Thackeray Cousins Unite for Mumbai Elections
After twenty years, cousins Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray have decided to work together again. They announced their alliance for the upcoming elections for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and other city councils, like Nashik.
The two leaders held a joint press conference in Worli, Mumbai, to share this big news. Many family members were also there, showing a united front.
An Emotional Reunion and Strong Messages
Both Uddhav and Raj spoke emotionally about their decision to reunite. They said their main goal is to protect Maharashtra and its people.
- Uddhav Thackeray warned Marathi people not to be divided, saying, "If you get divided or make any mistake now, you will be completely finished." He stressed that their reunion is their duty to Maharashtra.
- Raj Thackeray agreed, stating that "Maharashtra is bigger than any dispute or fight." He added that the Mayor of Mumbai would be Marathi and from their alliance.
No Immediate Seat Sharing Details
Even though they announced their alliance, the leaders did not share exact details about how many seats each party would get. Raj Thackeray said that candidates would be told directly to file their nominations, rather than announcing a public seat-sharing formula.
A Pledge to Protect Mumbai
Before the announcement, Uddhav and Raj, along with their families, visited the memorial of Bal Thackeray at Shivaji Park to pay their respects. Bal Thackeray was the founder of Shiv Sena and a strong leader for Marathi people.
Uddhav Thackeray spoke strongly about keeping Mumbai part of Maharashtra. He said that some forces in Delhi want to weaken Mumbai. He pledged that their alliance would fight against anyone trying to separate Mumbai from Maharashtra.
"We have taken an oath that those who try to separate Mumbai will not be left without being eliminated in politics," Uddhav stated.
Proposed Seat-Sharing for BMC (Unofficial)
While no official seat-sharing was announced, reports from Sena (UBT) officials suggest a possible plan:
| Party | Proposed BMC Seats |
|---|---|
| Shiv Sena (UBT) | 145 - 150 |
| Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) | 65 - 70 |
| NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) | 10 - 12 |
Sena (UBT) is also said to have left 12-15 seats for MNS where its own previous council members have joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.
Mixed Reactions to the Alliance
The reunion has caused strong reactions from other political parties.
- Shiv Sena Leader Raju Waghmare criticized the Thackeray cousins. He accused them of betraying Bal Thackeray's legacy and ideology. He said, "Balasaheb Thackeray will never forgive them; the Marathi people will never forget this."
- The Congress party, which is an ally of Sena (UBT) at the state level but not in these city elections, saw the reunion as a sign of problems within the ruling Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra.
Upcoming Local Elections
The Maharashtra State Election Commission has announced elections for 29 city councils, including Mumbai (BMC), Pune, and Pimpri-Chinchwad. Voting is scheduled for January 15, with results on January 16.
The current ruling alliance, Mahayuti (made up of BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP), has done very well in recent local elections across 286 smaller councils. Chief Minister Fadnavis called these wins a "trailer" for the upcoming city elections.
