Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has launched a sharp attack on the Adani Group's rapid expansion and alleged monopoly, making these claims ahead of the significant civic body elections in Maharashtra. Speaking in Pune and Mumbai, Thackeray asserted that the Adani Group's growth, particularly since 2014, has been unnaturally fast due to favorable government policies, contrasting it with the decades-long rise of other industrial houses like the Tatas and Ambanis. His critique, which included visual presentations mapping Adani's pan-India footprint, highlighted concerns that a single corporate entity controlling essential infrastructure such as airports, ports, power, and cement could render India economically vulnerable. Thackeray also explicitly linked Adani's expansion to the upcoming civic polls, particularly the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, warning the 'Marathi manoos' (Marathi people) that losing control of the BMC could lead to Mumbai's assets being handed over to the conglomerate. These statements are part of a concerted campaign by the Thackeray cousins, Raj and Uddhav, who have reunited after nearly two decades to jointly address rallies. Uddhav Thackeray echoed similar sentiments, accusing the BJP of 'looting' Mumbai and attempting to connect the city to Gujarat for Adani's benefit. The Maharashtra civic polls across 29 municipal corporations, including the high-stakes BMC, are scheduled for January 15, 2026, with results due on January 16, 2026. While the BJP has countered these allegations, with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis defending Adani's investments across various states, the Thackeray cousins' offensive has intensified the political discourse leading up to the elections. The BJP also responded by circulating old photographs of Raj Thackeray with Gautam Adani, calling his current stance 'double standards'. This political narrative is a key element of the electoral battle, emphasizing issues of regional identity, economic control, and government accountability.