Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Aug 16: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis launched a sharp political offensive against the Shiv Sena (UBT) on Saturday, declaring that a major transformation is inevitable in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), which has been under the Thackeray faction's control for over 25 years.

Speaking at the Parivartan Dahi Handi event at Worli’s Jamboree Ground — in the constituency of Shiv Sena-UBT leader Aaditya Thackeray — Fadnavis used the festival as a stage to project the BJP-led Mahayuti as fully prepared to seize control of Mumbai’s civic body in the upcoming elections.

“We have broken the pot of sin in the Municipal Corporation,” he said. “Now, the pot of development will be placed there. Whatever butter is in that pot will reach the common people.”

Though he avoided naming Shiv Sena (UBT) directly, his pointed remarks left little ambiguity. “You all know where the butter was going — and who ate it,” he told reporters, in a clear swipe at alleged corruption during the Thackeray-led rule in the BMC.

Undermining UBT-MNS Alliance Speculation

Fadnavis also brushed off speculation of a potential alliance between Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena-UBT and Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), asserting that Mahayuti’s strength and public backing would override any such political combinations.

He was joined by Mumbai BJP President Ashish Shelar, and both leaders sought to amplify Mahayuti’s message of accountability, change, and cultural revival.

Cultural Freedom Restored, Says CM

Taking another dig at the Thackeray regime, Fadnavis recalled restrictions previously imposed on Dahi Handi and Ganesh Utsav during the pandemic, stating that the Mahayuti government had removed those curbs, allowing full-fledged celebrations to resume.

“Now there’s immense enthusiasm. The rain may fall, but it can’t dampen the spirit of our Govindas,” he added.

Strategic Outreach Ahead of Civic Polls

In a show of grassroots connect ahead of critical civic polls in Mumbai, Thane, and Bhiwandi, Fadnavis is scheduled to visit 14 Dahi Handi events throughout the day. His deputy, CM Eknath Shinde, is set to attend over 20 such events across the region.

With the BMC elections looming, the Mahayuti alliance — comprising the BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction — has signaled an aggressive outreach strategy to end the Shiv Sena-UBT’s decades-long hold over Mumbai’s civic affairs.

Top Mahayuti leaders, including Fadnavis, Shinde, and Ajit Pawar, have collectively stated that political change in the BMC is no longer a question of ‘if’, but ‘when’.