Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray on Saturday (July 4, 2026) sought action against MumbaiBJP president Ameet Satam after a viral video showed the latter smiling while speaking about rain-related deaths.Also read | Mumbai BJP chief faces flak over remarks on monsoon-related deaths in cityIn a post on Facebook addressing Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Mr. Thackeray said people across the country claim the BJP leadership at the Centre has become arrogant because of power.There has long been resentment among the public over the way those in the Central government conduct themselves, he added."But has this attitude now spread to our State as well? And are you allowing it to spread," Mr. Thackeray asked."One of your MLAs and party office-bearers laughs openly over the deaths of people, and yet not a single disciplinary action has been taken against him. There is a famous saying you have probably heard: 'Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.' If tomorrow someone were to ask for an example illustrating the meaning of this quote, many of your current BJP colleagues would unfortunately serve as perfect examples," Mr. Thackeray said.No one seems to feel any remorse or regret anymore, the MNS chief said while ruing that Mr. Fadnavis has not uttered a single word on the issue."Your silence has emboldened everyone to behave recklessly," the MNS chief said."Your ministers make irresponsible statements almost every day, yet you remain silent. Other leaders openly display insensitivity, and you still say nothing. Had you spoken firmly even once, they would probably not have dared to repeat such behaviour. The fact that they continue to do so suggests that you are not reprimanding them at all. What is the reason for your silence," Mr. Thackeray questioned.He asserted that those who behave so recklessly should be made to resign."Show everyone, just once, that Fadnavis does not hesitate to take strict action against those who behave irresponsibly. The rest will immediately fall in line," the MNS leader claimed.There used to be a world of difference between politics in Maharashtra and politics in many other states of the country, and the thinking, dignity, and statesmanship of Maharashtra's political leaders were admired and respected across India, Mr. Thackeray said."But over the last few years, it has become increasingly evident that we are beginning to compare ourselves with some of the more regressive political cultures in parts of northern India," the MNS chief said."Maharashtra believed that Devendra Fadnavis is a cultured and sensitive Chief Minister. I believed that too. But when such incidents occur, and you do not even express regret or concern, one is compelled to question your sensitivity itself," Mr. Thackeray added.Whenever a political leader in Maharashtra made a mistake or committed a lapse, leaders of their own party never defended them simply because they belonged to the same party, Mr. Thackeray pointed out.Whether it was Bal Thackeray, Sharad Pawar, Pramod Mahajan, or anyone else, Maharashtra's politics earned a distinct reputation across the country for holding its own accountable, he said.Today, the attitude is "he is one of ours, so no matter what he does, stand by him", Mr. Thackeray opined."Don't you think this is tarnishing both your own image and Maharashtra's reputation," he asked.Mr. Satam is facing flak from the opposition for his comments on monsoon-related deaths in the city, after a viral video showed him smiling while speaking about the tragedies.In the video, Mr. Satam is seen with NCP (SP) MLA Jayant Patil on the Vidhan Bhavan steps, saying, “Yesterday, it was because of a tree, today it is a manhole.” An 11-year-old boy was killed due to a tree falling on a school bus, and a 60-year-old man died after falling into an uncovered manhole in the city earlier this week.