Mumbai’s political landscape has taken a dramatic turn as estranged cousins Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray, leaders of Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) respectively, have joined forces ahead of the fiercely contested Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. Scheduled for January 15, 2026, with results to be announced the following day, this unexpected alliance has sparked a flurry of reactions from all corners of Maharashtra’s political spectrum, igniting both hope and skepticism about its impact on the city’s future.
Announced on December 24, 2025, the alliance marks a reconciliation after years of public estrangement between the Thackeray cousins. According to ANI, Raj Thackeray was emphatic about the purpose of this union, declaring, “The two parties coming together is not merely about seat sharing, but about burying the forces that are today attempting to erase the existence of the Marathi people in Mumbai and its surroundings, and tomorrow in other parts of the state.” He went a step further, promising that “the Mayor of Mumbai will be a Marathi and will be ours,” a statement that resonated with supporters who have long championed the “son of the soil” ideology.
Uddhav Thackeray, for his part, made a passionate call for unity among Marathi people. He warned of the dangers of division, referencing past negative campaigning by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during assembly elections. “If division happens again, we will be finished. Therefore, the Marathi people should not break, should not divide,” he cautioned, as reported by ANI. The appeal was clear: only by standing together could the Marathi community preserve its influence and heritage in Mumbai’s ever-shifting demographic landscape.
This public display of solidarity has been described as “historic” by Shiv Sena (UBT) loyalists. MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, speaking to ANI, hailed the moment, stating, “It is a historic moment, and we will head towards a historic victory when these two brothers announce the alliance of their parties. This is the need of the hour.” She was quick to contrast the Thackeray-led alliance with the ruling BJP-led Mahayuti coalition, which she disparaged as “Mahajhoothi”—a play on words meaning “great lie.” Chaturvedi accused the Mahayuti of “looting the treasury” and neglecting the needs of ordinary citizens, promising that the new alliance would work to restore public trust and address the challenges facing Mumbai’s residents.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut added to the chorus, urging Congress to join forces with the alliance to defeat the BJP. When pressed about the seat-sharing arrangement between UBT Sena and MNS, Raut brushed aside the question, insisting, “In politics, number sharing is a business. Here, there is no business among brothers. This is a family. We will see what we have to do.” His remarks underscored the narrative that the alliance is rooted in kinship and shared purpose, not transactional politics.
However, not everyone is convinced of the alliance’s potential. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has been one of its most vocal critics. According to Devdiscourse and ANI, Fadnavis dismissed the alliance as an act of “political desperation,” arguing that it would not significantly affect Mumbai’s political dynamics. “Nothing will happen with their coming together. Nobody will join hands with them in Mumbai. Their track record is one of corruption and self-interest. Uddhav and Raj have no ideological positioning. They indulge in the politics of opportunism,” Fadnavis told reporters. He likened the media attention surrounding the alliance to “something as historic as peace talks between Russia and Ukraine,” suggesting the hype was wildly exaggerated.
BJP officials have also pointed to the cousins’ history of infighting, recalling Raj’s past criticisms of Uddhav’s leadership. With videos of these old disputes circulating, the BJP has framed the new partnership as a maneuver for political survival rather than a genuine ideological convergence. “These are parties that have lost relevance due to their inclination towards appeasement politics and have lost their support base. Their coming together offers no benefit to the people,” Fadnavis asserted, suggesting that the alliance is unlikely to change the electoral landscape.
Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC echoed this skepticism, expressing confidence that the Mahayuti would emerge victorious. She highlighted the achievements of Eknath Shinde, who she said had “given 17,000 houses to the Marathi people and provided many schemes.” Shaina questioned the Thackeray brothers’ record, asking, “For selfish reasons, you can do anything, form alliances, and then make big talks. I want to ask what you have done for the Marathi people?” Her comments reflected a broader theme among Mahayuti supporters, who argue that their coalition has delivered tangible benefits while accusing the opposition of political opportunism.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Social Justice Minister Sanjay Shirsat characterized the Thackeray alliance as a move born of “helplessness,” pointing out that neither Congress nor Sharad Pawar’s party was willing to join them. “If these people had real strength, why did they suffer such a crushing defeat in the recent municipal council elections? This alliance is formed today due to majboori, as Congress is not with Uddhav Thackeray, and Sharad Pawar is not with them, so they need someone or the other. Just as a drowning man clings to a straw, in the same way, they (Uddhav Thackeray) want to take the support of Raj Thackeray. However, I don’t think this will benefit them much,” Shirsat told ANI.
Despite the heated rhetoric, the stakes for the upcoming BMC elections are undeniably high. The State Election Commission has announced that elections will be held for 29 municipal corporations across Maharashtra, including the BMC, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC). Polling is set for January 15, 2026, with counting scheduled for January 16. The outcome will not only determine the leadership of India’s richest municipal body but may also set the tone for broader state and national politics in the months to come.
As the campaign heats up, the Thackeray cousins’ alliance is being watched closely by both supporters and detractors. Will their call for Marathi unity and promises of reform resonate with voters, or will accusations of opportunism and political desperation stick? For now, Mumbai waits, its political future hanging in the balance as old rivals become new allies and battle lines are redrawn.
