The war of words began on the very first day (Wednesday) after Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) head Raj Thackeray officially announced their alliance, signalling the start of a high-stakes and bitter battle for Mumbai’s civic body
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and MNS president Raj Thackeray announce their alliance for the upcoming civic elections at the press conference at a hotel in Worli on Wednesday. PIC/ASHISH RAJE
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the Thackeray cousins exchanged sharp words as the political temperature rose ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. The war of words began on the very first day (Wednesday) after Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) head Raj Thackeray officially announced their alliance, signalling the start of a high-stakes and bitter battle for Mumbai’s civic body.
Responding to a media query, Raj Thackeray said the BJP should not lecture others on Hindutva. “There is a video on social media in which Fadnavis is heard saying, ‘Allah Hafiz’,” the MNS chief stated. Raj further warned that he has several such old videos in his possession and warned that whether these are made public or not would depend on how the BJP and its leaders level allegations in the future.
Burying nearly two decades of political differences, Raj and Uddhav Thackeray came together on July 5 over the Hindi language row. Since then, the Thackeray cousins had been hinting at a possible tie-up in the name of Maharashtra’s pride and the Marathi identity.
The speculation ended on December 24, when Raj and Uddhav officially announced their alliance for the polls to the BMC and other municipal corporations scheduled for January 15, 2026. However, leaders from both the MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT) did not disclose details about seat sharing, including how many seats each party would contest or which wards they would fight from.
Referring to recent reports of rising cases of missing and kidnapped children, Raj made a sarcastic comment. “These days, gangs involved in kidnapping children are active. Two more gangs have been added to the list,” he said, indirectly referring to the BJP and the Shiv Sena, alleging they were “kidnapping” political workers. He added that the seat-sharing formula would be announced later.
CM reacts
Responding to Raj’s remarks, Fadnavis said he was born a Hindu and would remain one. “Like other leaders, I do not need to wear a saffron shawl to prove my Hindutva. I also do not change my views or opinions just to gain votes,” Fadnavis said, taking a swipe at Raj. Posters of MNS chief , wearing a saffron shawl, in which he was referred to as the new Hindutva leader in the changing political landscape of Maharashtra had gone viral.
Responding to questions about the BJP and other Opposition parties accusing the Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS of coming together for political gain, Uddhav said the BJP should first introspect. “They should look into their own affairs. We have come together for the pride of the Marathi people and Maharashtra, and we will continue to stay together,” he said. Meanwhile, Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde took digs at the reunion of the Thackeray cousins.
Fadnavis stated that some news channels were telecasting visuals and reporting the reunion event as if it were Russia and Ukraine's leaders coming together for talks. “I feel that the Thackerays have come together for the sake of their survival. The reunion of the cousins and their parties will not have much impact on the upcoming municipal corporation polls and their outcome,” the CM opined.
Deputy CM’s statement
Echoing a similar view, Shinde said, “Everyone knows what the Thackeray cousins have said against each other. Now they have come together for their personal interests, not for the Marathi people or the development of the city.” Meanwhile, Uddhav said they had given up hopes of Congress joining hands with them for the civic polls. However, he clarified that they were still in talks with the Sharad Pawar-led NCP-SP and a decision on whether it would be part of the Sena (UBT)-MNS alliance would be cleared in a day or two.
Besides, the Thackeray cousins and their party leaders, Raj’s wife and son, Sharmila and Amit; Uddhav’s wife and son, Aaditya and Rashmi; and the Thackeray cousins’ maternal uncle, Chandrakant Vaidya alias Chandu Mama, were also present at the Sena (UBT) and MNS chiefs’ press conference.
Uddhav Thackeray calls for unity in Marathi speakers
Uddhav has urged Marathi speakers to stay alert and remain vigilant. On the lines of the ‘Batenge Toh Katenge’ (if we are divided, we will be destroyed) slogan used by the ruling Mahayuti, comprising the BJP, Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena faction and Ajit Pawar’s NCP, during the 2024 Assembly polls, Uddhav coined a similar slogan. “Chukal tar sampal (If Marathi people go wrong, you’ll be broken),” Uddhav said, referring to the BJP and their central leadership’s alleged plans to weaken Mumbai and Maharashtra.
Uddhav also stated, “There are some Marathi people in the BJP who would like to support the fight for Marathi speakers. I would request them also to join the battle for the pride of Marathi.” Meanwhile, Raj stated that only a Marathi Manoos would become the mayor of Mumbai, and they would install their mayor in the BMC.
Reacting to this, senior BJP leader and revenue minister Chandrashekar Bawakule said, “Aren’t we Marathi, too?” Hinting that the Marathi card would not make much impact as those contesting against Sena (UBT) and MNS would be from their community, he said, “Mumbai’s mayor will be Marathi only and from the Mahayuti.”
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