In a stunning setback for the newly formed alliance between Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), their joint 'Utkarsh' panel suffered a complete rout, losing all 21 seats in the BEST Employees Cooperative Credit Society election held on August 18, 2025, in Mumbai. The results, finalized late Tuesday night after prolonged counting delayed by heavy rains, dealt a significant blow to the Thackeray cousins—Uddhav and Raj Thackeray—whose collaboration was seen as a test run for a broader alliance ahead of the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and other local body polls in Maharashtra.

Suhas Samant, president of the Sena (UBT)-aligned BEST Kamgar Sena, called the defeat “shocking,” alleging that “money prevailed in this election.” The Utkarsh panel, comprising 18 Sena (UBT) candidates, two from MNS, and one from the Association of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, failed to secure any seats among the 15,000-strong electorate of BEST employees. In contrast, the panel led by union leader Shashank Rao clinched 14 seats, while the BJP-backed Sahakar Samruddhi panel, led by MLC Prasad Lad and supported by Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena, secured the remaining seven (four for BJP, two for Shinde Sena, and one for an SC/ST union).

The election, which saw an 83.69% voter turnout despite heavy rainfall, was marred by controversy. MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande alleged vote-buying, claiming rivals distributed pamphlets with Rs 500 notes, a charge he vowed to raise with the election officer. BJP’s Prasad Lad countered with accusations of financial mismanagement by Sena (UBT) in the credit society, prompting an ongoing Economic Offences Wing probe into a Rs 12.41-crore Lonavala property deal. The BEST Kamgar Sena, which had controlled the 84-year-old cooperative for nine years, lost its grip, raising questions about the Thackeray alliance’s appeal among Mumbai’s Marathi-speaking workforce.

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

The defeat has sparked doubts about the Sena (UBT)-MNS partnership’s viability, with posts on X from @lokmat and @MeghUpdates noting the loss as a sign that the “Thackeray brand” may be losing its hold on the “Marathi Manoos.” Political observers see this as a critical indicator ahead of the BMC elections, where the cash-rich civic body’s control is at stake.

Despite the loss, Sena (UBT) leaders like Sanjay Raut remain vocal about a potential statewide alliance with MNS, though Raj Thackeray has been more reserved.

Also Read: MNS Alleges Vote-Buying in BEST Credit Society Election