Uddhav leaves MVA alliance status open-ended as Raj’s growing proximity sparks talk of Sena-MNS tie-up; On Thursday, Uddhav Thackeray was asked about the possibility of an alliance with his cousin Raj and whether Shiv Sena (UBT) would remain part of the INDIA bloc and MVA
MNS leader Raj Thackeray (right) met Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray on July 27 at Matoshree to wish him on his 65th birthday. File pic/By Special Arrangement
The political landscape in Maharashtra is poised for a shake-up. With the Thackeray cousins likely to join hands ahead of the local body elections, there is speculation over whether the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) will expand to include Raj Thackeray or if Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) will walk out of the alliance to align with the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) instead.
On Thursday, Uddhav Thackeray was asked about the possibility of an alliance with his cousin Raj and whether Shiv Sena (UBT) would remain part of the INDIA bloc and MVA. In response, Uddhav said, “No one has put such terms and conditions before us.”
Uddhav is currently on a three-day visit to Delhi. On the second day, during a media interaction, he left everyone wondering about the future of the MVA.
When asked about the possibility of the two Thackeray cousins coming together, Uddhav remarked, “We both (read: Uddhav and Raj) are capable of making decisions. I don't think there is a need for anyone else (read: a third party) in this.”
On July 5, the estranged cousins appeared to have buried their differences as they came together for a victory gathering. The event celebrated the state government's decision to withdraw the proposal for compulsory learning of third languages — especially Hindi — from Std I to V in all schools across Maharashtra.
At the gathering, Uddhav said, “We have come together to stay together forever and remain united to protect Marathi.”
Speaking before Uddhav at the same event, Raj said, “Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis managed to do what the late Shiv Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray could not — bring Raj and Uddhav together.” Since then, talks of a possible reunion between MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT) have been gaining ground. These speculations intensified after Raj Thackeray visited Matoshree on July 27 to greet Uddhav on his birthday.
If Uddhav and Raj do come together, it could significantly alter Maharashtra’s political equations. Either Raj will have to be included in the MVA, or Uddhav may have to exit the alliance for the local polls. The MVA currently includes the Shiv Sena (UBT faction), the Sharad Pawar-led NCP, Congress, Samajwadi Party, AAP, and the Communist Party.
However, given the MNS’s strong stance against non-Marathi-speaking communities, the chances of Raj being accepted into the MVA, particularly by the Congress, appear slim.
The elections for the BMC and 28 other municipal corporations are expected to be held by the end of 2025 or in early 2026. In Mumbai, there are 227 corporator seats.
In 2017, the undivided Shiv Sena won 84 seats, while the BJP bagged 82. The MNS secured seven seats, but within a few months, six corporators defected to Uddhav’s camp.
From having 27 corporators in 2012, the MNS saw its numbers drop to just seven in 2017, and by the end of that year, only one remained as the rest had joined the undivided Shiv Sena.
July 27
Day Raj visited Matoshree to wish Uddhav
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