Overview
- At a rare joint rally at Shivaji Park, Uddhav and Raj Thackeray urged Marathi voters to unite and described the BMC race as the “last election” to protect Mumbai’s land and identity.
- Both leaders alleged the BJP is favouring the Adani Group and trying to align Mumbai with Gujarat, with Uddhav claiming large-scale BMC corruption and heavy Adani-linked cement procurement.
- Raj escalated regional rhetoric by warning migrants from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar against Hindi “imposition,” reviving the “Hatao lungi, bajao pungi” slogan and mocking K. Annamalai as “rasmalai.”
- Annamalai responded from Chennai, saying he received threats and daring opponents to stop him from campaigning in Mumbai, while rejecting claims that he slighted Maharashtra’s stake in the city.
- Raj told cadres to vigilantly monitor EVMs and alleged double voting on polling day, as the State Election Commission fixed voting for January 15 and counting for January 16, and the ruling Mahayuti released its BMC manifesto.