Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Sunday launched a blistering attack on the BJP-led Union government, alleging that industrialist Gautam Adani’s rapid rise since 2014 was driven by political patronage. Thackeray shared a video that elucidates his claims while speaking at the first joint rally of the Thackeray brothers at Shivaji Park, just three days before the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections.
“Before 2014, look at Adani’s footprint. After 2014, look at the scale. If this does not shock you, then we deserve what is coming,” Raj told the crowd, drawing loud applause. Using large LED screens in his trademark “laav re toh video” style, Raj presented maps and data tracing Adani’s expansion between 2014 and 2025. He alleged that successive infrastructure and business projects were systematically channelled to the Adani Group after the Narendra Modi government came to power, turning the country into what he described as “India Adani”.
Displaying maps of India, Maharashtra and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), the MNS Chief claimed the scale of Adani’s growth was unprecedented and closely aligned with political power. “In just one decade, one corporate group has been made one of the richest in the world. This is not accidental,” he said.
Raj Thackeray also accused the Centre of pursuing a long-term strategy to weaken Mumbai economically in favour of Gujarat. He alleged that projects such as the Vadhavan port and a proposed airport were aimed at diverting cargo, logistics and investment away from Mumbai.
“They want the land of Mumbai airport. This is not a coincidence, it is a plan,” he said, claiming that Palghar, Thane and Mumbai were being gradually integrated into a Gujarat-centric economic corridor. “If this does not shock you, then we deserve what is coming,” he repeated.
Turning his fire on the Bharatiya Janata Party, Raj accused it of political opportunism and moral collapse. He alleged that money power was being used to manipulate elections, pressure officials to engineer unopposed victories and field candidates facing serious criminal allegations.
“A drug peddler is being given a mayoral ticket and an accused in a sexual assault case is made a councillor. How do you even have the courage to do this?” he said, prompting loud cheers from the crowd.
In addition, the MNS Chief accused the BJP of hypocrisy, pointing out that the party had allied with the AIMIM in Akot and with the Congress in Ambernath, despite routinely attacking both. “There are no principles left, only convenience,” he said.
Raising concerns over the electoral process, Raj Thackeray alleged the presence of bogus voters and manipulation of electronic voting machines. He said both he and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray had opposed the imposition of Hindi, calling it a political attempt to dilute Marathi identity.
Mocking the BJP’s shifting alliances, Raj Thackeray said leaders once branded as corrupt were now being welcomed as partners. He also criticised remarks suggesting Mumbai should have a North Indian mayor, calling them an insult to Maharashtra. “Land and language are everything. Lose them, and you lose your existence,” he said, also attacking projects such as the bullet train, which he claimed ignored the interests of the Konkan region and local communities.
Calling the BMC election a decisive moment, Raj urged voters to unite to protect Mumbai’s identity. “Mumbai was built by the sacrifice of countless people. If we lose it through carelessness, history will never forgive us,” he said. Describing the civic polls as a “last battle to save Mumbai”, Raj warned of irreversible consequences if the alliance failed. “If you lose today, you will be wiped out,” he told the crowd, alleging a systematic attempt to weaken Mumbai and its Marathi character.
