04 January,2026 02:42 PM IST | Mumbai | Eeshanpriya MS
Pic/Atul Kamble
The Shiv Sena (UBT), the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), and the Nationalist Congress Party (SP) on Sunday released their joint manifesto for the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections at Shiv Sena Bhavan on Sunday afternoon.
MNS chief Raj Thackeray and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray were present on the podium for the occasion. Notably, the NCP (SP) did not have any leader on the dais. However, Vidya Chavan, chief spokesperson of the NCP, was present at the event. Addressing the gathering, Raj Thackeray said that he had entered Shiv Sena Bhavan after 20 years.
"There is constant reference to me coming here after two decades, as if I have been released from jail after 20 years and returned home. Today, I am seeing the new Shiv Sena Bhavan for the first time. All my memories are associated with the old Shiv Sena Bhavan, which I recall with fondness. Today, we are releasing a joint manifesto of the Shiv Sena (UBT), MNS, and NCP (SP)," he said.
Uddhav Thackeray, in his address, said he was repeatedly asked how he felt about Raj Thackeray entering Shiv Sena Bhavan after 20 years. "I feel very happy. Today marks the beginning of a new wave of inspiration in Maharashtra, and on this occasion, we are presenting a joint manifesto," he said.
Speaking at the event, Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sanjay Raut said, "Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray coming together is a symbol of an undivided Hindu family. The Thackeray family now has a joint manifesto, joint rallies, joint press conferences, and joint statements."
Speaking at the joint manifesto release of the Shiv Sena (UBT), MNS and NCP (SP) for the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday demanded that a criminal case be filed against Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar for allegedly misusing his position to benefit the BJP.
Thackeray also called for Narwekar's immediate removal as Speaker and demanded re-elections in all areas where candidates were elected unopposed.
Addressing the media, Thackeray said, "This is jhundshahi. What is happening today cannot be called lokshahi. Earlier, we spoke about attempts to steal votes. Now, they have started stealing candidates as well. Maharashtra has never seen such politicians before."
"Whether it is Kalyan-Dombivli or Thane, capturing elections without any opposition is an insult to the people and to democracy," he added.
Referring to Narwekar, Thackeray said, "The Speaker of the Vidhan Sabha has authority only within the House. As an elected representative, he has repeatedly misused his authority. The Election Commission must take note of his actions and remove him from the post."
"He cannot campaign for any political party - this is an unwritten but well-understood rule. Criminal action must be taken against him," Thackeray said.
"Even ministers cannot campaign in the capacity of their office. The Speaker has the authority to withdraw someone's security only within the Vidhan Sabha. He cannot exercise that authority outside," Thackeray added.
Last week, a video that went viral on social media allegedly showed Narwekar threatening election candidates while they were filing nomination papers.
In the video, he is purportedly heard saying, "I will have to remove your police protection tomorrow."
Thackeray also demanded that the Election Commission investigate the call recordings of returning officers.
Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut had earlier alleged that CCTV footage related to the filing of nominations on December 30 at a returning officer's office had gone missing.
Speaking about re-elections in constituencies where candidates were elected unopposed, Thackeray said, "Wherever unopposed elections have taken place, re-elections must be conducted, just as they were during the Nagar Parishad elections."
"Otherwise, the State Election Commission will appear to be a servant of the ruling party and cannot claim to be a protector of democracy," he said.
On Friday, BJP spokesperson Keshav Upadhye said in a post on X, "BJP's winning streak continues, with 68 corporators from the BJP and the grand alliance elected unopposed."
Upadhye said 44 BJP corporators were elected unopposed across eight municipal corporations, with the highest number from the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation.
Unopposed corporators were also elected in Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Panvel, Bhiwandi, Dhule, Jalgaon and Ahilyanagar, Upadhye said.
Following the BJP, 22 Shiv Sena corporators and two Nationalist Congress Party corporators were also elected unopposed, he added.
