t a joint press conference in Worli, the Thackeray cousins struck an emotional note, warning against division among Marathi voters while projecting the alliance as a bid to protect Mumbai’s political and cultural identity.
BY PC Bureau
December 24, 2025: Ending years of political estrangement, the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) on Wednesday announced a formal alliance for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections and other key civic polls, including Nashik. The pact was unveiled at a joint press conference in Worli by Thackeray cousins Uddhav and Raj, who framed the reunion as a call for Marathi unity and a shared duty towards Maharashtra.
Striking an emotional note, Uddhav appealed to Marathi voters to remain united. “If you get divided or make a mistake now, you will be completely finished,” he warned, saying the alliance was a collective duty towards Maharashtra. Raj echoed the sentiment, asserting that Maharashtra was bigger than any personal dispute and that this conviction had brought them together.
No formal seat-sharing formula was announced. Raj said candidates would be directly asked to file nominations without a public declaration of seat allocation. He also claimed that criminal gangs were operating in the state and alleged that “new gangs” were targeting children of political leaders. Raj asserted that Mumbai’s mayor would be a Marathi person from the Sena (UBT)–MNS alliance.
VIDEO | Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and MNS chief Raj Thackeray address a joint press conference. The two brothers are likely to ally for the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls.
(Full video available on PTI Videos- https://t.co/dv5TRAShcC) pic.twitter.com/r2fKQe2Aes
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 24, 2025
Ahead of the announcement, both leaders, along with their families, paid homage at Bal Thackeray’s memorial at Shivaji Park. Aaditya Thackeray, Rashmi Thackeray, Amit Thackeray and Sharmila Thackeray were present. Earlier, Uddhav visited Raj’s residence in Dadar, where Raj’s mother, Kunda Thackeray, performed a symbolic aarti. Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut was also on the dais during the press conference.
Addressing the gathering, Uddhav invoked the Thackeray family’s role in the movement for a united Maharashtra and Mumbai’s inclusion in the state. He said internal divisions now would insult the sacrifices made for Mumbai and vowed that any attempt to separate the city from Maharashtra would be politically defeated.
Raj said further details would be shared at public rallies, adding that the alliance was something Maharashtra had been waiting for “for a long time”.
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Seat-sharing talks
According to Sena (UBT) functionaries, a tentative BMC seat-sharing plan proposes 145–150 seats for Sena (UBT), 65–70 for the MNS, and 10–12 for the NCP (SP). Sena (UBT) has also reportedly ceded 12–15 seats—earlier held by its corporators—to the MNS, many of which are now represented by leaders who defected to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.
Raut said discussions with Congress were ongoing, though the party has decided to contest the BMC polls independently. He added that seat-sharing talks for other civic bodies—including Nashik, Pune, KDMC, Thane and Mira-Bhayandar—were largely settled, and that discussions were underway with NCP (SP) leaders.
The alliance, however, drew sharp criticism from rival Shiv Sena leaders. Raju Waghmare accused both cousins of betraying Balasaheb Thackeray’s legacy and said party workers were uneasy after years of rivalry between the two factions.
Congress, while staying out of the civic alliance, described the Thackeray reunion as politically significant, suggesting it reflected cracks within the ruling Mahayuti.
The Maharashtra State Election Commission has announced elections to 29 municipal corporations, including the BMC, PMC and PCMC. Polling will be held on January 15, with counting on January 16. The ruling Mahayuti—comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP—has dominated recent local body polls, with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis calling the results a “trailer” for the upcoming civic elections.
