India, Oct. 3 -- Sounding the bugle for local body elections at his party's Dussehra rally on Thursday, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray said he will stick with Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray to avoid splitting the strength of the Marathi manoos and to prevent Mumbai from "slipping into the pockets of traders".

Thackeray came down heavily on prime minister Narendra Modi and chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, saying the BJP has ignored governance and is busy fomenting Hindu-Muslim trouble. He also slammed Modi, saying, "PM Modi is a shameless person who compared India-Pakistan war with India-Pakistan cricket match."

Thousands of supporters braved the rain to attend the rally at Shivaji Park, a Dussehra traditio...