Raj Thackeray, the chief of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), has once again embraced Marathi identity politics as the long-pending Maharashtra local body elections are likely to take place by the end of this year. In his annual Gudhi Padwa rally at Shivaji Park, Mumbai, Thackeray made a controversial statement: "Those who refuse to speak Marathi in Mumbai will get a slap on their face." This marks his return to linguistic nationalism after experimenting with Hindutva politics in recent years.

Political Struggles and the Need for a Revival

Ever since Thackeray parted ways with Shiv Sena and formed MNS in 2005, he has struggled to gain a stable political base. His party has repeatedly changed ideological stances—shifting from Marathi pride to Hindutva and now back to Marathi politics. With zero seats in the 2024 elections, the upcoming Mumbai civic elections have become crucial for his political survival.

Marathi Book Exhibition: A Political Message?

Recently, Thackeray organized a book exhibition named "Abhijat Pustak Pradarshan" outside his residence at Shivaji Park. The exhibition showcased thousands of books from Marathi publishers, reinforcing his pro-Marathi stance. While Thackeray is known for his love for books, this move also signaled his renewed focus on Marathi culture and identity, especially ahead of the elections.

Demand for Higher Hospital Fees for Non-Maharashtrians

In another politically charged move, Thackeray met Mumbai Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani and demanded that non-Maharashtrian patients be charged higher fees at BMC hospitals. He argued that an increasing number of out-of-state patients are burdening Mumbai’s public healthcare system. He proposed that only those with a local Aadhaar address should receive standard treatment rates, while others should pay extra.

The Rise and Fall of MNS: A Timeline

Thackeray’s political career has seen dramatic highs and lows:

• 2006: Forms MNS, aggressively promoting the Marathi cause.

• 2008: Anti-North Indian campaign leads to violent clashes.

• 2009: Wins 13 assembly seats, becomes a significant force in Maharashtra politics.

• 2012: MNS secures Nashik mayor’s post, but its success remains limited.

• 2014 & 2019: The party’s downfall begins, winning only one seat each time.

• 2024: MNS fails to secure even a single seat in the elections.

Shift to Hindutva and Failure to Gain Support

In 2020, after Shiv Sena joined forces with Congress in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), Thackeray saw an opportunity to claim the Hindutva vote bank. He:

• Launched a campaign against mosque loudspeakers, instructing MNS workers to play Hanuman Chalisa in retaliation.

• Started wearing saffron attire, embracing a Hindutva image.

• Encouraged supporters to refer to him as "Hindu Jananayak" (Hindu Leader).

However, this strategy failed, as BJP and Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) already dominated the Hindutva vote bank.

The Road Ahead: Can MNS Make a Comeback?

With the BMC elections approaching, Raj Thackeray is making desperate attempts to rebuild MNS’s lost voter base. However, his ideological inconsistency—shifting between Marathi pride and Hindutva—raises doubts about whether he can regain political ground.

As Maharashtra politics gears up for another major election, will Thackeray's return to Marathi identity politics bring back electoral success, or will MNS continue its downward spiral?

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