The political discourse between Maharashtra’s Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction, UBT) and the state unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) escalated sharply on Wednesday, following remarks by Mumbai BJP chief Ameet Satam on the election of Zohran Mamdani, a Muslim Indian-origin leader, as the mayor of New York City. The controversy has once again underscored the continuing interplay of identity politics and regional pride in Indian politics, even when it involves events on the international stage.

In a strongly worded response, Anand Dubey, a senior leader of the Shiv Sena (UBT), took aim at Satam, questioning his mental state and deriding the BJP chief’s comments as both illogical and unnecessary. Dubey went so far as to sarcastically propose that the Uddhav Sena would pay for Satam’s treatment at Agra’s Pagal Khana, a reference to a mental health institution in Uttar Pradesh. This statement was widely reported by national news agencies, including ANI, and immediately drew attention in political and social media circles.

“Ameet Satam’s mental state has deteriorated. From the day he became president, he realised he was about to be wiped out… That’s why he’s been making bizarre statements about the mayor of Mumbai from day one,” Dubey said.

Dubey’s remarks were directed squarely at Satam’s assertion that no “Khan” should be allowed to hold the office of mayor in Mumbai, reflecting a nationalist and regionalist stance rooted in the idea of safeguarding local political dominance. While the statement drew widespread criticism for its communal undertones, Dubey made it clear that his party’s stance is firmly aligned with regional pride, particularly the representation of Marathi Hindus in key positions of governance in Mumbai.

“I confidently say that saffron flag will be flown in the municipal elections, and a Marathi Hindu will become the mayor here,” Dubey said, asserting the Uddhav Sena’s commitment to promoting local leadership and protecting what it sees as the city’s cultural and political heritage.

Dubey’s comments were further sharpened by an attack on the BJP’s broader approach to minority communities. He referenced the party’s ‘Saugat-e-Modi’ initiative, a large-scale outreach program aimed at distributing kits and assistance to Muslim populations in Uttar Pradesh earlier this year. The initiative, carried out ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr in March 2025, reportedly reached 10 lakh Muslims, and has been cited by opposition parties as a strategic attempt by the BJP to consolidate minority votes in key constituencies.

“I want to ask Ameet Satam if PM Modi was sending the Saugat-e-Modi kits to Mamdani, or Pakistan or Bangladesh?” Dubey asked, urging Satam not to undermine the Prime Minister’s actions or narrative.

This statement not only positioned the Uddhav Sena as defenders of regional identity but also highlighted the ongoing contestation in Indian politics over the outreach to minority communities, often framed in terms of political strategy and vote banking. By juxtaposing Satam’s remarks with the Saugat-e-Modi initiative, Dubey sought to expose what he described as inconsistencies and opportunism in the BJP’s approach to religious and regional politics.

The initial remark by Ameet Satam came in the wake of Zohran Mamdani’s historic electoral victory in New York City. Mamdani became the first Muslim mayor of the city, securing roughly 50 percent of the vote, defeating Republican candidates Curtis Sliwa and Andrew Cuomo, the latter of whom was reportedly supported by former U.S. President Donald Trump. Mamdani’s election has been widely celebrated as a milestone in representation for the Indian diaspora, particularly among Muslim communities in the United States.

Satam’s comment, however, cast Mamdani’s victory in communal and political terms, suggesting that the political trajectory of Mumbai could be influenced by similar dynamics. In a tweet that quickly drew national attention, Satam stated:

“The way the political colour of some international cities is changing, after seeing the surnames of a few mayors and the ‘vote jihad’ of the Maha Vikas Aghadi, it feels necessary to stay alert regarding Mumbai… If anyone tries to impose a ‘Khan’ on Mumbai, it will not be tolerated! Wake up, Mumbaikars!”

This tweet not only references the broader political developments in other international cities but also explicitly ties them to local politics in Mumbai, invoking a narrative of vigilance against the perceived imposition of minority candidates. Satam’s reference to “vote jihad” aligns with long-standing rhetoric used by some political factions in India to frame Muslim political engagement as a threat to the majority community, a framing that has repeatedly sparked controversy and debate.

Shiv Sena (UBT)’s response, through Dubey, highlights the deep divisions in Maharashtra’s political landscape. The Uddhav faction, which split from the original Shiv Sena following internal conflicts, has positioned itself as a defender of Marathi Hindu identity and the interests of the local population, contrasting itself with both the BJP and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, which includes the Shiv Sena’s former allies. By explicitly referencing the saffron flag and Marathi Hindu leadership, the Uddhav Sena is reasserting its commitment to regional representation in governance while simultaneously critiquing communal undertones in Satam’s remarks.

The political context for this exchange is particularly significant given the upcoming municipal elections in Maharashtra, which are scheduled for December 2, 2025, with results to be declared on December 3. The elections will cover 246 municipal councils and 42 nagar panchayats, encompassing both urban and semi-urban regions of the state. These elections are expected to serve as a key barometer for party strength in Maharashtra, particularly in the run-up to the state assembly elections and in the context of alliances and rivalries between the BJP, Shiv Sena (UBT), and other regional players.

The Uddhav Sena’s response also underscores a broader narrative in Indian politics where domestic parties often engage with international developments to frame local political debates. The New York mayoral elections, though geographically distant, became a focal point for commentary and political positioning in Mumbai, reflecting how global events can be interpreted through the lens of local political agendas.

Analysts suggest that Satam’s remark may have been intended to rally the BJP’s base in Mumbai, particularly among conservative voters concerned about maintaining traditional political and social hierarchies. Conversely, the Uddhav Sena’s response signals an attempt to reclaim the narrative, emphasizing regional pride and local political identity as central themes for the forthcoming municipal elections.

Furthermore, the rhetoric employed by both sides highlights the enduring role of identity politics in Maharashtra. While Satam framed his comments around communal vigilance, the Uddhav Sena emphasized regional and linguistic identity, illustrating the multi-layered nature of political competition in the state. Such debates are likely to intensify in the run-up to the municipal elections, as parties seek to consolidate support among diverse voter groups, including Marathi Hindus, minority communities, and urban middle-class constituencies.

Mamdani’s victory in New York has therefore become more than an international political milestone; it has emerged as a symbolic reference point in Maharashtra’s ongoing political discourse. The contrasting reactions from the BJP and Shiv Sena (UBT) illustrate the ways in which diaspora politics and local electoral strategies intersect, with parties leveraging global developments to shape narratives about identity, governance, and electoral strategy.

The December municipal elections are expected to set the tone for political alignments in Maharashtra over the next year. With Shiv Sena (UBT) emphasizing regional pride, the BJP mobilizing around nationalist and communal messaging, and other regional parties positioning themselves as alternatives, the contests are likely to be highly competitive. Observers note that the use of identity and community-focused rhetoric will play a significant role in shaping voter perceptions, campaign strategies, and ultimately, electoral outcomes.

In conclusion, the controversy surrounding Ameet Satam’s ‘no Khan’ remark and Anand Dubey’s scathing response is emblematic of the complex interplay of communal and regional politics in Maharashtra. While Satam sought to frame the narrative around vigilance against minority influence, the Uddhav Sena countered with a message rooted in Marathi Hindu identity and local pride. As municipal elections approach, these debates are likely to intensify, shaping not only campaign rhetoric but also broader discussions about representation, governance, and the evolving dynamics of Maharashtra’s political landscape.

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