In a dramatic political turn in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) and Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) have decided to contest the forthcoming municipal elections as allies. The move is being seen as an attempt to bring the Marathi voter base under a single umbrella.

Confirming the alliance, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut said the two parties would not only fight the crucial Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls together but also municipal elections in Nashik, Thane, and Kalyan-Dombivli.

Raut declared that the coming together of the Thackeray brothers was symbolic of Marathi unity and claimed no external force—directly pointing at the BJP and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s camp—could divide them. “We are confident of victory in the BMC and other cities. Discussions are ongoing for seat-sharing and strategies,” he added.

The MNS had already dropped hints of the tie-up by putting up banners across Mumbai, proclaiming: “Only the Thackeray brand can break the BMC dahi handi.” The festive phrase is being used as a metaphor for their electoral target.

Currently, Shiv Sena (UBT) holds the upper hand in most of these corporations: 90 seats in the 227-member BMC, 67 of 131 in Thane, 52 of 122 in Kalyan-Dombivli, and 35 of 122 in Nashik. MNS has a smaller presence, with 1 seat in Mumbai, 9 in Kalyan-Dombivli, and 5 in Nashik.

Reacting to the announcement, BJP leader and state minister Girish Mahajan dismissed Raut’s claims of strength. “Let them first prove themselves in these areas. I don’t think Sanjay Raut should be taken seriously,” he remarked.

Political observers believe the alliance’s impact will depend on how effectively the two parties can merge their voter bases and challenge the BJP-Shinde bloc in these urban strongholds.