BMC elections 2026: Arvind Sawant says saffron flag will fly again in Mumbai

Expressing confidence in winning the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC elections 2026 Shiv Sena UBT MP Arvind Sawant declared that their party will once again hoist the saffron flag in Mumbai by defeating corrupt forces in the upcoming polls reported news agency ANIlsquoWill once again hoist the saffron flagrsquoSawant emphasised that the party believes in bringing everyone along noting that Mumbai has always been an inclusive city which is why people live peacefullyThe atmosphere in Mumbai is all about ShivBhagwa its about Uddhav and Raj its about Aaditya its about the Mashaal and the engine Everyone has decided that by removing corrupt people from here we will once again hoist the saffron flag We are the Shiv Sena that takes everyone along Mumbai has always been inclusive thats why everyone lives here peacefully Now where have these people brought up this issue of caste and community from Its a municipal corporation election and thats the issue talk about that talk about what you want to give to the people Sawant told ANIRaj Thackeray pitches for Marathi unityThe remarks come in the wake of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena MNS chief Raj Thackerays statement which made a strong pitch for Marathi unity warning that the states language land and identity are under threatAddressing party workers Thackeray said people from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar should not impose Hindi in Maharashtra asserting that any such attempt would be resisted He termed the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC polls as a decisive election for the Marathi community urging voters to unite for Maharashtra and remain vigilant on polling day to prevent any malpracticePeople from UP and Bihar should understand that Hindi is not your language I dont hate the language But if you try to impose it Ill kick you Theyre coming from all sides to Maharashtra and snatching away your share If land and language are gone you will be finished Today this crisis has arrived at your doorstep Raj Thackeray said reported ANIThis is the last election for the Marathi man If you miss this opportunity today you will be finished Unite for Marathi and Maharashtra Mumbai was obtained through the sacrifices of so many people What will we tell them The BLA Booth Level Agents appointed at 6 AM should be ready on election day Be alert be vigilant dont be careless If anyone comes to vote again throw them out the MNS Chief addedFadnavis Raut trade barbsLater countering Opposition claims over threats to the Marathi manush Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis said it was not the Marathi community but certain political forces whose existence was at stake underscoring that Maharashtra belongs to all Marathi people not any single groupHowever Shiv Sena UBT MP Sanjay Raut criticised Fadnavis saying the son of the soil issue has remained relevant in Maharashtra for 60 years Raut further stated that no one would have cared about the Bharatiya Janata Party BJP if it werent for Bal Thackeray who boosted the party reported ANIMarathi manus is in danger because of the BJP he assertedThis issue has been going on for 60 years in Maharashtra This is not about the Thackeray brothers He is challenging Hindu Hridya Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray Balasaheb boosted your party and youre challenging him Otherwise nobody cared for you You didnt have two people whose posters you could put in Mumbai and Maharashtra If a Marathi man is in danger its because of the BJP This is why our direct fight is with the BJP Raut said reported ANICivic polls ahead in MaharashtraThis political exchange comes ahead of elections to 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC Pune Municipal Corporation PMC and PimpriChinchwad Municipal Corporation PCMC Polling will be held on January 15 with counting scheduled for January 16With inputs from ANI