Future of Mumbai at crossroads, struggle for Marathi Manoos will continue: Shiv Sena (UBT) in Saamana

Mumbai: The Shiv Sena (UBT) on Saturday said that the future of Maharashtra’s capital Mumbai and the identity of the Marathi Manoos stand at a critical juncture following what it termed as chaotic and controversial results of elections to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and 28 other civic bodies.

In a strongly worded editorial in the party mouthpiece Saamana, the Thackeray camp alleged large-scale electoral irregularities, including EVM manipulation, voter bribery and bogus voting, as counting stretched late into the night. It posed a pointed question: who will now protect the interests of the Marathi Manoos in Mumbai?

The editorial said the electoral setbacks suffered by the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) were not merely political losses but amounted to a betrayal of Mumbai’s heritage. Those responsible for weakening regional forces, it claimed, had effectively “traded away” the legacy built on the sacrifices of the city’s martyrs.

Referring to the 106 martyrs of the Samyukta Maharashtra movement, the editorial said they would not merely mourn the present situation but would demand a renewed struggle to safeguard Mumbai’s soul. Despite “extremely adverse circumstances”, the Shiv Sena and MNS fought a close contest, it said, adding that the fight to protect Mumbai and Marathi identity is far from over.

The central concern highlighted was the alleged attempt to hand over Mumbai to corporate interests with the support of the BJP. Drawing a historical parallel, the editorial warned that the “saffron flag of Marathi pride” faces a challenge comparable to the Battle of Panipat.

“The eyes of the entire nation were on Mumbai. Through massive corruption, ink scams, EVM manipulation, money distribution and bogus or double voting, a corporate force with the backing of the BJP has attempted to seize control of Mumbai. Celebrations were started even before final results were declared, which itself reflects electoral fraud,” the editorial alleged, calling it a serious danger signal for Maharashtra and its people.

It further claimed that when power, money and even constitutional institutions such as the Election Commission act as “servants”, any political wave can be manufactured. However, it asserted that the resolve of regional forces remains unshaken.

The editorial accused the ruling dispensation of diluting the ideological legacy of Balasaheb Thackeray and alleged that enormous financial resources were used to “stab the Marathi people in the back”. It maintained that the battle to prevent the “encroachment” on Mumbai’s culture would continue despite adverse odds.

According to Saamana, a BJP wave was engineered across 26 municipal corporations, enabling “opportunistic political elements”, including the Eknath Shinde-led faction of the Shiv Sena, to gain power. The editorial claimed that the absence of ideology and principles among such groups could render future elections meaningless.

It further alleged that hundreds of voters were deprived of their voting rights while the Election Commission remained inactive. The editorial also accused polling officials of allegedly using “BJP apps” to assist voters and aid the ruling party at polling booths.

“If such complaints are ignored, then instead of elections, representatives should simply be appointed and sent to the corridors of power,” it said.

The editorial alleged that the BJP harbours an “anti-Maharashtra agenda” aimed at installing an “industry-friendly” mayor in Mumbai, which it said insults the Marathi identity. It claimed this was attempted with the help of the Shinde faction, calling it a betrayal that would be recorded in the darkest chapters of Maharashtra’s political history.

“The Mumbai won through the sacrifice of 106 martyrs is on the verge of being snatched away, but we will not allow that to happen,” the editorial said, adding that the “corrupt arrogance” of the BJP would eventually engulf Mumbai and later Vidarbha as well.

As the municipal election dust settles, the editorial concluded by raising a fundamental question: “Will the identity of the Marathi Manoos survive?”

IANS