Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday questioned the Thackeray cousins’ “threat to Mumbai and Marathi” narrative. Fadnavis was addressing a rally at Dadar’s Shivaji Park for Mumbai’sBrihanmumbai Municipal
Corporation (BMC) elections with deputy chief minister and Shiv Sena-Shinde group chief Eknath Shinde.
“Someone yesterday made allegations from this very spot, saying that if Mahayuti comes to power, it will separate Mumbai from Maharashtra. To them, I want to say only this: no matter whose father comes to power, no one can sever Mumbai from Maharashtra. For so many years, they held power in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, yet they only broke chairs; it is because of them that the Marathi man has fallen behind — this is the stark reality. This election is not about the existence of Mumbaikars or the Marathi man, but about the existence of the opposition that has risen against the very roots of the Marathi man,” said Fadnavis.
“I want to say this again that you are not the entire Maharashtra. You are not the only Marathi here. I want to reiterate that only Marathi person will be at the helm of affairs in BMC. Only a Marathi will lead [the civic body],” Fadnavis said.
मुंबईतील महाविजयाचा महासंकल्प, विकसित आणि सुरक्षित मुंबईची ग्वाही
बृहन्मुंबई महानगरपालिका निवडणूक प्रचारार्थ छत्रपती शिवाजी महाराज पार्क, दादर येथे ‘महायुती महासभेत’ उपस्थित जनसमुदायाशी संवाद साधला.
मुंबईकरांना खोटंनाटं सांगून भरकटवण्याचा प्रयत्न करणाऱ्यांच्या खोट्या… https://t.co/X9r8eBWEjD pic.twitter.com/XEzO9lyqPJ
— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) January 12, 2026
The remarks come a day after a joint rally by Shiv Sena UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray at Shivaji Park.
“The rank of Indian economy has improved from 11th to third. There are hundreds of corporate houses that have expanded, including the Adani Group, which recorded 680 per cent growth. There are others whose growth is at 1,100 per cent,” the CM said.
Fadnavissaid the permission for the Navi Mumbai Airport and Dharavi Redevelopment to facilitate Adani Group was given during the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) regime led by then chief minister Uddhav Thackeray.
“We are living in an age where growth and investment are essential to fast track development and generate employment. We have to address the concerns and aspirations of the youths by providing them jobs. Those who are questioning have nothing to worry. They can afford to give speeches,” the CM added.
“After the Mahayuti government came to power in Maharashtra, in five years, we built an airport in Navi Mumbai, and now we are also preparing to build a third airport. Likewise, we will expand the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai by one-and-a-half times….Even Uddhav Thackeray built Matoshree 2, while Raj Thackeray moved from Krushnakunj to Shivthirth for space…But when we bring investments in Mumbai and Maharashtra to empower Marathi Manoos, they are raising questions…Tujhko mirchi lagi toh main kya karun?”
5 वर्षांत नवं विमानतळ करून दाखवलं, मिर्ची लगी तो मैं क्या करूं!
(महायुती महासभा | दादर, मुंबई | 12-1-2026)#BMCElection #BrihanmumbaiMunicipalCorporation #BMC #Mumbai #बृहन्मुंबई_महानगरपालिका pic.twitter.com/Cewvu6ZJfi
— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) January 12, 2026
Rubbishing Thackerays’ charge that the BJP was imposing Hindi in Maharashtra, Fadnavis said, “It was during Thackeray’s tenure as CM that the committee had approved English and Hindi mandatory from Class 1. They are now bringing up a false narrative to mislead the people.”
Fadnavis also played old videos showing Uddhav and Raj making attacks against each other in the past. “It is strange some people evoke the same campaign threat to Mumbai when elections come. But once polls are done, they forget Mumbai and Mumbaikars… Unfortunately, Uddhav Thackeray has compromised the Hindutva legacy of Bal Thackeray,” the CM said.
Deputy CM Eknath Shinde said, “They remember Marathi Manoos only when elections come. Rest of the years their focus is self-development. We are going ahead with development agenda. We don’t respond to allegations and instead let our work speak. It was Balasaheb Thackeray’s dream to see Mumbai develop. We are taking his dream seriously and fulfilling it.”
