At Dussehra rally, Uddhav bats for 'regime change', promises 'acche din' after ousting BJP

Addressing the annual Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park in Mumbai, Mr. Thackeray insisted that staging a protest is the right of youth because 'vote chori' (vote theft) is happening with everyone, especially new voters

Published - October 21, 2026 12:40 am IST - Mumba

Shivsena UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray addresses the party's 60th Dussehra Rally at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Park, Dadar, in Mumbai on October 20, 2026. | Photo Credit: ANI

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday (October 20, 2026) asserted that the Opposition, including his party, has stood up for bringing about a 'regime change' and promised to usher in 'acche din' (good days) after dislodging the BJP-led government at the Centre.

Addressing the annual Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park in Mumbai, Mr. Thackeray insisted that staging a protest is the right of youth because 'vote chori' (vote theft) is happening with everyone, especially new voters.

This was the 60th anniversary of the Shiv Sena's Dussehra rally at the iconic ground in Dadar. Shiv Sena founder, the late Bal Thackeray, addressed the first rally at Shivaji Park on Dussehra Day in 1966, four months after forming the party on the 'sons of the soil' (Marathi manoos) plank.

Speaking further, Uddhav Thackeray asserted youth who have hit the streets are not Naxalites, they are revolutionaries seeking their rights.

"We are standing up to bring about a 'regime change," the former Chief Minister declared.

"We will bring 'acche din' (good days)," he added as he asked party workers to strive for government change.

"Acche din" slogan was a centrepiece of the BJP campaign during the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, which saw the national saffron party coming to power with a full majority.

Mr. Thackeray sought to distinguish between his party's Hindutva and the one advocated by the BJP, his former ally.

“Hindutva of those who wear saffron scarves and eve-tease women is not acceptable,” he said, alleging that the ”BJP was maligning Hindutva.”

"We have to unfurl Bhagwa [saffron flag] not only atop Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha, but also on Lal Qila [Red Fort in Delhi]," Mr. Thackeray told the gathering.

He accused the BJP of trying to divide people by separating colours from the tricolour.

Published - October 21, 2026 12:40 am IST

Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray / Mumbai / Maharashtra / politics

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