A day after the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) suffered a historic setback in Mumbai’s civic politics, party chief Uddhav Thackeray struck a tone of defiance rather than retreat. Speaking to party workers, Thackeray reaffirmed what he described as his enduring dream: to once again see a Shiv Sena (UBT) mayor presiding over the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Though his party has lost control of the country’s richest civic body, Thackeray made it clear that he views the defeat not as the end of the road but as a temporary hurdle.

“If God is willing, it will happen,” he told supporters, a cryptic yet resolute message that underscored his belief that political fortunes can still turn in his favour. The remark, delivered in the immediate aftermath of the BMC results, was both a reassurance to party cadres and a signal to rivals that he is not prepared to concede Mumbai as lost territory.

The BJP emerged as the single-largest party in the BMC, effectively ending the Thackeray family’s 25-year dominance over Mumbai’s civic administration. For decades, the BMC has been the Shiv Sena’s principal power centre, offering not just control over civic governance but also access to vast financial resources and a strong organisational base. Losing it represents one of the most significant political blows Uddhav Thackeray has faced since the split of the Shiv Sena and the subsequent realignment of Maharashtra’s politics.

Addressing party workers, Thackeray sought to frame the defeat not as a rejection of the Sena’s ideology but as the outcome of political betrayal. In a sharp attack on the BJP, he accused the party of winning the civic polls through what he described as treachery rather than popular mandate. Without naming individuals, he alluded to defections, alliances, and political manoeuvres that, in his view, undermined the democratic spirit of the contest.

“The Marathi manoos will not forgive this sin,” Thackeray said, invoking the nativist plank that has long been central to the Shiv Sena’s identity. His use of the phrase was telling. Even after the electoral loss, Thackeray appeared determined to double down on the party’s traditional appeal to Marathi pride and regional identity, positioning the Sena (UBT) as the true guardian of Mumbai’s interests against what he portrayed as outside forces seeking to exploit the city.

Thackeray also accused the BJP of wanting to “mortgage Mumbai,” a phrase loaded with political symbolism. By this, he suggested that the city’s resources, autonomy, and character were at risk under BJP control. Mumbai, he argued, was not merely a financial capital but an emotional and cultural space for Maharashtrians, one that should not be handed over to forces driven by profit or power rather than people’s welfare.

The loss of the BMC is particularly painful for the Shiv Sena (UBT) because the civic body has historically been more than just a municipal institution for the party. Control of the BMC allowed the Sena to shape Mumbai’s infrastructure projects, influence urban development, and maintain a formidable grassroots network through corporators and local leaders. It also provided a steady stream of visibility and relevance, even during periods when the party was not in power at the state or national level.

For the Thackeray family, the BMC symbolised continuity and authority. From Balasaheb Thackeray’s era to Uddhav Thackeray’s leadership, the civic body served as a tangible expression of the Sena’s grip over Mumbai. Losing it, therefore, is not just an administrative defeat but a symbolic rupture in a legacy that has spanned a quarter of a century.

Yet, Thackeray’s post-poll message suggested that he is keen to reframe the narrative from loss to resistance. By invoking faith, destiny, and perseverance, he sought to remind party workers that political journeys are rarely linear. His statement about a future Sena (UBT) mayor was less a concrete plan and more an assertion of belief—an attempt to keep morale intact at a time when disappointment could easily turn into demoralisation.

Political observers see Thackeray’s remarks as part of a broader strategy to consolidate his core support base after the civic defeat. The Shiv Sena split, the rise of the Eknath Shinde faction, and the BJP’s expanding influence in Maharashtra have left the Sena (UBT) fighting for relevance in a crowded and polarised political landscape. In this context, Mumbai remains crucial. Even out of power, maintaining a strong emotional and political connect with the city is essential for the party’s survival and future revival.

Thackeray’s continued emphasis on the “Marathi manoos” narrative also reflects an effort to draw clear ideological lines. By portraying the BJP’s victory as a betrayal of local interests, he is attempting to rally regional sentiment and present the Sena (UBT) as the authentic voice of Mumbai’s original inhabitants. Whether this strategy will resonate with a changing electorate—one that is younger, more diverse, and increasingly concerned with governance and development—remains an open question.

For now, the BJP’s takeover of the BMC marks a turning point in Mumbai’s political history. It signals a shift in power dynamics and raises questions about how civic governance in the city will evolve under new leadership. For Uddhav Thackeray and his party, it represents a moment of reckoning as well as an opportunity to regroup.

By striking a defiant note so soon after the defeat, Thackeray has made it clear that he does not intend to fade quietly into the background. His words—part faith, part challenge—are aimed as much at his supporters as at his opponents. The message is simple: the battle for Mumbai is far from over.

Whether the dream of a Sena (UBT) mayor will materialise again is uncertain. But in reaffirming that dream, Uddhav Thackeray has signalled his intent to keep Mumbai at the centre of his political imagination—and to continue contesting the city’s future, one election at a time.