19 March,2026 10:49 PM IST | Mumbai | Sanjeev Shivadekar
MNS chief while addressing a gathering at Shivaji Park on Gudi Padwa. (Pic/Ashish Raje)
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray came down heavily on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Centre, criticising the Indian government for not openly supporting Iran amid the ongoing conflict. Questioning India's stance, at his annual Gudi Padwa 2026 rally at Shivaji Park Ground, Mumbai, on Thursday, Thackeray asked why the country appears silent despite Iran being a long-standing ally, and suggested that such restraint does not reflect the historical ties and goodwill shared between the two nations.
Speaking at the rally, Thackeray said that Iran has supported India on crucial issues such as Jammu and Kashmir in the past, yet India has not stood firmly by Iran in its time of crisis.
"Not a single statement has come from the Prime Minister on the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran has also extended economic support by supplying oil through a rupee-based mechanism. This will certainly pose a problem for us in the future," he added.
Slamming the coastal road projects, he said, "While Marathi people are praising the coastal road, it is not meant for you. The road is for others to come in and Marathi people to go out."
"Loan waivers for farmers have been announced thrice until now. But the highest number of farmer suicides is being reported in Maharashtra," said the MNS chief.
He also stated that the Marathi people are losing their pride. "Once the situation goes out of control, it will be difficult to make a comeback," he warned.
According to Thackeray, when Prithviraj Chavan was the chief minister, Maharashtra had a debt of Rs 2 lakh crore.
"Now it is Rs 11 lakh crore," he said, slamming the state government.
Taking a dig at the administration for poor roads and infrastructure, Thackeray said that if one orders pizza, it reaches within 10 minutes, but when citizens step out, they cannot reach anywhere in the same time.
"Thousands of children, especially girls, are missing from Maharashtra and Mumbai. What kind of a state and city is it?" Thackeray said in a swipe at Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who heads the home department.
Thackeray claimed that keeping people engaged on mobile phones is part of a ploy to keep citizens busy.
"Mobile has become indispensable in human life. People are so involved that they are not aware of what's happening outside. They need to come out of Instagram," the MNS chief appealed.
Stating that MNS stands for Maharashtra, he is confident of coming to rule in the state. "One day, we will come to power. I am pretty sure about it," Thackeray added.
Twenty years after Thackeray founded MNS, the party's annual Gudi Padwa rally this year carries added political significance as it marks his first such address following an alliance with his cousin and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray.
After quitting the Shiv Sena in 2005, Thackeray floated his own party, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), on March 9, 2006. Ten days later, on March 19, 2006, he held the first rally at Shivaji Park.
MNS chief Raj Thackeray said that the late Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray was among the first leaders to mobilise people around the idea of Hindutva and instil a sense of pride in Marathi identity, making locals realise their collective strength. He also praised Nationalist Congress Party (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, noting that the sight of people selling fruits on roads today is a result of Pawar's policies and sustained push to support fruit farmers in the state.
Speaking about the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Thackeray claimed that of the six RSS chiefs, four were Marathi. "In fact, the organisation was founded by the Marathi only," he reflected.
Thackeray also announced the launch of a new website, inviting people to participate and share their ideas and vision for the state. He said the platform, titled âMaharashtra Next', will be open to all citizens to contribute suggestions and innovative thoughts aimed at shaping the future of Maharashtra.
"This will first go to the committee of experts. Once approved, it will go to the government. This is a bridge between the citizens and the government," added Thackeray.
