Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut declared on Monday that the alliance between his party and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), led by Raj Thackeray, is set to be a game-changer for the upcoming civic elections, particularly for the high-stakes Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls. Describing the partnership as one forged with “heart and mind,” Raut emphasized that the bond between the Thackeray cousins—Uddhav and Raj—is not merely political but deeply personal, rooted in shared vision and unwavering commitment to Mumbai’s Marathi identity.
The announcement follows a pivotal meeting between Uddhav Thackeray, the Shiv Sena (UBT) chief, and his cousin Raj Thackeray, MNS president, on Sunday at Uddhav’s iconic residence, ‘Matoshree,’ in Bandra. The cousins, whose relationship was once strained, have now reconciled, meeting publicly for the fifth time since July 5, 2025. Their latest discussion, sparked during the naming ceremony of Raut’s grandchild, quickly turned political, laying the groundwork for a strategic alliance aimed at dominating the civic polls expected by year-end.
Raut, speaking to reporters in Mumbai, exuded confidence about the alliance’s potential to reshape the city’s future. “This isn’t just a political pact—it’s an alliance of tan-mann-dhan (body, mind, and wealth),” he said, underscoring the emotional and ideological synergy between the two parties. Taking a sharp jab at the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Raut vowed, “Mumbai’s next mayor will be a true Marathi, draped in real saffron, not someone who bows to Delhi’s dictates.” His remarks signal a bold intent to reclaim Mumbai’s civic leadership from the BJP, which has faced criticism for its handling of the BMC’s vast resources.
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The Shiv Sena (UBT)-MNS alliance is strategically timed to capitalize on the cousins’ shared legacy of championing Marathi pride, a cause deeply resonant with Mumbai’s voters. While Raut clarified that the discussions primarily focus on the civic polls, he left the door open for broader collaboration, noting Raj Thackeray’s cordial ties with leaders of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), the opposition coalition comprising Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). When pressed on whether MNS would formally join the MVA, Raut deferred to Raj, saying, “Only he can answer that. But our ties with MVA leaders are strong, and discussions are progressing.”
However, an MNS leader downplayed the political angle of Sunday’s meeting, claiming Raj’s visit to Matoshree was a courtesy call tied to a nearby event. Despite this, Raut’s remarks suggest intense behind-the-scenes negotiations, with local-level talks underway to finalize seat-sharing arrangements across Maharashtra’s 27 civic bodies, including the cash-rich BMC, which commands an annual budget of over ₹50,000 crore. “Each civic body has its own political dynamics, so we’re meticulously discussing every seat and panel,” Raut explained, highlighting the complexity of forging a united front.
The alliance marks a significant reunion for the Thackeray cousins, whose past rift—stemming from Raj’s formation of MNS in 2006 after parting ways with Shiv Sena—had long divided their voter base. Their reconciliation, fueled by a shared disdain for the BJP’s dominance and a desire to restore Marathi influence in Mumbai, has sent shockwaves through the state’s political circles. Analysts predict the partnership could disrupt the BJP’s grip on the BMC, which it has controlled indirectly through alliances since 1997.
The BMC elections, expected by December 2025, are a high-stakes battleground, with the corporation’s vast resources and influence over Mumbai’s infrastructure making it a coveted prize. The Sena-MNS alliance aims to leverage their combined grassroots strength and emotive rhetoric to sway voters, particularly in Marathi-speaking strongholds like Dadar, Worli, and Borivali. Raut’s vision of a “real saffron” mayor underscores the alliance’s intent to project a fierce regional identity against the BJP’s national narrative.
As discussions progress, both parties are treading carefully to ensure their alliance resonates with voters without alienating MVA partners. The MVA, formed to contest state assembly elections, may require a new formula for civic polls, as Raut hinted, suggesting flexibility in negotiations. Meanwhile, the BJP has dismissed the alliance as a “desperate move” by the Thackerays to regain relevance, setting the stage for a fierce electoral showdown.
With Mumbai’s civic future hanging in the balance, the Sena-MNS partnership promises to inject fresh energy into the city’s politics, blending nostalgia for Shiv Sena’s fiery past with MNS’s regional fervor. As the cousins unite “from heart and mind,” their alliance could redefine Mumbai’s power dynamics, making the upcoming polls a battle to watch.
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