Raj Thackeray Calls Civic Polls a Test of “Shivshakti,” Signals Long Battle Ahead for Marathi Identity

Mumbai: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray struck a defiant and combative tone after the municipal election results, portraying the civic polls as a clash between grassroots power and entrenched political machinery. Addressing party workers and newly elected representatives, Thackeray framed the contest as a fight where ideological commitment stood against money power and the influence of those in authority.

Congratulating corporators elected from both the MNS and the Shiv Sena, Thackeray said the outcome should be viewed not merely through the lens of seat counts but as a reflection of resistance. According to him, the election exposed how difficult it has become for parties rooted in regional pride to compete against well-funded and administratively powerful rivals.

While openly admitting that the MNS did not meet its own electoral expectations, Thackeray made it clear that setbacks would not dilute the party’s resolve. He asserted that MNS corporators who have made it to civic bodies will act as aggressive watchdogs at the local level, particularly on issues affecting Marathi residents. Any perceived injustice toward the Marathi community, he warned, would be met with strong political opposition on the ground.

Reiterating the ideological foundation of the MNS, Thackeray stressed that the party’s existence revolves around the Marathi language, cultural pride, and the rights of the Marathi manoos. He described this struggle as a long-term political mission rather than a single-election sprint, signalling that the party is preparing for sustained engagement rather than short-term gains.

Thackeray also hinted at internal review and course correction, stating that the party leadership would closely examine where opportunities were missed and how organisational weaknesses could be addressed. At the same time, he issued a cautionary note, suggesting that ruling parties and their allies could intensify political and administrative pressure on Marathi interests, particularly in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

Concluding his message, Thackeray called on party workers to brace for a renewed organisational push, emphasising that electoral losses would not silence the broader movement. His remarks made it clear that, for the MNS, the civic polls are less an endpoint and more a reminder that the battle for regional identity and political relevance is far from over.