Daijiworld Media Network- Mumbai

Mumbai, Jan 31: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, who had campaigned for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during last year’s Lok Sabha elections, has now joined the opposition in expressing doubts over the Maharashtra Assembly poll results and the credibility of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). He claimed that even leaders from the ruling Mahayuti alliance were surprised by some of the outcomes.

Addressing party workers at the National Sports Club of India, Thackeray also responded to allegations of frequently shifting political allegiances, pointing out that the BJP had inducted leaders into the state cabinet whom it had previously accused of corruption.

Speaking publicly for the first time since the Maharashtra Assembly election results, in which the MNS failed to secure a single seat, Thackeray revealed that he had remained silent until now to analyze the election outcome.

"On the day of the results, there was an unusual silence across Maharashtra. The kind of celebrations that should have happened did not take place. I even met an RSS worker who asked me, ‘Itna sannata kyu hai bhai?’ (Why is there so much silence?). What did that silence indicate?" he said.

Thackeray raised concerns about the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) securing a significantly higher number of seats compared to the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP).
"The NCP (SP) won eight seats in the parliamentary elections but only managed 10 in the assembly polls. Meanwhile, the Ajit Pawar-led NCP won just one Lok Sabha seat but bagged 42 assembly seats. How is that possible?" he questioned.

He also cited an example from his own party, pointing out that MNS candidate Raju Patil, who contested from Kalyan Rural, did not receive a single vote from his own village, despite always having voter support there.
Responding to allegations that he frequently changes his political stance, Thackeray hit back at other parties.

"Look at how others have switched sides for their own benefit. The current state cabinet is filled with leaders who were once with Shiv Sena and Congress. But no one questions them. Instead, you always hear that Raj Thackeray keeps changing his stance," he said.

He also targeted the BJP, recalling how Prime Minister Narendra Modi had once accused leaders of corruption but later formed alliances with them.

"Modi had promised to put those involved in a ?70,000 crore scam behind bars. But where did they end up? In the cabinet," he remarked, referring to the alleged Maharashtra irrigation scam involving Ajit Pawar. Despite being targeted by the BJP earlier, Pawar later joined the Mahayuti government and was appointed Deputy Chief Minister.

Thackeray also named several other leaders, including Himanta Biswa Sarma, Mukul Roy, Ashok Chavan, Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, Narayan Rane, Ganesh Naik, Padamsinh Patil, and B S Yediyurappa, who were accused of corruption but later inducted into BJP-led governments.

Thackeray hinted at significant changes within the MNS, announcing that a new code of conduct would soon be introduced to instill discipline. He also mentioned that the party structure and new leadership positions would be finalized by February.

Despite the MNS’s electoral setback, Thackeray remained defiant, stating that he would continue working for Marathi people and Hindus in the future.

Reacting to Thackeray’s remarks, Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar dismissed them as an attempt to mislead people.

"This is just an effort to create a false narrative, but people will not be fooled. Thackeray’s statements are based on incorrect information. The BJP has never indulged in political compromises; our party follows a nation-first approach," Shelar asserted.

Meanwhile, NCP’s chief spokesperson Anand Paranjpe criticized Thackeray’s shifting political stance.

"Raj Thackeray is an important leader in Maharashtra, but people have witnessed his constant changes in position. In 2019, he campaigned for the Congress-NCP alliance against Modi. But in 2024, he supported BJP to ensure Modi’s re-election," Paranjpe said.

He further stated that while NCP under Ajit Pawar had actively engaged with the public after its Lok Sabha election setback, the MNS remained directionless, frequently changing its stance.