Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during a rally in Mulund, accusing them of “poisoning society” and urging his supporters to counter the BJP’s ‘Jai Shri Ram’ slogan with ‘Jai Shivaji’ and ‘Jai Bhavani’. Addressing party workers, Thackeray drew stark parallels between the BJP-led regime and Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Germany, alleging the ruling party employs tactics of rumor-mongering and divisiveness akin to the dictator’s playbook.

Thackeray’s remarks come amid escalating tensions with the BJP, his former ally turned rival. He challenged their nationalist credentials, pointing to their softened stance on sporting ties with Pakistan and Bangladesh despite past opposition. Responding to Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis’s taunt—“I am not Uddhav Thackeray to stay ongoing projects”—Thackeray hit back, claiming credit for initiating the coastal road and halting the Metro-3 car shed at Aarey, which he alleges is now being handed to the Adani group. He dared Fadnavis to emulate his tenure by waiving farmers’ loans and boosting funds for schemes like Shiv Bhojan ahead of the March 10 budget.

The Sena (UBT) leader also highlighted his party’s inclusive legacy, noting Muslim support during the COVID-19 crisis and citing balladeer Amar Shaikh, a Muslim who fought for Maharashtra’s unification. Thackeray’s speech follows the Maha Vikas Aghadi’s (MVA) drubbing in the 2024 assembly polls, where the BJP-led Mahayuti coalition won 230 of 288 seats, reducing MVA to 46 despite a strong Lok Sabha showing. With civic polls looming, including the critical Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation election, Thackeray stressed unity, urging supporters to back party nominees. His fiery rhetoric signals a combative stance against the BJP. He is framing the Sena (UBT) as a defender of Maharashtra’s pride against a “toxic” adversary.