BMC elections 2026: Thackeray cousins came together to ‘save Mumbai’, says Sanjay Raut

Sanjay Raut. File Pic

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP and national spokesperson Sanjay Raut on Saturday said that the coming together of the Thackeray cousins for the BMC elections 2026 is aimed at "saving Mumbai" and that their alliance has "built trust" among the people of the city, reported news agency IANS.

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray have joined hands to contest the BMC elections 2026 together.

Joint manifesto ‘Vachan Nama' unveiled

Earlier on Sunday, the two parties unveiled their joint manifesto titled ‘Vachan Nama', which prominently features photographs of the Thackeray cousins along with Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray.

‘Mumbai is like a country in itself,' says Raut

Speaking to IANS on the significance of the BMC elections 2026, Raut said, "The point is, this election is not just about the Thackeray cousins. Mumbai is a city that is like a country in itself. Mumbai is often referred to as the financial capital of the country, and additionally, it serves as the capital of Maharashtra. And, in the capital of Maharashtra, Balasaheb Thackeray and the Shiv Sena have always been in power."

Shiv Sena confident of retaining dominance in BMC

He further pointed out that while the city has undergone major changes over the past few years, the Shiv Sena's influence in the civic body remains strong.

Raut maintained that the party would once again assert its dominance in the BMC, as it has done for nearly three decades.

History of Sena-BJP alliance in civic body

However, notably, the Shiv Sena has never secured an absolute majority on its own in the civic body. For most of its tenure in the BMC, the party governed Mumbai in alliance with the BJP, which remained its junior partner until the two parted ways in 2014.

"These elections are being conducted after seven years; the entire demography of the state has changed; the entire city has changed. However, Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray have come together to save Mumbai," the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader told IANS.

‘Every section of Mumbai stands with Shiv Sena'

"Shiv Sena has always been there to protect the Maharashtrians. Every section of Mumbai is with Shiv Sena. Whenever there is a talk about Mumbai, its issues and problems that it is facing, then everyone's first thought is that Shiv Sena will protect us," Raut said.

Emphasising the public response to the alliance, he added, "Thackeray cousins uniting has built a trust in the hearts of people."

Affordable housing, infrastructure push in manifesto

Meanwhile, in their joint manifesto, the Thackeray cousins have promised affordable housing and major improvements in infrastructure, including healthcare facilities, public transport and the education sector.

The document also includes welfare measures for women, with a proposal to provide a monthly allowance of Rs 1,500 to women employed as domestic workers and Koli women under the proposed ‘Swabhiman Nidhi' scheme.

Raj Thackeray returns to Sena Bhavan after 20 years

The manifesto was released at a joint press conference held at Shiv Sena Bhavan, an event that marked Raj Thackeray's return to the party headquarters after nearly two decades.

Raj Thackeray had quit the Shiv Sena in 2005 following differences with his cousin Uddhav Thackeray over the future leadership of the party, after Balasaheb Thackeray handed over the reins to his son.

(With inputs from IANS)