Ex-corporators of Sena UBT hold meeting ahead of party’s foundation day on Thursday

The meeting of the corporators was convened ahead of 59th foundation day of Shiv Sena on Thursday. Both factions of the Shiv Sena are also set to hold the separate events in Mumbai. While the Shinde-led faction will host a large gathering at the NSCI Dome in Worli, the Sena (UBT) will continue its tradition by holding its event at the Shanmukhanand Hall in Sion. Uddhav and Shinde are both expected to pay tribute at Bal Thackeray’s memorial at Shivaji Park earlier in the day, before addressing their respective cadres and sound a bugle for the upcoming civic body polls including the prestigious BMC.

Speaking about the foundation day, Sena UBT MP Sanjay Raut said that “the real Sena’s foundation day–not the bogus Sena (Shinde led Sena)–would be celebrated at Shanmukhanand where party chief Uddhav Thackeray would clarify his stance on several issues.

One of the former corporators who attended the meeting said they believed an alliance would strengthen the party’s position in Mumbai and consolidate the Marathi vote base, especially in the face of pressure from the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance.

“All Marathi people want the MNS and Sena (UBT) to come together for the sake of the Marathi community,” a party functionary who attended the meeting said. “Uddhavji asked us whether the Sena (UBT) should explore an alliance with the MNS. We told him the atmosphere is conducive — especially if the two brothers decide to join hands.”

Former corporator Suresh Patil added that the alliance could bring about a “sea change” in Maharashtra’s political landscape. “Uddhavji asked us broadly whether alliances would help. We told him this one would help us 100%. The public is ready for it,” he said.

The BMC, Asia’s richest municipal corporation, has been under an administrator since March 2022, with elections pending due to ward delimitation and OBC reservation issues. Polls are expected to be held later this year, possibly in October or November, and are widely seen as a key political test for both factions of the Shiv Sena following the 2022 split.

Some corporators also expressed concern about attempts by rival parties to lure them away. “There is pressure, yes, and there are calls. But we made it clear to Uddhavji that we’re not falling for it,” said former Mumbai mayor Snehal Ambekar. She said Thackeray had urged them to continue groundwork in their wards, monitor boundary changes and reservation adjustments, and stay connected with local officials.

The meeting also marked the return of former corporator Tejasvee Ghosalkar, who had recently stepped down as a party office-bearer, signalling an effort to close ranks ahead of the civic polls.

The buzz around a possible Sena (UBT)–MNS alliance has been building in since April this year when Raj Thackeray in a podcast said that he may set aside personal disputes for the sake of Marathi people.

Since then, there is a series of rapprochement signals and efforts from Sena UBT, banners featuring Raj and Uddhav. calling for unity between the two leaders and even with both parties participating in joint agitations.