Mumbai: In a significant political development just weeks before the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, cousins Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray have formally announced an alliance between their respective parties — Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) — to contest the upcoming civic polls together.
Once estranged and political rivals for nearly two decades, the two leaders took to the stage in Mumbai on Wednesday, declaring that their factions will fight the January 15 civic elections jointly. The BMC polls are widely seen as a key battleground in Maharashtra politics, given the corporation’s status as the richest municipal body in the country.
Reacting to the development, Devendra Fadnavis reportedly said that the alliance would have no impact. “The alliance is between two parties that have lost their identity. People don’t trust them. They have lost their vote bank by doing politics of appeasement. Coming together of these two parties will have no impact. Both the parties have joined hands to save their identity. People of Mumbai have seen development work done by us and that is why Mumbai is with us and will remain so. Mahayuti will win Mumbai,” the Maharashtra chief minister, Devendra Fadnavis, said, reported Hindustan Times.
“The hype is being created in such a way as if Russia and Ukraine have come together… and Zelenskyy and Putin are talking,” he said as quoted by Hindustan Times.
Uddhav Thackeray echoed the sentiment of unity, stressing the significance of the alliance and the historic nature of their cooperation after years of political differences. The cousins’ reunion follows earlier gestures of reconciliation, including a joint appearance in July this year, when both leaders stood together to oppose the proposed introduction of Hindi as a third language in schools — an issue that resonated with their shared emphasis on Marathi pride and identity.
While the alliance has been announced, final details on seat distribution for the BMC and other civic bodies are still being worked out, with talks ongoing between the parties.
Political observers say the move marks a notable shift in regional dynamics, with the reunited Thackeray factions aiming to consolidate support ahead of the civic polls and challenge rival political formations in Maharashtra.
