BMC Polls: Uddhav Thackeray Hints At Possible Alliance With MNS; Seeks Advice From Ex-Corporators

With only a couple of months left to crucial Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray held a closed-door meeting with former party corporators at Sena Bhavan on Tuesday.

According to the reports, Uddhav Thackeray has sought advice on poll strategy, internal unity, and a potential alliance with Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).

🔍 Alliance With MNS on the Table

According to party insiders, Uddhav raised a key question during the meeting - whether the party should explore an alliance with the MNS. The proposal reportedly received strong backing from the former corporators.

"The mood in Mumbai is favourable for such an alliance," several attendees were quoted as saying. The belief among the cadre is that a tie-up with MNS could unify the Marathi vote and counter the BJP's urban dominance in Mumbai.

🗣️ Uddhav's Measured Response

While acknowledging the positive feedback, Uddhav adopted a cautious tone.

"I will take a final decision on any alliance only after taking you all into confidence," he told the gathering. He urged workers to stay united, disciplined, and loyal as the party prepares for a challenging electoral battle.

He also confirmed that more internal consultations will be held in the coming weeks as strategies are firmed up.

🔙 A Complex Past: Sena and MNS

The potential alliance is significant given the history between the two Thackeray cousins. Raj Thackeray split from the unified Shiv Sena in 2005, launching the MNS in 2006. Over the years, MNS has alternated between opposing and supporting the BJP, which was previously in alliance with Uddhav's Sena before their bitter fallout post the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly elections.

📊 What It Means for BMC Elections

Mumbai's civic polls are seen as a prestige battle, especially after the split in the original Shiv Sena between the Eknath Shinde-led faction (now allied with BJP) and Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT). An alliance with MNS could reshape voter equations, especially in Marathi-dominated wards, potentially tilting the scales in Uddhav's favour.

🔔 What's Next?

As political equations in Maharashtra continue to shift rapidly, all eyes will now be on whether this Thackeray-Thackeray reunion materializes and how it might influence Mumbai's political map in the coming months.