Banners urging Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray to unite were displayed outside Shiv Sena Bhavan in Mumbai. Subhash Talekar, President of the Mumbai Dabbawala Association, emphasised the need for unity to consolidate Marathi votes. (PICS/ASHISH RAJE)
Updated on : 18 February,2025 05:37 PM IST | Compiled by : Anisha Shrivastava
Talekar warned that political forces are working to reduce the Marathi population in Mumbai and weaken their cultural identity. He highlighted that Marathi families face discrimination in housing due to their dietary habits, with "outsiders" imposing restrictions.
He questioned whether non-Maharashtrians should dictate what Marathi people can eat or where they can live. Shiv Sena and MNS have historically championed Marathi rights but remain divided, weakening their electoral strength.
Talekar stressed that uniting for the upcoming BMC elections would prevent Marathi votes from being split. He accused rival political parties of using MNS to divert Marathi votes for their own gain.
A unified front between Uddhav and Raj Thackeray could counter these strategies and secure more Marathi representation. Talekar reminded that both leaders had reunited at Raj Thackeray’s son’s wedding, questioning why the same unity cannot extend to politics.
