Thackeray Brothers Confirm BMC Poll Alliance, Finalise Seat-Sharing: Sanjay Raut
Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) and Raj Thackeray’s MNS unite to consolidate Marathi vote bank ahead of Mumbai civic elections.
New Delhi, Dec 23 ; Ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, the long-anticipated alliance between the Thackeray cousins Uddhav Thackeray of Shiv Sena (UBT) and Raj Thackeray of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has been officially confirmed. Party MP Sanjay Raut termed it a “Manomilan” (Union of Hearts), adding that workers from both parties have embraced the tie up and are actively coordinating at the ground level.
Raut explained that the alliance was effectively forged during the joint opposition of the state government’s decision to introduce Hindi in grade one alongside Marathi and English. He confirmed that the seat-sharing arrangement has been finalised, with a formal announcement on specific seats expected soon.
“The core deal is complete. The question is no longer if we will partner, but how the seats will be distributed. Candidate AB forms are already being issued, and party cadres have been instructed about the alliance,” Raut said, emphasising that there is no internal friction over seat allocation.
Discussions for other municipal corporations, including Nashik, Pune, Kalyan-Dombivli, and Mira-Bhayandar, have concluded. In Mumbai, a consensus has been reached for key wards: the Thackeray faction (UBT) will contest two seats, while MNS will field one candidate. Some remaining deadlocks, such as Ward No. 114 in Bhandup, are being resolved with personal intervention from both Uddhav and Raj Thackeray.
Raut also highlighted ongoing coordination with Jayant Patil of the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) under the Maha Vikas Aghadi framework, while formal talks with Congress remain closed for now. He hinted that Shiv Sena (UBT) remains open to future cooperation with Congress if necessary.
The reunion of the Thackeray brothers, even if political, is seen as a significant development in Maharashtra politics. After years of operating separately, this alliance aims to consolidate the Marathi vote bank and poses a strategic challenge to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and BJP ahead of the BMC elections.
