07 January,2026 03:57 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
MNS chief Raj Thackeray along with Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Uddhav Thackeray. File pic
With just a few days to go for the BMC Election 2026, Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray, along with MNS chief Raj Thackeray, is gearing up to hold joint public rally in Mumbai's Shivaji Park, sources said.
Uddhav and Raj Thackeray are likely to address a massive public rally at Shivaji Park in Dadar on January 11, they said.
The Thackeray cousins will organise the rally to strengthen their hold ahead of the polls that are scheduled on January 15.
As a part of their campaign strategy, the joint rally by Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS will underscore a rare united front between the two leaders.
The Thackeray cousins, who were sheer political rivals a few months ago, are now standing shoulder to shoulder, campaigning together under a combined banner to challenge the ruling party alliance in the city.
Uddhav and Raj Thackeray's joint appearances come on the back of a recently released alliance manifesto which outlined shared commitments and policy priorities for Mumbai's development.
Earlier on Tuesday, Raj and Uddhav also stepped up in view of campaigning for the BMC Election 2026 by visiting party offices, known as 'shakhas', across Mumbai.
The Thackeray cousins, who were earlier more focused on Shakha visits over large public rallies, have now finally decided to hold a large public rally.
Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS are contesting the BMC elections as part of an alliance with the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction).
Earlier on Tuesday, Raj Thackeray also visited several party offices in Malad, appealing to voters to support candidates of the Shiv Sena (UBT)-MNS-NCP (SP) alliance ahead of the BMC election 2026.
On the other hand, Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray, along with his cousin and MNS leader Amit Thackeray, toured shakhas in Kalina, interacting with party workers and local residents.
In view of strengthening the alliance's hold across the city, Uddhav Thackeray also held similar shakha visits in different parts of the city to mobilise party cadres and seek public support. Party leaders said the focus on shakhas reflects a strategy of direct grassroots engagement rather than mass rallies.
The campaign is expected to intensify further as Mumbai heads into the final days before polling.
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