The Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS on Tuesday, without sharing the details of alliance announcement, announced a joint press conference scheduled for December 24 at 12 noon at Hotel Blue Sea, Worli Sea Face in Mumbai
The announcement was shared on X by the MNS, along with pictures of party chiefs Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray. Pic/X (@mnsadhikrut)
The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) and Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) are likely to formally announce their alliance for the upcoming BMC Elections 2025 on Wednesday.
The Mumbai civic elections will be held on January 15.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS on Tuesday, without sharing the details of alliance announcement, announced a joint press conference scheduled for December 24 at 12 noon at Hotel Blue Sea, Worli Sea Face in Mumbai.
The announcement was shared on social media platform X by the MNS, along with pictures of party chiefs Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray.
#पत्रकारपरिषद #मुंबई #मराठी #महाराष्ट्र #MNSAdhikrut pic.twitter.com/k9WCLxQ8CW
— MNS Adhikrut - मनसे अधिकृत (@mnsadhikrut) December 23, 2025
Social media hints fuel speculation
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut also hinted at the announcement by sharing a throwback photograph of the Thackeray cousins from July 27, when Raj Thackeray visited Uddhav Thackeray at his Bandra residence. The caption read simply: “Tomorrow at 12 o’clock.”
Seat-sharing talks
The expected alliance follows weeks of intense discussions between leaders of both parties to finalise seat-sharing arrangements for elections to 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
Party leaders said the formal announcement was delayed as Raj Thackeray wanted seat-sharing talks to be completed before making the alliance official. Differences reportedly existed over seat allocation in areas such as Dadar, Mahim, Borivali, Vikhroli, Bhandup, and Sewri.
Focus beyond Mumbai
While Mumbai remains the primary focus, the Shiv Sena (UBT)-MNS alliance is also expected to contest civic polls in Thane, Kalyan-Dombivli, Nashik and other cities. Municipal elections across 29 cities in Maharashtra will be held on January 15.
उद्या
— Sanjay Raut (@rautsanjay61) December 23, 2025
१२ वाजता
हॉटेल ब्लू सी
वरळी pic.twitter.com/k2O590ftO4
The alliance comes in the backdrop of poor performance by both parties in the 2024 Assembly elections. Shiv Sena (UBT) won only 20 seats, while the MNS failed to win a single seat.
Efforts to reunite the estranged cousins began soon after. On July 5, Uddhav and Raj Thackeray shared a public stage for the first time in nearly 20 years at a rally in Worli, celebrating the rollback of the state government’s decision to introduce Hindi as a third language in primary schools.
Past differences set aside
Raj Thackeray left the undivided Shiv Sena in 2005 following differences with Uddhav Thackeray and formed the MNS. Relations between the two remained strained for years, but changing political realities appear to have pushed them towards unity.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
