like the Mumbai–Ahmedabad bullet train and the proposed Vadhavan port to a shift toward Gujarat influence.
- Uddhav Thackeray accused the BJP of large-scale corruption, citing Rs 3 lakh crore in alleged BMC irregularities and claiming 50–60% of cement procurement went to Adani-linked companies.
- Raj Thackeray sharpened linguistic rhetoric by warning against Hindi imposition and reviving the “Hatao lungi, bajao pungi” slogan while mocking K. Annamalai as “rasmalai,” drawing criticism for targeting South Indians.
- K. Annamalai responded that he will visit Mumbai despite threats and said calling the city an “international” hub did not diminish its Marathi legacy, as the Thackeray camp pressed cadres for strict polling‑day vigilance over EVMs and alleged double voting; polling is Jan 15 and counting Jan 16.