Inclusion of MNS is point of contention among Maha Vikas Aghadi allies; differences arise due to mayoral ambitions in Mahayuti
Uddhav Thackeray, chief of the Shiv Sena (UBT), one of the parties that comprise the Maha Vikas Aghadi. PIC/ASHISH RAJE
Both the ruling Mahayuti alliance and the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) seem internally divided as they prepare for the upcoming local body elections.
Regarding the inclusion of the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) in the MVA, Congress leaders have claimed that their party is independent and free to take decisions on whether to go solo for the local polls. In light of the Marathi language issue, the Thackeray cousins, Uddhav and Raj, buried differences that had existed for 20 years and hinted at a possible alliance for the local body elections, including a high-stakes battle for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
(From left) Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis of the BJP and DCM Eknath Shinde, the head of the Shiv Sena. PIC/KIRTI SURVE PARADE
While the Shiv Sena (UBT) is keen on an alliance with Raj’s party, MVA partner Congress is averse to having any kind of equation with the MNS, as it has been targeting non-Marathi speakers, which Congress feels can damage its vote bank outside Maharashtra. Now, Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray made similar remarks about his party’s autonomy. “Shiv Sena (UBT), too, is an independent party and even I am free to take a call,” he stated.
In 2019, Congress, Shiv Sena (undivided), NCP (undivided), Samajwadi Party (SP) and other smaller parties came together and formed the MVA to prevent the BJP from coming to power in Maharashtra. For the local body polls, excluding Congress, a section of MVA leaders were keen on having MNS on board to further strengthen the Opposition.
Cracks in Mahayuti
Meanwhile, cracks are visible within the ruling parties, too, ahead of elections that are often referred to as mini-Assembly polls.
Local leaders from both Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena and the BJP camp are claiming that their partymen will be the mayors of Mumbai, Thane, and Kalyan-Dombivli.
Shinde’s son Srikant, an MP, and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis are trying to downplay the rift within the ruling alliance by stating that, wherever possible, the Mahayuti would contest as a united front and the mayor would be from the alliance.
The elections to the BMC and 28 other municipal corporations are likely to be held before January 31, 2026, the deadline set by the Supreme Court to conduct all such polls in Maharashtra.
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