Uddhav faction MP’s ‘10-minute Mumbai shutdown’ claim sparks Fadnavis response

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Tuesday claimed that the Thackeray family still has.

The ability to bring Mumbai to a standstill within minutes, underlining the enduring political influence of one of Maharashtra’s most prominent dynasties despite recent electoral setbacks. Reacting to the remark an hour later at the same event, Maharashtra Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis dismissed Raut’s statement as an “empty threat.”

“They had said they would not allow Eknath Shinde to enter Mumbai. But he came with 50 MLAs, went to Raj Bhavan and formed the government,” Fadnavis said. “When Bal Thackeray was alive, such a shutdown could happen. These people cannot do it anymore.”

Raut’s comments came in the backdrop of the reunion of Thackeray cousins Uddhav and Raj Thackeray after a 20-year rift, ahead of the high-stakes Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections in 2026. Calling the reunion a family matter, Raut said, “Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray are brothers. Their mothers are sisters. I am a friend to both sides. If I had any role in bringing them together, I consider myself fortunate.”

Addressing ideological differences between the two leaders, Raut cited past political precedents, including the Shiv Sena’s alliance with the Congress despite differing views on Hindutva and secularism. He said political compromise was essential in the larger national interest.

“Their ideologies may differ, but they have united by keeping the nation first,” he said, adding that Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena would need to make certain adjustments for the alliance to work. “Politics of enmity will break the country,” he warned.

Raut described the Thackerays as central to Maharashtra’s political identity, saying, “The Thackeray brothers are a brand. If the Thackerays survive, the Marathi manoos will survive.” Looking ahead to the BMC polls, he asserted that the mayoralty would remain with the Thackeray-led parties. “Raj and Uddhav are not different. We are one. The mayor will be ours,” he said.

The senior Sena (UBT) leader also ruled out any future alliance with Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, stating that the Thackeray faction would never work with him again following the split that led to Shinde taking control of the Shiv Sena.