The Rajya Sabha MP acknowledged that the Congress, a Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) ally of the Shiv Sena (UBT), has expressed reservations about aligning with the MNS. However, there was no bitterness between the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Congress despite the lack of an alliance in Mumbai, he asserted
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut. File Pic
Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Sanjay Raut on Sunday said talks with the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) were in their final stages and that an official announcement on an alliance for the upcoming municipal corporation polls would be made in the next two to three days, news agency PTI reported.
Speaking to reporters during the counting of votes for the local body elections, Raut said Sunday’s discussions were likely the last round of talks.
“This, we believe, is the last meeting. In two-three days there will be an official announcement,” he said, referring to the proposed alliance with the MNS.
#WATCH | Mumbai, Maharashtra: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut says, "The series of meetings has concluded; meetings were held between Shiv Sena and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena. Our alliance will be announced by tomorrow or the day after, including details of how many seats each… pic.twitter.com/6jFu63CCk3
— ANI (@ANI) December 21, 2025
Elections to 29 municipal corporations, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), are scheduled for January 15, with counting to take place the following day.
Raut acknowledged that the Congress, a Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) ally of the Shiv Sena (UBT), has expressed reservations about aligning with the MNS.
“The Congress has expressed its reservation over Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). We tried to convince the Congress that to defeat the BJP, it is necessary to come together. However, efforts are on to convince them,” he said, adding that there was no bitterness between the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Congress despite the lack of an alliance in Mumbai.
“There is no bad blood among us,” stated Raut.
On Saturday, All-India Congress Committee General Secretary and Maharashtra in-charge Ramesh Chennithala said there was strong pressure from party workers for the party to contest the BMC polls independently.
“We will fight the polls on issues of common Mumbaikars like pollution, healthcare, and corruption. Mumbaikars should give us a chance to serve them well. The Congress is firm on contesting polls independently to protect the secular fabric of the metropolis,” Chennithala had said.
Opposition alleges poll body bias, money power after Mahayuti’s local body poll gains
The opposition Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) on Sunday largely conceded defeat in the elections to municipal councils and nagar panchayats, accusing the State Election Commission of “facilitating” the victory of the ruling Mahayuti.
Counting of votes for the posts of president and members in 286 municipal councils and nagar panchayats, held in two phases, began on Sunday morning. In several places, Mahayuti allies – the BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) – contested against each other, while alliances and “friendly fights” were also seen among MVA constituents, including the Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) and Congress.
State Congress President Harshwardhan Sapkal congratulated party candidates who won municipal president and councillor posts, but in a terse remark “congratulated” the state election commission for “helping” the ruling Mahayuti alliance, PTI reported.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut alleged tampering of electronic voting machines and said the Mahayuti’s victory was aided by a “hailstorm” of money that the opposition could not withstand.
(With PTI and ANI inputs)
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