Aaditya Thackeray hails Raj–Uddhav reunion ahead of BMC elections 2026

"It is a big day for Maharashtra, and also for all those who are fighting for Maharashtra... Whenever the BJP is about to face defeat, they start talking about religion, money, caste, etc," Aaditya Thackeray told reporters.

Sena UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday called for Marathi unity after his party forged an alliance with Raj Thackeray-led MNS for the upcoming BMC elections 2026, scheduled to be held on January 15, with results announced the next day.

In a post on X, Raj Thackeray said the two parties coming together was not merely about seat sharing, but about "burying the forces that are today attempting to erase the existence of the Marathi people in Mumbai and its surroundings, and tomorrow in other parts of the state."

The MNS chief also assured that Mumbai's mayor will be a Marathi person.

"The Mayor of Mumbai will be a Marathi and will be ours," Raj Thackeray said while addressing a press conference along with his cousin Uddhav.

Fadnavis slams Thackeray cousins

Earlier, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis launched a sharp attack on the Thackeray cousins, saying both had abandoned their ideological viewpoints and were indulging in the politics of opportunism.

"Nothing will happen with their coming together. Nobody will join hands with them in Mumbai. Their track record is one of corruption and self-interest. Uddhav and Raj have no ideological positioning. They indulge in the politics of opportunism," Fadnavis told reporters in Mumbai.

The State Election Commission in Maharashtra has announced elections to 29 municipal corporations across the state, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC). Polling will be held on January 15, with counting scheduled for January 16.

(With inputs from ANI)