“Fighting like a tigress”: Uddhav Thackeray backs Mamata, slams central force deployment in Bengal

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday strongly backed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, describing her as “fighting like a tigress” and questioning the scale of central force deployment during the ongoing elections. Speaking at a workers’ gathering in Mumbai, he said that deploying such a large number of forces against a single leader raised concerns about the democratic environment and whether voters would feel free to cast their votes.

Thackeray’s remarks came as part of a broader attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party, where he accused it of prioritising electoral gains over governance. He alleged that excessive focus on campaigning was affecting administration, and used Mamata Banerjee’s situation in West Bengal to highlight what he described as political pressure tactics. He framed her fight as symbolic of resistance against central dominance in state politics.

Extending his criticism, Thackeray said that his political identity, which he referred to as the “Thackeray brand,” had not yet fully emerged and would have a visible impact once it does. He indicated that this approach would centre on protecting the rights of the Marathi Hindu community while also strengthening the party’s grassroots connect. At the same time, he alleged that trade unions were being weakened and workers were facing increasing pressure, claiming that organised labour was being sidelined.

Drawing parallels with shifting political loyalties, Thackeray compared the current political climate to an “Indian Political League,” suggesting that leaders were aligning themselves based on convenience rather than ideology. He also addressed issues such as women’s reservation, asserting that his party had not opposed it and challenging the government to implement it immediately. He further raised concerns over delimitation, warning that states which had successfully implemented family planning policies could lose representation.

In his concluding remarks, Thackeray criticised the use of central agencies against opposition parties and called for a level playing field in politics. He also flagged unemployment and industrial decline, arguing that lack of opportunities was forcing workers to seek risky jobs abroad. Through his speech, he positioned Mamata Banerjee’s political battle as part of a larger national narrative, while reiterating his opposition to the BJP’s approach to governance and elections.