Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray addresses a joint rally with MNS chief Raj Thackeray at Shivaji Park, Dadar. (Express photo by Akash Patil)Maharashtra Municipal Election 2026 Highlights: Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray will address an election rally in Mumbai’s Shivaji Park shortly. This marks the first time since the formation of MNS that the Thackeray cousins will address a rally together. They came together on the same stage for the first time in Nashik Friday after formally announcing their alliance and launched a scathing attack on the ruling BJP. While Uddhav said the BJP gave tickets to leaders from other parties while ignoring loyal workers, Raj alleged that civic elections in the state were being influenced by money and pressure.
The ruling Mahayuti alliance Sunday released its manifesto for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, promising a five year freeze on water charges, large scale housing construction and a range of welfare measures, including 50 per cent concessional transport fares for women in BEST buses. The manifesto was unveiled in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Union minister Ramdas Athawale.
Launching an attack on the Thackeray cousins, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said Uddhav and Raj were born and grew up in Mumbai, yet they have failed to solve the city’s problems. Uddhav held the reins of the BMC for the last 25 years but could do nothing to address the problems of Mumbaikars, he claimed at a rally in Andheri. Fadnavis’s comments came after the Thackerays, in an interactive session, slammed the CM to be an “outsider who does not understand the issues of Mumbai”.
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and MNS chief Raj Thackeray address a public meeting at Shivaji Park, Dadar, during the ongoing Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election campaign in Mumbai. (Express Photos by Akash Patil)
We have buried our differences for Marathi manoos, Hindus, and Maharashtra, said Uddhav Thackeray, adding that BJP plays Hindu-Muslim and Marathi-non-Marathi politics ahead of every election.
"BJP doesn't want Shiv Sena (UBT) because we won't allow them to swallow Mumbai. BJP's Hindutva and nationalism are fake."
Uddhav Thackeray and I have come together due to danger to Mumbai, said MNS president Raj Thackeray at joint rally. During a show of strength at Shivaji Park in Mumbai's Dadar, he launched an attack against opponents forming different alliances across Maharashtra for civic polls.
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsVIDEO | During a show of strength at Shivaji Park in Mumbai's Dadar, MNS chief Raj Thackeray (@RajThackeray) launched an attack against opponents forming different alliances across Maharashtra for civic polls. Shivaji Park has been a traditional venue for public meetings for Shiv… pic.twitter.com/o821ZP42aS
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 11, 2026
Uddhav and Raj Thackeray have arrived at the venue, our reporters on the ground say.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has expressed his displeasure over Deputy CM and NCP leader Ajit Pawar criticising the BJP in Pune during the ongoing civic polls campaign.
He was responding to Pawar, whose party is a constituent of the ruling Mahayuti, repeatedly targeting the BJP over local governance in the run-up to polls to Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad municipal corporations.
"I have a lot of patience, and it will not break. We had decided that as allies, we would not speak against each other. But Ajitdada didn't exercise restraint. It doesn't behove him to pass critical remarks in Pune. I haven't spoken against allies or others. I will respond when I come to Mumbai," Fadnavis told a Marathi TV channel.
-PTI
Supporters gather in large numbers at Shivaji Park, Dadar, for a rally hosted by Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and MNS chief Raj Thackeray.
Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray will address an election rally in Mumbai’s Shivaji Park shortly. This marks the first time since the formation of MNS that the Thackeray cousins will address a rally together.
On Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis's BMC poll campaign in Dharavi, Congress leader Jyoti Gaikwad said, "Did Devendra Fadnavis take Adani’s name in this meeting? Everyone knows that NMDPL is their company and that it holds an 80 per cent share. Even then, Devendra ji is saying that it has been given to the government, whereas the government has only a 20 per cent share. So whose is it, then? NMDPL has been given an 80 per cent stake to Adani’s Navbharat Mega Developers. So they have the right over it. What does 80 per cent amount to? If it belongs to the government, then why has the government been given only 20 per cent? Please explain this."
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsVIDOE | On Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis's BMC poll campaign in Dharavi, Congress leader Jyoti Gaikwad said, "Did Devendra Fadnavis take Adani’s name in this meeting? Everyone knows that NMDPL is their company and that it holds an 80 per cent share. Even then, Devendra ji is… pic.twitter.com/2a9powf9YU
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 10, 2026
Several bigwigs who won the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) elections in the past are out of the race this time. Some have opted out, but many were denied tickets and are blaming the parties for doing ‘injustice’ to them.
The BMC elections, usually centred on basic civic issues such as roads, water supply, housing and garbage management, have this time been marked by a communal pitch.
While remarks by the BJP on the possibility of a Muslim mayor have pushed religious identity into the heart of the campaign, drawing criticism from Opposition parties, we take a closer look at data on Muslim candidates.
Shiv Sena-UBT leader Uddhav Thackeray and MNS chief Raj Thackeray to address rally in Mumbai today.
Union minister Piyush Goyal is also set to address campaign meetings in North Mumbai for municipal corporation elections. Union minister Nitin Gadkari to address public meetings in Nagpur for municipal corporation elections.
Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule to release BJP’s election manifesto for Nagpur municipal corporation elections in Nagpur.
In a jolt to the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) ahead of the Mumbai civic body polls, former MLA and loyalist Dagdu Sakpal joined the Eknath Shinde-headed Shiv Sena on Sunday.
Sakpal had served as an MLA multiple times from Mumbai's Lalbaug-Parel-Sewree belt, the stronghold of the Thackerays for more than five decades.
His joining of Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Shinde is symbolic, as Ajay Choudhari has been representing the belt since 2014. But a former MLA joining the Shiv Sena ahead of the civic body polls comes as a boost to Shinde, who has been making efforts to penetrate the Thackeray stronghold. - PTI
NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule has launched a scathing attack on the ruling Mahayuti government, claiming that while Thane has been projected as a "civilised" city, issues of water shortage, dumping grounds, and other civic problems have remained unresolved.
Addressing a campaign rally for candidates from the NCP (SP) and Shiv Sena (UBT) ahead of the civic polls on Saturday, Sule raised questions about the government's claims about large funds sanctioned for Thane's development.
NCP (SP) MLA Jitendra Awhad, the party's Thane city unit president Manoj Pradhan, office-bearers and a large number of party workers and supporters were present. - PTI
Addressing a rally inPune, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said, "... Pune was once a very beautiful city, but today it is known as a city of goons. Whether it is the BJP or Ajit Pawar’s party, there is hardly any gang whose relatives have not been given election tickets by these parties. I once said that if these people had met with Dawood, then they would have given tickets to his brother or relatives, too, even to Chhota Shakeel and Chhota Rajan. These people cannot win elections without hooliganism."
Pune, Maharashtra | Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut says, "... Pune was once a very beautiful city, but today it is known as a city of goons. Whether it is the BJP or Ajit Pawar’s party, there is hardly any gang whose relatives have not been given election tickets by these… pic.twitter.com/cHVOQESAzE
— ANI (@ANI) January 11, 2026
The Congress on Saturday claimed that the Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC) has taken cognisance of its complaint alleging violation of the Model Code of Conduct by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
SEC sources said they had received a complaint from the Congress, but did not confirm if any action was taken on it.
According to the Congress, the complaint concerns an interview given by Fadnavis to a private television channel on January 2 while travelling on the Mumbai Metro.
State Congress general secretary Dhananjay Shinde said in a release the party had objected to the interview as it amounted to the “misuse of public transport facilities and violation of model code”.
-PTI
Construction of over 100 new concrete roads, establishment of a 300-bed civil hospital, measures to mitigate air and noise pollution are some of the key promises that the BJP mentioned in its manifesto for the citizens of Mira Bhayandar in Thane district ahead of the civic polls.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, state BJP President Ravindra Chavan and local MLA Narendra Mehta on Friday released the party's manifesto for the January 15 elections to the Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) elections during a rally.
The manifesto, titled 'Resolve for the Development of Mira-Bhayandar' outlines a comprehensive roadmap to transform the city into a modern, safe, and environmentally sustainable smart city.
The BJP has suspended 58 functionaries from Mumbai and Nagpur for a period of six years for breach of party discipline in the run up to the January 15 polls to 29 municipal corporations, the action coming amid dissent marking the campaign of almost all major outfits and alliances in the state, news agency PTI reported.
Makrand Narwekar, younger brother of Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar, is among the wealthiest candidates for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election with declared assets of Rs 124.4 crore, news agency PTI reported.
Seeking a third term from ward no 226 on a BJP ticket, Makrand could be the wealthiest candidate in the BMC elections.
Among other 'high net worth' candidates, Samadhan Sarvankar, son of former Shiv Sena MLA Sada Sarvankar, has declared assets of Rs 46.59 crore, while Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate and former mayor Shraddha Jadhav has declared assets of Rs 46.34 crore.
As per his affidavit filed with the Election Commission, Makrand Narwekar's assets (which include the assets of his wife) grew 1,868 per cent compared to nine years ago, the PTI report stated. (PTI)
The Nationalist Congress Party (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar Thursday launched a scathing attack on the BJP rule in Pimpri-Chinchwad and was even singled out Bhosari MLA Mahesh Landge, accusing him of corruption.
Staging with his father at two political rallies first time after the split in the NCP over two years ago, Rohit addressed two election rallies alongside his uncle Ajit pawar at Sangvi and in Gharkul areas.
He said party workers and leaders were demanding that both the NCP factions should come together in Pimpri-Chinchwad to end the BJP’s corruption ridden rule. "We are now fighting the election unitedly against BJP…,” said Rohit Pawar.
Irked over a plethora issues ranging from deaths due to potholes, to illegal hawkers menace, to building permissions in violation of rules that are core to the city residents, the Bombay High Court has on several occasions pulled up the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and passed directions during the Administrator rule of over three years at BMC.
Despite court directives, the court has repeatedly observed that the BMC, whose elections are scheduled for January 15, has taken insufficient efforts to comply with them, facing repeated criticism from the judges.
Here's a brief overview of the issues BMC was questioned for by the High Court.
Launching an attack on the Thackeray cousins, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said Uddhav and Raj were born and grew up in Mumbai, yet they have failed to solve the city’s problems.
Uddhav held the reins of the BMC for the last 25 years but could do nothing to address the problems of Mumbaikars, he said at a rally in Andheri.
Earlier, Uddhav and Raj, in an interactive session, had slammed Fadnavis as an “outsider who does not understand the issues of Mumbai”. Responding, Fadnavis said, “Balasaheb Thackeray was one of the leaders whose understanding of Mumbai was best. Yet, he was born in Pune. Whereas, those who were born in Mumbai and aged here could not solve a single problem of city.”
Ahead of the upcoming municipal elections in Maharashtra, cousins Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray came together on the same stage for the first time in Nashik on Friday after formally announcing their alliance and launched a scathing attack on the ruling BJP.
In his speech, Uddhav said the BJP gave tickets to leaders from other parties while ignoring loyal workers.
“The BJP has become a party of outsiders,” he said. He also questioned the party’s commitment to Hindutva and criticised the decision to cut trees for a ‘sadhugram’ in Nashik.
Meanwhile, Raj alleged civic elections in the state were being influenced by money and pressure. He claimed in Kalyan-Dombivli, three members of the same family contesting from one ward were allegedly offered Rs 15 crore to ensure that the election was uncontested.
As campaigning for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election, scheduled for January 15, intensifies, several of the 227 wards in the city are witnessing tough battles.
Take a look at 10 Mumbai wards with candidates, high-profile stakes, and challenging contests.
The NCP, led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, and the NCP (SP), headed by his uncle Sharad Pawar, on Saturday released a joint manifesto for the upcoming elections to the Pune municipal corporation.
Ajit Pawar and his cousin Supriya Sule, the working president of NCP (SP), shared the dais at a joint press conference, signalling growing proximity between the two factions after a bitter split in 2023.
The campaigning for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election, scheduled for January 15, intensified on Saturday, with several of the 227 wards in the city witnessing tough battles.
The Nationalist Congress Party-Sharad Chandra Pawar’s (NCP-SP) Supriya Sule and NCP’s Ajit Pawar launched their joint manifesto for Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad civic body elections on Saturday.
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js#watch | Pune | NCP-SCP's Supriya Sule and NCP's Ajit Pawar jointly address the press at the launch of their joint manifesto for Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad civic body elections pic.twitter.com/1QLtFF2F3G
— ANI (@ANI) January 10, 2026
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