12 January,2026 09:20 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
MNS chief Raj Thackeray addresses a rally in Thane on Monday. PIC/X
In a high-decibel joint rally in Thane on Monday with his cousin, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray launched a sharp attack on the BJP and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, while alleging widespread attempts to buy votes ahead of the upcoming civic polls.
The MNS chief claimed that money was being openly distributed to influence candidates.
"Three members of one family were offered Rs 15 crore collectively, but they refused to switch sides. Two of our other candidates, Rajshree Naik and Susheel Awte, were offered Rs 5 crore and Rs 1 crore, but they too turned the money down. Many more have been offered money - where is this coming from?" he questioned. "I have never seen an election like this, where money is being distributed so openly without any action. There's no use going to court or police."
Thackeray also took aim at BJP leader K Annamalai over his remark that "Bombay is not a Maharashtra city", questioning Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for trying to clarify the comment.
Further, he raised questions on industrialist Gautam Adani's growing influence and said, "Should I not say anything against Adani because he visited my home once? He came two-three years ago. When Mumbai is in danger, I will not see friendship. And I am not interested in being friends with Adani."
Warning about Adani's alleged growing influence over infrastructure, Thackeray said, "We don't have a fight against Gujaratis. We are saying don't get into our fight. If we leave Navi Mumbai Airport, all other airports were taken over by Adani on gunpoint. Same with the ports - he only created the Mundra Port in Gujarat. With (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi's name and the Centre's support, he kept expanding across the country. If the port closes, your business shuts down. If he suspends power supply, you will be in darkness. Your future will be decided by one man. How did one man rise in 11 years when Tata, Birla took five decades?"
Sanjay Raut, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament (MP), also addressed the rally, stating that the ruling alliance of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had not recovered from the impact of Sunday's joint rally by the Thackeray cousins in Shivaji Park.
He also questioned Fadnavis's choice to address voters in Hindi in Vasai-Virar, asserting that the fight was for Maharashtra's identity and the Marathi language.
Thackeray and Raut jointly appealed to local leaders to focus on tackling corruption, with the Rajya Sabha MP stating, "(Maharashtra Minister) Ganesh Naik has launched a fight against Eknath Shinde. We appeal to him to fight against corruption in Navi Mumbai while Raj and Uddhav Thackeray will tackle the corrupt front in Mumbai and Thane."
"This is Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's land; there is no place for traitors here. How long will Raj and Uddhav Thackeray be together, they ask? Till we bury your politics to the ground; we will be together till the end," stated Raut.
The rally drew a massive crowd in Thane, which will vote for the civic body on Thursday, January 15, along with 28 other municipal corporations in Maharashtra.
