Daijiworld Media Network - Thane

Thane, Jan 12: As the Maharashtra Municipal Corporation elections intensify, MNS chief Raj Thackeray on Monday accused the ruling MahaYuti alliance of attempting to manipulate the electoral process through cash incentives. Speaking at a joint rally with Uddhav Thackeray in Thane, Raj claimed that opposition candidates were being pressured to withdraw from the race with offers ranging from Rs 1 crore to Rs 15 crore. He cited a case where three candidates from a single family were collectively offered Rs 15 crore, which they refused, and alleged that other individuals were offered substantial sums, including Rs 5 crore and Rs 1 crore, to step aside.

Highlighting his observations from Kalyan-Dombivli, Raj Thackeray criticised the government’s approach to elections, describing the contest as a "market of slaves" where money is distributed to secure votes instead of promoting genuine development. He mocked the internal frictions within the Mahayuti alliance, noting that while BJP workers were distributing cash, Eknath Shinde’s Sena cadre were reportedly intercepting it, leaving voters confused about the administration's intentions.

Raj also targeted chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, accusing him of acting on behalf of influential industrialists and protecting leaders like BJP’s K.Annamalai. He played a video at the rally to challenge Fadnavis over remarks that allegedly denied Mumbai’s link to Maharashtra, claiming the statement threatened the state’s Marathi identity. While emphasising that his objection is not directed at any community, Raj Thackeray insisted his opposition is against the "conspiracies" undermining Maharashtra.