Addressing a joint press conference, the two leaders did not specify the list of civic bodies where the alliance would contest, nor did they disclose seat-sharing details for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)
Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray. Pic/Ashish Raje
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) founder Raj Thackeray on Wednesday formally announced an alliance for the upcoming BMC elections 2026, signalling a major political realignment aimed at consolidating the Marathi vote bank and challenging the BJP-led Mahayuti.
The cousins arrived together at the press conference venue in the same car after paying tribute to Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray at his memorial at Chhatrapati Shivaji Park in Dadar — an image-heavy gesture underscoring political reconciliation after decades of rivalry.
Addressing a joint press conference, the two leaders did not specify the list of civic bodies where the alliance would contest, nor did they disclose seat-sharing details for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Raj Thackeray, however, asserted that the next Mayor of Mumbai would be a “Marathi Manoos” from the alliance.
MNS chief Raj Thackeray said, “The moment that Maharashtra was waiting for a long time — that Shiv Sena and MNS should come together — today we are officially announcing the same.”
Raj Thackeray reiterated, “Maharashtra is bigger than any quarrel. We are announcing that our alliance has been formed. The Mayor of Mumbai will be a Marathi and will be ours.”
The coming together of the two parties signals that identity politics is set to once again hold sway in Maharashtra. Uddhav Thackeray made it clear that the interests and needs of the Marathi Manoos would be prioritised, adding that the cause of Maharashtra had been kept above all else.
We have come together to stay together: Uddhav Thackeray
Uddhav Thackeray said the alliance was forged to protect the identity of Mumbai and Maharashtra. “We have come together to stay together and to foil attempts to divide Mumbai or isolate it from Maharashtra,” he said, urging the Marathi Manoos to remain united and resist pressure.
He added that anyone committed to protecting Maharashtra — including like-minded individuals within the BJP — was welcome to support the alliance. He also noted that the Congress had decided to go solo, reiterating that the UBT-MNS tie-up was independent of that decision.
The alliance is widely seen as a strategic bid to counter the BJP-led Mahayuti, particularly in Mumbai, where the Marathi vote has fragmented since the 2022 split in the Shiv Sena. By projecting a unified Thackeray front, the two leaders aim to reclaim the traditional Shiv Sainik base.
After suffering setbacks in the 2024 Assembly elections, both parties are now fighting for political relevance. The alliance directly challenges Eknath Shinde’s claim to Bal Thackeray’s legacy and poses a major hurdle for the BJP-Shinde combine’s ambitions in the BMC.
Together, the cousins are betting that the “Thackeray brand” can still shape Mumbai’s political pulse.
The Maharashtra State Election Commission has announced elections to 29 municipal corporations across the state, including the BMC, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC). Polling will be held on January 15, with counting scheduled for January 16.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
