Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday addressed his first press conference after the municipal corporation results at Shiv Sena Bhavan, alleging that the ruling alliance resorted to large-scale use of money, intimidation and irregularities in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections. While his party fell short of a majority in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, Thackeray asserted that the Shiv Sena remains strong on the ground despite the electoral setback.
Addressing the press conference, Thackeray began by apologising to party candidates he could not personally reach during the campaign and thanked voters who stood by Shiv Sena (UBT) in what he described as “extremely poor” election conditions. “There was dadagiri, intimidation and open use of money. Even then, my candidates fought bravely and with dignity,” he said.
Though the party failed to achieve the “magic number”, Thackeray maintained that the ruling side was kept under constant pressure throughout the campaign. “They tried, but they will never be able to finish Shiv Sena,” said the Thackeray.
Citing the massive turnout at the party’s rally at Shivaji Park, Thackeray raised pointed questions over the results. “When our sabhas were overflowing, how did empty chairs end up voting for them?” he asked.
He also questioned the source of the money allegedly used to influence the polls, linking it to the broader debate on black money.
Referring to the 2016 demonetisation drive announced by Narendra Modi, Thackeray asked whether the promise of curbing black money had truly been fulfilled. “The way money was used in this election forces us to ask that question again,” he said.
In a stinging political assessment, Thackeray said the Bharatiya Janata Party may appear dominant on paper but lacks strength on the roads. “They may have finished Shiv Sena on paper, but not on the roads,” he said.
Thanking the people of Mumbai, Thackeray admitted he had higher expectations from the city’s voters but said the party accepts the verdict with humility. He assured that Shiv Sena (UBT) corporators will now take the fight to the BMC, vowing to expose corruption and continue working for Mumbaikars.
“My mindset is not that we lost,” he said. “We fought hard, and we fought honestly.”
Clarifying his party’s position on the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, Thackeray said, “We supported each other in all wards. There was no question of MNS helping us or us helping them. They won in Dadar, which is a Shiv Sena stronghold.”
Concluding, Thackeray said that had Shiv Sena remained united, the BJP would never have had a chance of winning the BMC, underlining that the political battle for Mumbai is far from over.
