At the annual Shiv Sena (UBT) Dussehra rally, Uddhav Thackeray strongly criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its version of Hindutva. He asserted his divergence from the party's ideology, stating that his split from the BJP was due to disagreements over their interpretation of Hindutva. He urged the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to reconsider its stance on the BJP's "hybrid" version of Hindutva.

Thackeray, who maintains loyalty to the ideals of his father, Bal Thackeray, assured his followers of a robust political comeback ahead of the Maharashtra assembly elections. He emphasized the potential for a "Shiv Shahi" government while condemning the current Eknath Shinde-led administration for its governance. He also pledged to scrap decisions favoring builders and discussed plans to revive Maharashtra's past glory by constructing Shivaji Maharaj temples in every district.

Thackeray accused the BJP of arrogance, comparing it to the Kauravas from the Mahabharata. He stated that the BJP should be ashamed of calling itself "Bharatiya" because it no longer belongs to the people. He questioned why the BJP or Modi didn't save Hindutva in the last 10 years and attacked the BJP for raising the Hindutva issue to divert attention from poverty, unemployment and inflation.

Thackeray also spoke about the Dharavi slum redevelopment project, announcing that the tender awarded to Gautam Adani's firm would be scrapped if his party came to power in Maharashtra. He invoked late industrialist Ratan Tata and shared a personal memory of Tata, recalling a conversation in which Tata emphasized the shared legacies they carried forward.

In response, Eknath Shinde said that there was now no difference between Uddhav's Shiv Sena-UBT and Asaduddin Owaisi-led All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen. Shinde defended his split from Shiv Sena and credited PM Modi for Marathi's classical status. He also countered Thackeray's Dharavi redevelopment project claims, promising improved housing.