11 January,2026 10:27 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Uddhav and Raj Thackeray at Shivaji Park on Sunday. Pic/Rane Ashish
Ahead of the BMC Election 2026, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday evening addressed a large gathering while sharing the stage at Shivaji Park with his cousin Raj Thackeray after over 20 years and alleged that the BJP does not want Shiv Sena (UBT) because it will not allow them to 'swallow' Mumbai.
Uddhav further alleged that the BJP's Hindutva and nationalism were fake.
Speaking at a joint election rally named âShivshakti' ahead of the BMC polls, Uddhav Thackeray said that the coming together of the Thackeray cousins was driven by concern for the state and its capital.
The two leaders along with their sons Amit Thackeray and Aaditya Thackeray, and senior party leaders addressed a huge rally at Shivaji Park in Mumbai on Sunday evening.
"We have buried our differences for the Marathi manoos, for Hindus and for Maharashtra," Uddhav Thackeray said, addressing a large crowd.
Uddhav strongly criticised the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing it of dividing society ahead of every election.
"The BJP plays Hindu-Muslim and Marathi-non-Marathi politics whenever elections approach," he alleged.
He said such politics weakens Maharashtra and distracts people from real civic issues such as housing, infrastructure and employment.
The rally marked a rare moment in Maharashtra politics, as Uddhav and Raj Thackeray addressed a public gathering together after more than 20 years. The two leaders had earlier shared a stage in Nashik, where they formally announced their political alliance.
Both leaders stressed the need to protect Mumbai's interests, the Marathi identity, and democratic values. The joint rally is seen as a key development ahead of the upcoming municipal corporation elections, particularly the high-stakes BMC polls.
Speaking after Raj Thackeray, Uddhav questioned whether the BJP intended to rename Mumbai as âBombay', referring to remarks made earlier by Tamil Nadu BJP leader K Annamalai.
Uddhav also accused the BJP of resorting to divisive politics ahead of elections and claimed that its commitment to Hindutva and nationalism was not genuine.
"The BJP has now become one that believes in âcorruption first' instead of ânation first'," Uddhav Thackeray alleged.
