Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Thursday launched a broadside against the Devendra Fadnavis-led state government over the Mumbai-Pune Expressway's Missing Link project, criticised the handling of Mumbai's monsoon infrastructure, and urged party workers to remain vigilant to ensure Marathi youth receive jobs in railway recruitments.
आज महाराष्ट्र नवनिर्माण रेल्वे कामगार सेनेच्या वर्धापनदिनाच्या निमित्ताने झालेल्या, माझ्या भाषणात दुसऱ्या महायुद्धाचा संदर्भ देताना विन्स्टन चर्चिल यांचा मुद्दा मांडताना मी चुकीने व्ही फॉर व्हिक्टरी आणि व्ही फॉर विन्स्टन म्हटलं. खरंतर मला भाषणाच्या मांडणीत व्ही फॉर इनव्हिन्सीबल… pic.twitter.com/zGyw2TE9QD
— Raj Thackeray (@RajThackeray) July 9, 2026
Addressing workers at the anniversary programme of the Maharashtra Navnirman Railway Karmachari Sena at Swatantryaveer Savarkar Memorial Auditorium in Mumbai's Dadar West, Thackeray accused the state government of being unwilling to accept criticism over the Missing Link project, where reports of rockfalls and water seepage surfaced weeks after its inauguration.
Referring to CM Fadnavis' appeal not to politicise the issue, Thackeray said questioning the project did not amount to insulting Maharashtra.
"People are talking about the Missing Link. Where is the insult to Maharashtra in that?" he asked, adding that governments should be open to public scrutiny instead of dismissing criticism as politics.
Calling for a temporary halt to ongoing construction works in Mumbai, the MNS chief alleged that poor-quality infrastructure was the result of corruption in public contracts. Referring to the Missing Link, inaugurated on May 1, he questioned why international consultants had been engaged while the construction was executed by an Indian contractor.
"They brought consultants from abroad, so why not bring the contractor from there too?" he remarked, alleging that corruption in the contracting process had affected the quality of public infrastructure.
Raj Thackeray attacks government's flood response, renews push for Marathi railway jobs
Drawing a comparison with the 2005 Mumbai floods, Thackeray said the city had come to a standstill after receiving around 1,000 mm of rainfall within a few hours, while this year similar disruption occurred despite substantially lower rainfall.
"Those who criticised the government then are silent today," he said, while accusing the ruling dispensation of dismissing infrastructure failures as natural disasters.
Thackeray also criticised what he described as attempts to silence criticism, saying governments should answer questions instead of branding critics as anti-Maharashtra or anti-national.
Referring to allegations of embezzlement involving donations to the Ram Mandir, the MNS chief further said questioning alleged financial irregularities should not be construed as insulting religion. He also referred to remarks by Dattatreya Hosabale, saying those responsible for managing the trust should be held accountable if any wrongdoing was established.
Recalling the MNS-led agitation over railway recruitment in 2008, Thackeray claimed the movement had resulted in thousands of Marathi youth securing jobs in the Railways. He alleged that railway recruitment advertisements in Maharashtra were then being published in newspapers from northern states instead of Marathi newspapers, prompting the agitation.
He urged office-bearers of the Maharashtra Navnirman Railway Karmachari Sena to closely monitor future railway recruitments and ensure Marathi youth receive employment opportunities, contracts and work in the state.
Thackeray targets Gadkari, calls for greater public accountability
The MNS chief also took a swipe at Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, saying the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways should focus on improving road quality rather than discussing ethanol blending in fuel.
Expressing concern over what he described as growing public apathy, Thackeray said people increasingly vented their anger on social media instead of holding elected representatives accountable.
Citing former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, Thackeray said democracies thrive when voters judge governments on performance. Referring to Churchill's electoral defeat after the Second World War, he argued that public support should never be taken for granted.
Later, Thackeray issued a clarification on social media regarding a reference he made to Churchill during the speech. He said he had inadvertently said "V for Victory" and "V for Winston" instead of "V for Invincible", attributing the error to a mix-up while speaking.
* This article was originally published here
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