POLITICAL ANALYST TEHSEEN POONAWALLA TEARS INTO THACKERAY POLITICS, WARNS VOTERS, ESPECIALLY MINORITIES, THIS ELECTION!
PUNE/MUMBAI: With Maharashtra heading into a high-stakes election season, political commentator and activist Tehseen Poonawalla has dropped a political bombshell—openly challenging the Thackeray brothers and calling out what he terms decades of fear-driven, street-based politics that “held Maharashtra hostage.”
The timing is explosive. As voters prepare to choose between legacy and leadership, Poonawalla’s sharp attack has threatened to dent the Thackeray aura, especially among urban and first-time voters who are tired of intimidation, symbolism and surname politics.
In a rare, no-holds-barred confrontation, Poonawalla has taken direct aim at Uddhav Thackeray, Raj Thackeray and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray, accusing them of surviving only on “legacy, muscle power and manufactured outrage rather than governance or vision.”
‘A surname is not leadership’
In a series of viral statements and social media posts, Poonawalla accused the Thackerays of hiding behind Balasaheb Thackeray’s legacy while Maharashtra paid the price.
Talking to National Bulletin, about him exposing the Thackerays, Poonawalla said, “Democracy cannot be inherited. Leadership is not a surname,” piercing what many see as the family’s long-standing political shield.
He went on to add that while the Thackerays speak the language of the Constitution, their politics on the ground thrives on fear, street pressure and emotional mobilisation.
Street power over state power
Poonawalla’s sharpest criticism was reserved for what he called the normalisation of street politics—“bandhs, threats, cultural policing and public intimidation masquerading as regional pride.”
“You cannot preach the Constitution in Delhi and glorify street justice in Mumbai,” he said, adding that law cannot be replaced by loudspeakers and mobs.
His remarks have reignited an uncomfortable question during election season: “Has Maharashtra’s politics remained trapped in street muscle long after voters demanded governance?”
Calling out ‘convenient nationalism’
Not only this but he also took a swipe at Aditya Thackeray, accusing the camp of practising “convenient nationalism.”
Poonawalla questioned why journalists, critics and dissenters are often met with threats and trolling, asking whether this reflects political strength or insecurity.
Marathi asmita or manufactured fear?
Besides this, Poonawalla also warned against the repeated use of Marathi asmita as a political weapon, claiming identity politics has been used to polarise Mumbai and other cities and also silence tough questions.
“Pride cannot come at the cost of freedom,” he said, asserting that Maharashtra’s identity cannot be reduced to one slogan, one street or one family.
Why this matters now?
Given Poonawalla’s aggressive intervention and stance on Maharashtra’s politics, political observers claimed that his remarks are striking a chord with young, urban and middle-class voters who are increasingly uneasy with dynasty politics and street intimidation.
“This is not just an attack on the Thackerays; it’s an attack on a culture of fear. And it’s coming at the worst possible time for them—that is, right before elections,” said the observer, requesting anonymity.
A direct hit on an old order
What makes this face-off volatile is not just the language, but the timing. With polls approaching, Poonawalla has done what few have dared—"challenged the Thackeray brothers head-on, without apology.”
Poonawalla’s message is loud and clear:
He has questioned the legacy.
The streets have been challenged.
And in this election season, the political gloves are off!