Amit Satam Slams Uddhav Thackeray Over MNS Deepotsav 2025

Mumbai BJP chief Amit Satam criticizes Uddhav Thackeray for inaugurating MNS Deepotsav 2025, calling it political hypocrisy ahead of BMC polls.

Mumbai, Oct 17, 2025 — Political tension escalated in Mumbai after BJP city president Amit Satam sharply criticized Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray for agreeing to inaugurate the MNS Deepotsav 2025. The event, hosted by Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena at Shivaji Park, has suddenly become a flashpoint between rival parties ahead of the civic elections.

Satam questioned Uddhav Thackeray’s shifting position, asking whether his earlier objections to the same event were misplaced or whether his current support is politically motivated. He said that Thackeray owes Mumbaikars an explanation about what has changed since last year when his party had opposed the MNS initiative. According to Satam, this U-turn shows that Uddhav Thackeray’s politics now revolve around convenience rather than conviction.

BJP leaders have used the controversy to target the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance, suggesting it has lost ideological direction and is resorting to symbolic gestures. Satam said the alliance leaders are “confused and inconsistent” and more focused on political optics than on public welfare. He also accused the opposition of diverting attention from real civic issues like roads, housing, and water supply.

Satam did not limit his criticism to Uddhav Thackeray alone. He questioned NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar’s decades-long influence over Maharashtra’s politics, asking what tangible progress the state has seen during his leadership. He also pointed to administrative complaints against senior official Amit Saini and demanded immediate investigation and accountability from the state government.

The political clash comes just weeks before the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation election, where alliances and rivalries are being redefined. Uddhav Thackeray’s appearance at an MNS event has raised eyebrows within political circles, hinting at possible coordination or an evolving relationship between the two Thackerays. BJP leaders, however, see it as opportunism and plan to highlight the contradiction during their campaign.

The Deepotsav celebration itself is a popular Diwali attraction in central Mumbai and draws massive crowds every year. This year’s event has gained extra attention due to Uddhav Thackeray’s scheduled participation. Political observers say it’s a strategic attempt to reclaim visibility among Marathi voters, a segment where both MNS and Shiv Sena have traditionally held strong influence.

While neither Uddhav nor Raj Thackeray has commented on Amit Satam’s remarks, sources within both camps suggest that their growing interactions over the past few months indicate a softening of rivalry. Whether this translates into a political understanding or remains limited to cultural events will become clearer closer to the election.

For now, Satam’s strong statement has reignited debate in Mumbai’s political scene. It underscores how even cultural festivals are becoming political battlegrounds as the city gears up for an intense election season.