A fierce political slugfest erupted in Maharashtra after Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray described Union Home Minister Amit Shah as an “anaconda” during his party’s Nirdhar Rally at Worli Dome. Thackeray accused the BJP of attempting to “swallow Mumbai,” alleging that two major businessmen had their eyes on the city’s wealth and resources.

The remarks triggered a strong reaction from the ruling Mahayuti alliance, with Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde launching a scathing counterattack.

Speaking to reporters, Shinde retorted, “If you say anaconda, then he is an anaconda himself. For the last 25 years, they have been sitting on the Mumbai Municipal Corporation's treasury with a big scythe. This anaconda has a different characteristic; it does not fill its stomach.”

Continuing his tirade, Shinde accused Thackeray of corruption and mismanagement during the Shiv Sena’s long reign over the BMC. “It swallowed Mumbai's treasury, it swallowed Mumbai, it swallowed the khichdi of Mumbai patients. It swallowed some plots of land in Mumbai. It swallowed the mud in Mithi, it swallowed the asphalt on the road, but its stomach is still not full,” he said.

The Chief Minister further added, “Anaconda himself was sitting on the vault of Mumbai. He swallowed the vault of Mumbai, swallowed Mumbai, swallowed the patient’s khichdi, swallowed money in the dead body bag, swallowed money in the dammer. Here, the garbage of the Mithi river has also been swallowed.”

Defending his government’s record, Shinde asserted that his administration had restored development and transparency in Mumbai. “When I became the Chief Minister, concrete roads began to be built, beautification began, escapism began, and the metro work restarted. People know who is developing and who is swallowing Mumbai,” he declared.

Shinde also dismissed Thackeray’s allegation that Mumbai was being separated from Maharashtra, calling it an outdated and baseless claim. “This is an old cassette that plays before every election. The people of Maharashtra will not be fooled again,” he said.

With the political temperature rising ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, the bitter exchange between Thackeray and Shinde has once again reignited the fierce battle for control over Mumbai — a city at the heart of Maharashtra’s politics and economy.