The temple visit is being seen as highly symbolic, coming amid claims by the Thackeray cousins that they are jointly contesting the civic elections to “save Mumbai”
The Thackeray cousins, accompanied by their wives and children, offered prayers to Mumbadevi, who is revered as the patron goddess of the city. Pic/X
A day before the high-stake BMC Election 2026, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray visited the iconic Mumbadevi temple in Mumbai on Wednesday, reported the PTI.
The Thackeray cousins, accompanied by their wives and children, offered prayers to Mumbadevi, who is revered as the patron goddess of the city.
The temple visit is being seen as highly symbolic, coming amid claims by the Thackeray cousins that they are jointly contesting the civic elections to “save Mumbai”. Their appearance together underscores a show of unity ahead of the high-stakes polls.
Senior party leaders join
Senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders and Members of Parliament Anil Desai, Sanjay Raut and Arvind Sawant were also present at the temple along with the Thackeray family members.
Elections to 29 municipal corporations across Maharashtra, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, will be held on Thursday. The counting of votes is scheduled for Friday.
Will never part ways: Uddhav
Meanwhile, the reunion of the two Thackeray cousins for the BMC Election 2026 has raised questions over whether the alliance would be short-lived. Putting an end to speculation, Uddhav Thackeray had last week said that he and Raj Thackeray will never part ways, news agency PTI reported.
While talking to the media, Uddhav had said, “Till the time we came together, people used to ask us as to why we are not coming together. Now they are asking why we have come together and for how long we will stay together."
“These things don't mean a lot. We have come together after much thought and understanding. Now, we will never part ways and stay united,” added the former Maharashtra CM.
Last month, Udhav and Raj had announced to fight the polls together after nearly two decades and announced an alliance for the January 15 civic polls in Mumbai as well as 28 other municipal corporations across Maharashtra.
When asked if Uddhav, the political leader, prevails over Uddhav, the avid photographer, the Sena-UBT chief said, “I am originally an artist. I am the son of a cartoonist (Sena founder Bal Thackeray). You can buy a work of art, but you can't buy art. Art has to be in the blood. I am a person who is at home in the arts."
The Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) chief further recalled that it was Raj's father Shrikant who gave him his first camera and it still holds a very special place in his heart.
When asked if he sees any other political leader who has ‘art in his blood’, Uddhav replied, ‘(PM) Modi is one such person. Do you think of anyone else?’
(With inputs from PTI)
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