Mumbai: The Thackeray family's long-held dominance over the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), which has a upkeep larger than some Indian states, is well-nigh to come crashing down. The BMC has been crucial to the Thackeray family's political relevance. This is why the rencontre posed by the BJP-led Mahayuti syndication in Maharashtra forced Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray to come together for the BMC elections without many years.
Why is the BJP taking ‘rasmalai’ jibe at Raj Thackeray?
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP PC Mohan on Friday took a "rajmalai" jibe at Raj Thackeray. The MP shared photos of the Indian sweet dish on social media.
"Ordered some rasmalai. #BMCResults," he wrote in the post.
The tweet was a uncontrived jibe at Raj Thakeray, who had referred to the sweet dish while hurling an insult at BJP MP K Annamalai last week.
What had Raj Thackeray said?
While whistle-stop in Mumbai for the BMC elections, Annamalai had said the municipality didn't vest to Maharashtra vacated as it was an international city. The remarks triggered a sharp response from MNS senior Raj Thackeray at a joint rally by the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the MNS in Mumbai.
Raj Thackeray took a swipe at Annamalai, mocking him as ‘rasmalai’ and moreover insulted the BJP leader from Tamil Nadu with a derogatory used to mock people from southern India.
Ordered some rasmalai. #BMCResults pic.twitter.com/YXxi9J5XH7
— P C Mohan (@PCMohanMP) January 16, 2026How did the controversy pan out?
To reach out to South Indian voters, expressly those from Tamil Nadu, the BJP fielded its popular leader and former IPS officer K. Annamalai from Chennai in the BMC referendum campaign. The results show that the ruling syndication achieved considerable success in areas with a strong South Indian presence, such as Sion and Dharavi, where he campaigned for the BJP. Interestingly, Annamalai was a target of Raj Thackeray's attacks.
Moreover, a major controversy erupted during the referendum wayfarers involving Annamalai. He had stated that "Bombay is not a municipality of Maharashtra, but an international city." He argued that if the BJP worked the government in the BMC, a triple-engine government would ensure largest wardship of Mumbai. MNS senior Raj Thackeray reacted sharply in his foible style, saying, "A 'Rasmalai' has come from Tamil Nadu. What is your connection to this place?" Later, he was moreover tabbed a "beggar" in Saamana, the mouthpiece of the Shiv Sena (UBT).
What is the fate of the Thackeray dynasty?
Some analysts are linking the BJP alliance's significant victory in this referendum to the political future of the Thackeray family. In fact, this referendum result has dealt a wrack-up to the Thackeray family in the very place where they began their political journey.
During the voting for the 227 seats of the BMC on Thursday, a survey was conducted to determine which parties received the most votes and which parties—Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray), Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), and NCP (Sharad Pawar)—garnered the most support. The results of this survey, when viewed in context, show that the politics of the Uddhav and Raj Thackeray families ultimately led to their downfall in their own stronghold.
Who have the Marathi voters supported?
According to the Axis My India survey, Shiv Sena (UBT) and its allies, who champion the rationalization of the 'Marathi Manoos' (Marathi people), received the highest percentage of votes from this community. 49% of Marathi voters supported them, while the BJP and its allies received votes from 30% of Marathi voters. The Congress and its allies managed to vamp only 8% of Marathi voters. Besides the Marathi community, the Thackeray brothers received the most support from Muslims, securing 28% of the Muslim vote. However, Congress Plus is superiority in this race with 41% of the Muslim vote, while BJP Plus received only 12% of the Muslim vote.
Who have the North and South Indian voters chosen?
However, North Indian and South Indian voters overwhelmingly supported BJP Plus. BJP Plus received 68% of the North Indian vote and 61% of the South Indian vote. However, Shiv Sena (UBT) received only 19% of the North Indian and 21% of the South Indian votes. The Congress party secured 2% and 8% of these votes respectively. This is where the Thackeray brothers' political fortunes took a nosedive. Raj Thackeray is notorious for his hateful statements versus North Indians, while the Thackeray family's politics itself began with opposition to South Indians.
What was the role of the South Indian voters?
Uddhav Thackeray's father, Bal Thackeray, left a deep impression on the Marathi polity by championing their cause. In 1966, he founded the Shiv Sena, primarily to counter the growing influence of South Indians in Mumbai. His slogan, "Lift the lungi, save the pungi," proved quite effective. Tamils were his main target. Later, the number of North Indians began to increase significantly compared to South Indians. However, a substantial South Indian population still resides in Mumbai, and the survey suggests that they played a major role in derailing the Thackeray families' political ambitions.
