I oppose growing monopoly of Adani group; not development: Raj Thackeray

The war of words over projects awarded to the Adani Group continues, as Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) Chief Raj Thackeray clarified on Tuesday (January 13, 2026) that he never opposed development, but rather the “growing monopoly of a single industrialist”.

“From cement to steel, the projects in all the sectors are given to one corporate entity, which is the Adani group. Granting them the monopoly means allowing them to hold disproportionate weightage over the country,” said Raj Thackeray while speaking to mediapersons in Maharashtra’s Pune district.

Mr. Raj Thackeray was responding to Mr. Fadnavis’ accusation that the MNS and the Shiv Sena (UBT) are against the development of Maharashtra. While countering the Raj Thackeray and Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Uddhav Thackeray’s claims of Adani group capturing the land in Maharashtra in Mahayuti’s public meeting held on Monday (January 12, 2026) at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park, Mr. Fadnavis said it was “Uddhav Thackeray, who did the Adanikaran and what is wrong in getting investment in Maharashtra, as they bring employment”.

The allegations and counter allegations started after Mr. Raj Thackeray on Sunday (January 11, 2026) showed a video reflecting on projects and land parcels given to Adani group between 2014 and 2025, sparking outrage from the BJP and the Shiv Sena.

Mr. Raj Thackeray raised concerns around who is financing the Adani-led businesses, asking, “From where did Adani get finance to set up new businesses. Which bank and institution were forced to finance them? If this gets deeper, then jobs will be in danger, the country will be damaged, and it will come to a standstill.”

He pointed out that in the last 10 years, he had become the second-largest player in the cement sector, which was never his area of work, and stated, “He took over the players like Ambuja Cement and others.”

Citing the example of the recent fiasco of Indigo Airlines, Mr. Raj Thackeray said, “The government-controlled airports and ports are handed to the Adani group. Except for Navi Mumbai airport, none of them are developed by Adani. Nearly 65% operations were given to Indigo Airlines, and look what happened, the citizens had a horrifying experience when it came to a standstill.”