Thackeray Brand Rejected in BEST Poll Rout: Fadnavis

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis declared that the crushing defeat of the Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) alliance in the BEST Employees Cooperative Credit Society election signals a public rejection of the "Thackeray brand." Speaking to reporters in Pune, Fadnavis took a swipe at the Thackeray cousins, Uddhav and Raj, for politicizing the poll, which saw their joint 'Utkarsh' panel lose all 21 seats on August 18, 2025.

The election, a key test for the Thackeray-led alliance ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls, saw panels backed by BJP leaders Shashank Rao and Prasad Lad dominate, securing 14 and 7 seats, respectively.

Fadnavis emphasized that the Mahayuti coalition, comprising the BJP and Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena, avoided politicizing the credit society election, unlike the Thackeray factions. “They made tall claims that the Thackeray brand would win, but the people rejected it,” he said, pointing to the 83.69% voter turnout as a reflection of public sentiment.

The defeat is a significant blow to Uddhav and Raj Thackeray, who were exploring a broader alliance to challenge the BJP-Shinde combine in upcoming civic elections. Posts on X echoed Fadnavis’s sentiments, with users calling the result a “clean sweep” and a sign that “Marathi Manoos is done with them.” However, some criticized the BJP for allegedly using money to influence voters, a claim raised by MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande.

Also Read: Sena (UBT)-MNS Alliance Crumbles in BEST Credit Society Poll

Fadnavis’s remarks underscore the shifting political landscape in Mumbai, where the Thackeray legacy, once dominant in the BEST Kamgar Sena, faces growing challenges.

Also Read: Sena (UBT)-MNS Alliance Faces Test in BEST Credit Society Election