BMC election results 2026: Nitesh Rane mocks Uddhav Thackeray and Aaditya Thackeray with penguin jibe after Mumbai poll drubbing

Maharashtra minister and BJP leader Nitesh Rane mocked Uddhav Thackeray and his son Aditya Thackeray after trends showed victory tot BJP alliance in Mumbai’s Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. Celebrating the BJP-led Mahayuti’s strong performance, Rane shared a video taking a pengunie jibe at the Thackeray father and son.

Viral video triggers political buzz

Rane posted a 22-second video on X in which he was seen laughing loudly while taking a swipe at Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders Uddhav and Aaditya Thackeray. In the clip, he mockingly said, “Uddhavji ani penguin la… Jai Shri Ram,” a remark that went viral within minutes and triggered backlash from opposition leaders.

The video surfaced as trends showed the BJP and its ally Shiv Sena moving ahead in the Mumbai civic race, adding fuel to an already charged political atmosphere.

Rane credits BJP leadership

Speaking to the media later, Rane kept his aggressive tone intact and credited the BJP’s performance to senior leaders in the state. “Under their leadership, we are fully prepared to install our mayor in municipal corporations across Maharashtra,” he said, as quoted by TV9 Marathi.

He specifically praised Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and senior leader Ravindra Chavan for steering the party’s campaign and strategy.

Thanks to voters, sharp words for rivals

Rane also thanked voters for backing the Mahayuti alliance and claimed the civic poll results had sent a clear political message across Maharashtra. However, his comments included several controversial remarks aimed at the Sena UBT, further raising tensions in the post-election phase.

Hindutva pitch amid counting

Earlier in the day, Rane hailed the BJP–Shiv Sena-led Mahayuti’s surge in the BMC elections and invoked a strong Hindutva line. Reacting to early results, he posted in Hindi, "Jo Hindu ki baat karega wo Maharashra pe raj karenga (Those who speak for Hindu interests will rule Maharashtra.)," followed by "Jai Shri Ram".

As results continue to unfold, Rane’s statements and social media posts have ensured that the political spotlight remains firmly on Mumbai’s civic battle.