“Marketplace Of Slaves”: Raj Thackeray Slams Maharashtra Politics Amid Mayor Suspense

MUMBAI — In a stinging critique of the current political climate, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray described the state’s politics as a “marketplace of slaves” on Friday, January 23, 2026. Speaking at the Shanmukhanand Hall during an event to mark the beginning of Bal Thackeray’s birth centenary, Raj expressed disgust over the “horse-trading” and shifting loyalties following the recent civic body elections.

The remarks were particularly pointed given the ongoing high-stakes battle for the Mumbai Mayorship, where the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance is set to claim the “First Citizen” post after crossing the majority mark of 114.

1. The Kalyan-Dombivli “Disgust”

The primary trigger for Raj’s outburst was the situation in the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC).

• The Conflict: Despite allying with Uddhav Thackeray for the BMC polls just weeks ago, the local MNS unit in Kalyan recently extended support to Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena.
• The Motivation: Reports suggest this move was a “survival tactic” to prevent MNS corporators from defecting to Shinde’s camp entirely.
• Raj’s Stance: Raj called the horse-trading in KDMC “disgusting” but clarified that in politics, “sometimes one has to be flexible.” He confirmed he had discussed the friction with Uddhav Thackeray and Sanjay Raut to clear the air.

2. A Historic Stage: The Thackeray Reunion

The event marked a rare and symbolic appearance of the Thackeray cousins on the same platform.

• The Anniversary: 2026 marks the 100th birth anniversary of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray. Saamana hailed the joint tribute by the cousins as the “best birthday gift” for the late patriarch.
• Letting Go of the Past: Addressing his split from the original Sena 20 years ago, Raj said, “I think Uddhav learned, too. Let’s leave that all behind.”
• The “Shiv Shakti” Alliance: Despite winning only 71 seats combined (UBT: 65, MNS: 6) in the BMC polls and failing to stop the Mahayuti, both leaders vowed to continue their long-term fight for ‘Marathi Manoos’ identity.

3. Mumbai Mayor Update: Women’s Reservation

The suspense over the Mumbai mayor’s post reached a new phase on Thursday:

• The Lottery: The Maharashtra Urban Development Department announced that the post of Mumbai Mayor is now reserved for a woman from the Open Category for the next 2.5 years.
• The Contenders: With the BJP emerging as the single largest party (89 seats), Sheetal Gambhir Desai has emerged as a frontrunner for the post.
• The Timeline: The official mayoral election in the BMC House is expected to take place on January 28, 2026.

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