22 December,2025 04:53 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Party leaders from Uddhav Thackeray`s Shiv Sena (UBT) and Raj Thackeray`s MNS have also previously held talks on alliance. File Pic
Last-minute discussions between Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) continued on Monday as both parties attempted to finalise an alliance for the upcoming BMC Elections 2026, reported the PTI.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections in Mumbai are scheduled for next month.
Despite repeated claims from leaders on both sides that talks had concluded, no formal announcement regarding a pre-poll alliance has been made so far.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut met MNS president Raj Thackeray on Monday. Separately, senior MNS leader Bala Nandgaonkar visited Matoshri, the residence of Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, for further discussions.
Both Raut and Nandgaonkar are regarded as close confidants of their respective party leaders, underlining the seriousness of the negotiations.
According to sources, the talks have hit a roadblock over seat-sharing arrangements in key pockets of Mumbai where both parties command considerable support. These include Dadar, Sewree, Vikhroli and Bhandup.
Disagreements over contesting candidates in these strategically important areas have so far prevented the two sides from reaching a final agreement.
Earlier, Sanjay Raut on Saturday met Raj Thackeray amid ongoing discussions between the two parties on seat-sharing for the Mumbai civic elections.
This was Raut's second visit to Shivtirth, Raj Thackeray's residence in Dadar, within the past three days, underscoring the intensity of the negotiations.
Elections to 29 municipal corporations across Maharashtra, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, are set to be held on 15 January.
On Friday, senior MNS leader Nitin Sardesai had said that alliance talks between the two parties, led by cousins Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray, were in their final stages, though it remained uncertain when an official announcement would be made.
Earlier the same day, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anil Parab had also met Raj Thackeray as part of the ongoing discussions.
The filing of nomination papers for the BMC elections is set to begin on Tuesday and will continue until 30 December.
Polling for 29 municipal corporations across Maharashtra, including Mumbai, is scheduled for January 15, with the counting of votes to take place the following day.
(with PTI inputs)
