Uddhav Thackeray Calls for Regime Change at Dussehra Rally

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray called for a regime change to oust the BJP-led central government during the 60th anniversary of the party's annual Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park in Mumbai on October 20, 2026. Thackeray promised to bring "acche din" (good days) to the country, repurposing a slogan the BJP used during its 2014 campaign.

Thackeray targeted the Bharatiya Janata Party, alleging the ruling government failed to protect Hindus, uphold democratic values, and provide compensation to farmers facing severe drought. He specifically accused the government of "vote chori" (vote theft), claiming 13 crore names were deleted from electoral rolls across India. He described Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar as the government's "lifeline," comparing him to the demon king Ravana.

During the rally, Thackeray criticized Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for labeling protesters as "urban naxals" and questioned security failures following an attack on actor Tiger Shroff. He also challenged the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh on its historical stance toward the national flag and responded to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's calls for protest decorum by citing police brutality against youth. Thackeray concluded by asserting that his party's Hindutva is rooted in patriotism, contrasting it with the BJP's political use of national colors.