Historic Alliance Formed as Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS Join Hands Ahead of Mumbai Civic Elections

Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS formally announce an alliance ahead of the January 15 Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections, reshaping local political dynamics.

Pune| December 24,2025: In a major political development ahead of the January 15 Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray have officially announced an alliance that brings their two parties together after years of political separation. The announcement, made at a joint press conference in Mumbai, ends months of speculation and marks a significant realignment in Maharashtra’s political landscape as the two leaders, who are cousins, seek to consolidate support ahead of one of the most closely watched civic polls in the country. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, often called India’s richest municipal body, has long been a key political battleground, and this alliance aims to combine the Marathi vote base that both parties have historically cultivated in the city and surrounding municipal areas. According to the leaders, the core purpose of their collaboration is to present a united front that reflects their shared commitment to Marathi identity and local governance, and to counter the influence of rival political coalitions in the civic polls. Reflecting on their political heritage, they cited the legacy of earlier Thackeray family leaders who played a central role in the Samyukta Maharashtra movement, underlining the cultural and historical significance of their reunion.
The parties also said they have finalised seat-sharing arrangements not just for the BMC but for several other municipal corporations where elections will be held simultaneously, including Nashik and up to 27 other urban local bodies in Maharashtra. Although detailed seat allocations were not fully disclosed during the announcement, reports indicate that in Mumbai itself, Shiv Sena (UBT) is likely to contest around 145–150 seats, while the MNS will field candidates in approximately 65–70 wards under the agreed formula. The formal alliance reflects a strategic effort to avoid splitting the Marathi vote, which political observers say could strengthen their position against larger parties and coalitions in the civic polls. While the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has downplayed the impact of the alliance, claiming it will not alter electoral outcomes, the renewed partnership between the historic rivals is expected to influence campaign strategies and voter alignments in key wards across the metropolis. Some critics have questioned the timing and authenticity of the reunion, with national and regional leaders offering mixed reactions, but for supporters, the alliance represents a long-anticipated political convergence after nearly two decades of separate political paths. This formal tie-up also comes at a time when local civic issues like infrastructure development, water management, and urban planning are at the forefront of public discourse, making the political stakes in the municipal polls especially high. By presenting a unified platform, Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS hope to translate their combined grassroots networks into electoral gains that could shape governance in Mumbai’s municipal administration for years to come. Analysts say that even if the alliance does not translate into outright dominance, it could alter the dynamics of local electoral contests, especially in Marathi-majority wards where both parties have significant support. With campaigning now in full swing, voters and political watchers will be closely watching how this alliance performs at the polls on January 15, and whether the historic coming together of the Thackeray-led parties influences civic governance outcomes in India’s financial capital.

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