Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray on Sunday said the upcoming Mumbai`s BMC elections might prove to be the last one for Marathi manoos if they don`t remain alert, reported news agency PTI.
Addressing the inauguration of the MNS Konkan Mahotsav in Mumbai, Thackeray appealed to the party workers to remain vigilant.
“Do not let your guard down, otherwise the loss is imminent. The upcoming BMC elections will be the last for the Marathi manoos if you don`t remain vigilant. And the consequences would be uncontrollable”, the MNS chief said in a brief message, reported PTI.
Raj Thackeray had raised discrepancies in the voters` list and joined a united march taken out by the Opposition recently.
Congress divided over tie-up with MNS for civic polls; `politics of convenience`, says BJP
Meanwhile, the Congress in Maharashtra appeared divided on allying with the MNS in the upcoming local body polls, with the grand old party`s senior leader Vijay Wadettiwar favouring a united contest, while MP Varsha Gaikwad said it was firm on not aligning with the Raj Thackeray-led party in Mumbai, reported PTI.
Maharashtra Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal said the party`s Mumbai unit will decide whom to ally with at the local level for municipal corporation polls.
The ruling BJP, however, attacked the Congress over the possible tie-up with the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), and said it was changing its stand as per its own convenience, reported PTI.
Talking to reporters on Saturday, Wadettiwar referred to NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar`s statement underlining the importance of Opposition unity for defeating the BJP.
“Ultimately, ideology matters. We are positive towards a united fight, including with the MNS. Everyone must come together to defeat the BJP,” the Congress Legislature Party leader said, reported PTI.
He referred to the MNS` participation in the `Satyacha Morcha` organised by the opposition MVA in Mumbai earlier this month against the alleged discrepancies in the voters` list.
He, however, suggested that the Congress wouldn`t compromise on its ideology for forging alliances.
Wadettiwar`s open support for MNS flies in the face of the Mumbai Congress unit, which had announced to go solo in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls.
Reacting to Wadettiwar`s remarks, Mumbai Congress chief Varsha Gaikwad said he spoke about alliances at the state level, while the party`s Mumbai unit has already made its stand clear that it will not align with the MNS for the BMC elections, reported PTI.
She had earlier said that the Congress will never tie-up with those people who take the law into their hands and intimidate others.
Elections to the 246 municipal councils and 42 nagar panchayats in the state will be held on December 2, while the civic corporation polls are expected to take place in January 2026.
(With inputs from PTI)
