Mumbai (Maharashtra)

As the BJP-Shiv Sena sweep the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls, Maharashtra Navnirnman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Saturday said that those in power will "not let go of any opportunity" to harass the Marathi people.

He vowed to stand firm in support of the Marathi people.

"Truth be told, you don't really need me to tell you this. But still, I say--whether in the MMR region or across the state, those in power and their supporters will not let go of any opportunity to harass the Marathi people. Therefore, we must stand firmly behind our Marathi people. Elections will come and go, but we must never forget that our breath is Marathi," Raj Thackeray posted on X.

सस्नेह जय महाराष्ट्र,

सर्वप्रथम महाराष्ट्र नवनिर्माण सेना आणि शिवसेनेच्या निवडून आलेल्या सर्व नगरसेवकांचं मनापासून अभिनंदन. यावेळची निवडणूक ही सोपी नव्हती. अचाट धनशक्ती, सत्तेची शक्ती विरुद्ध शिवशक्ती अशी लढाई होती. पण अशा लढाईत सुद्धा दोन्ही पक्षाच्या कार्यकर्त्यांनी उत्तम…

— Raj Thackeray (@RajThackeray) January 17, 2026

He applauded the winning candidates of MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT) in the civic body elections and stated that the contest among parties was indeed a tough battle of unyielding financial power.

"First and foremost, heartfelt congratulations to all the elected corporators from Maharashtra Navnirman Sena and Shiv Sena. This election was not an easy one. It was a battle of unyielding financial power and the might of authority against Shivshakti. Yet, even in such a contest, the workers from both sides put up an excellent fight. Their praise cannot be enough," Raj Thackeray posted on X.

Thackeray further stated that, even though the opposition won, MNS party workers are not the ones to be discouraged. He said that the MNS will keep a check on the elected corporators to ensure that the Marathi community is served with justice at all times.

"Though Maharashtra Navnirman Sena did not achieve the expected success this time, and that brings sorrow, we are not the ones to get disheartened by it. Our elected corporators will more than hold their own against the ruling powers wherever they are. And if anything seems to go against the Marathi people, they will certainly bring those in power to task," he wrote on X.

"Our fight is for the Marathi people, the Marathi language, Marathi identity, and for a prosperous Maharashtra. This fight is our very existence. You all know well that such battles are long-term," he added.

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The MNS chief said that the party will analyse and take action on the shortcomings that led to the loss. There will be discussions on what went wrong, what was left undone, where we fell short, and what needs to be done, he added.

A total of 29 Municipal Corporations in Maharashtra held polling on Thursday, where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Shiv Sena-led Mahayuti emerged victorious in most places.