Mumbai politics heated up on Sunday after Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut claimed that the Thackeray family still has the power to bring Mumbai to a standstill within minutes. Speaking at NDTV Power Play, Raut asserted that despite electoral setbacks, the political influence of the Thackerays remains deeply rooted in Maharashtra.
“The Thackerays can never be wiped out. We can still shut down Mumbai in 10 minutes,” Raut said, underlining what he described as the enduring strength of the Thackeray brand in the state’s political landscape.
However, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was quick to dismiss the remark, calling it an “empty threat.” Speaking at the same platform shortly after, the BJP leader said such shutdowns were possible only during the era of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray. “When Balasaheb Thackeray was alive, it could happen. But these people can’t do it anymore,” Fadnavis said, recalling how similar threats failed during the political upheaval that led to Eknath Shinde forming the government.
Raut’s comments came in the backdrop of a significant political development, the reunion of cousins Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray after nearly two decades. The rapprochement comes ahead of the high-stakes Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections in 2026, widely seen as a prestige battle for Mumbai’s control.
Calling the reunion a family matter, Raut said the cousins had set aside differences for a larger cause. He acknowledged ideological contrasts but argued that compromise was necessary, citing past alliances where Shiv Sena partnered with ideologically different parties. “Ideologies may differ, but the nation comes first,” he said.
Raut also hinted that Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena may need to compromise on certain issues for the alliance to work, warning that politics driven by enmity could harm the country. Confident about the BMC polls, he claimed that Mumbai would once again get a mayor from the Thackeray-led alliance.
At the same time, Raut ruled out any future partnership with Eknath Shinde, asserting that the Uddhav Thackeray faction would never reunite with him, keeping Maharashtra’s political battle lines firmly drawn.
