Mumbai: Maharashtra BJP chief spokesperson Keshav Upadhye on Monday (September 29, 2025) urged Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray to cancel his party’s annual Dussehra rally and divert the expenditure towards flood relief in the Marathwada region. Several parts of the state, including the usually drought-prone Marathwada, have been battered by heavy rains, causing severe flooding and widespread damage.
BJP’s demand for action
Mr. Upadhye criticised Mr. Thackeray’s response during his tenure as Chief Minister, alleging that he “failed to act and remained at home” during previous crises. “This is the time to atone. Cancelling the rally and diverting the funds will show genuine concern for the people,” he said in a post on X.
He added that while Mr. Thackeray has toured five districts for three hours and expressed anguish over the suffering of flood victims, the next step should be tangible action. “Marathwada is reeling under severe floods, with people losing everything. Thackeray should cancel the Dussehra rally and spend that amount for flood victims. That would give meaning to his expressions of sympathy,” Mr. Upadhye said.
Criticism of rally content
Mr. Upadhye also criticised the content of the annual rally, noting that under Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray, the event was known for its ideological messaging. “Now, it has been reduced to repeating the same script of calling others traitors and alleging that his party was stolen. Why should ordinary workers be burdened with lakhs of rupees for such theatrics, when the same lament continues daily in Sena-UBT mouthpiece ‘Saamana’,” he remarked.
Flood situation in Marathwada
Maharashtra has witnessed incessant rains in recent weeks, with the Marathwada region particularly affected. Thousands of people have been displaced, and extensive damage has been reported to property and infrastructure. Authorities have shifted over 11,500 people to relief camps, and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has reviewed ongoing relief operations, urging evacuation in vulnerable areas.
Mr. Thackeray recently visited five flood-affected districts in Marathwada, meeting residents and listening to their grievances. Despite this, the BJP has called for immediate action to redirect resources towards relief rather than holding traditional rallies amid the ongoing crisis.