
Mumbai: Raj Thackeray Criticizes BJP’s Inconsistencies and Political Alliances at MNS Rally
Mumbai, 31st January 2025: On Thursday, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray launched a sharp critique of the BJP, targeting its political alliances, inconsistencies, and casting doubt on the legitimacy of the Maharashtra Assembly election results.
In his speech at an MNS rally in Mumbai, Thackeray criticized the BJP’s contradictory stance on corruption, accusing the party of failing to follow through on its own allegations. “The BJP promised to imprison those involved in corruption, yet instead of acting on these allegations, they inducted these same leaders into their cabinet,” Thackeray said, referring indirectly to Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.
Pawar, who faced corruption allegations in the water irrigation scam, joined the Eknath Shinde-led government in 2023 and became Deputy Chief Minister, a move Thackeray highlighted as inconsistent with BJP’s previous stance.
Thackeray continued, “The BJP made serious accusations against leaders like Hemant Biswa Sharma, Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, Ajit Pawar, Harshvardhan Patil, Narayan Rane, and Ashok Chavan. However, not only did the BJP bring these leaders into their fold, but they also appointed them ministers, with some even becoming Deputy Chief Minister. Prime Minister Modi himself accused Ajit Pawar of corruption, only to later embrace him.”
The MNS leader also took aim at Devendra Fadnavis, accusing him of hypocrisy. “Fadnavis and Kirit Somaiya had accused several people, but today, those very individuals are part of his Cabinet,” Thackeray remarked.
In response, BJP minister Ashish Shelar accused Thackeray of spreading false information, asserting that the BJP does not engage in “politics of negotiations and adjustments.”
Thackeray also expressed doubts about the election results, specifically questioning how the Ajit Pawar-led NCP secured 41 seats when expectations had been much lower, with predictions of just four to five seats. He pointed out that the NCP had won only one seat in the previous Lok Sabha elections.
Addressing the frequent criticism of his changing political stance, Thackeray responded, “People accuse me of changing my position, but do they truly understand what that means? Look at others who switch sides for personal gain. The current Cabinet is full of leaders who once belonged to Shiv Sena and Congress, yet they are not questioned, while I am criticized for changing my position.”