Ahead of BMC election 2026, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut says Uddhav and Raj Thackeray’s alliance aims to “save Mumbai”, rebuild public trust, and regain civic dominance with promises of housing, welfare and infrastructure upgrades
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut. File pic
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said that the coming together of the Thackeray cousins for the BMC Election 2026 is aimed to “save Mumbai”.
Raut highlighted that the alliance of Uddhav and Raj Thackeray has “built trust” among the people of the city.
In view of strengthening the position of their party ahead of the civic polls, the two cousins have joined hands to contest the BMC elections together, as per IANS.
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.
Speaking to the media, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said, “The point is, this election is not just about the Thackeray brothers. 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,” as per IANS.
Raut further pointed out that while the city has undergone major changes over the past few years, the Shiv Sena (UBT) and its influence in the civic body remain strong.
Raut also highlighted that the party would once again assert its dominance in the BMC, as it has done for nearly three decades.
Keeping in mind that 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.
Raut, while hailing Uddhav and Raj Thackeray’s alliance for the civic polls, also added, “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,” as cited by news agency IANS.
“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 and the issues and problems that it is facing, then everyone’s first thought is that Shiv Sena will protect us,” the Shiv Sena (UBT) MP added.
Emphasising the public response to the alliance, he added, “The Thackeray brothers uniting has built a trust in the hearts of people.”
Shiv Sena (UBT)-MNS alliance promises affordable housing
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 if they come to power.
The joint manifesto of Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS also mentioned improved 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, reported IANS.
The manifesto was released at a joint press conference held at Shiv Sena Bhawan, an event that marked Raj Thackeray’s return to the party headquarters after nearly 20 years.
(With inputs from IANS)
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