In an emotional and powerful address at the ‘Voice of Marathi’ (Awaaz Marathicha) victory rally held at the Dome Auditorium in Worli, MNS President Raj Thackeray evoked memories of Balasaheb Thackeray’s uncompromising stand for the Marathi language and identity. Speaking to thousands of passionate supporters, Raj urged the people of Maharashtra to stay united and vigilant in preserving the Marathi ethos.
“This unity for Marathi must continue. Let Balasaheb’s dream be realized again,” Raj said, concluding his impactful speech.
Opening his address with a reference to Balasaheb’s ideals, Raj said,
“I have taken Marathi’s ‘Balkadu’ (life tonic). Yes, for us, this was Balkadu.”
He recounted formative incidents from his childhood that shaped his deep-rooted pride in the Marathi identity, highlighting one particular event that left a lasting impact.
Raj Thackeray shared a key political moment from 1999, during a critical phase when Sharad Pawar had formed his own party and alliances were shifting rapidly. He recalled the power struggle between the Shiv Sena and BJP, and how Balasaheb Thackeray made a decisive stand.
“Two cars came to Matoshree. Prakash Javadekar and Meenaltai came to meet Balasaheb. The topic of the Chief Minister’s post was on the table. I carried a message to Balasaheb that Sureshdada Jain should be made CM. Balasaheb responded firmly: ‘Go and tell them—the Chief Minister of Maharashtra will be Marathi. No one else.’”
“At that moment, Balasaheb kicked power for the sake of Marathi,” Raj declared, as the audience erupted in applause.
Raj Thackeray reminded the audience that the values and cultural pride instilled by Balasaheb live on in him and must live on in every Marathi individual.
“The boy on whom this culture was passed will never compromise with Marathi. That’s why I urge all of you—stay vigilant, stay alert. This unity for Marathi must not end here,” he said.
As the rally came to a close, Raj’s speech stood out as both a tribute to Balasaheb’s enduring legacy and a rallying cry for Marathi unity, drawing emotional responses from both party workers and citizens who had gathered in large numbers for this historic event.