Sena UBT, MNS, NCP (SP) protest against alleged corruption in Thane Municipal Corporation

The MNS-Sena UBT leaders raised concerns over traffic congestion, illegal constructions, stalled projects, and administrative apathy in Thane

By: Express News Service

Mumbai | Updated: October 14, 2025 09:23 AM IST

2 min read

The march is being considered a symbol of Opposition unity ahead of the upcoming civic polls, with Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS coming closer after decades of rivalry (Express Photo)

Leaders from the Shiv Sena (UBT), Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), and the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) on Monday staged a joint protest in Thane against the alleged corruption and mismanagement in the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC).

The “dhadak morcha” began around 4pm from Gadkari Rangayatan and culminated at the TMC headquarters. Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders Rajan Vichare and Bhaskar Jadhav, NCP SP MLA Jitendra Awhad, MNS leader Avinash Jadhav and Congress leader Vikrant Chavan, who first time shared the stage together in years, took part in the protest. While the protest was led by Sena UBT and MNS, the Congress and NCP too joined the protest march, in a show of Opposition unity.

The MNS-Sena UBT leaders raised concerns over traffic congestion, illegal constructions, stalled projects, and administrative apathy in Thane.

Vichare slammed Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who has stronghold in Thane and controls the TMC, saying, “Despite a Rs 3,000-crore budget, TMC is in debt. The city still lacks a dedicated dam for drinking water.”

MNS leader Avinash Jadhav said the protest was “just the beginning” of coordinated efforts to address civic issues. NCP SP MLA Jitendra Awhad highlighted that even BJP leaders have referred to TMC as the “seat of corruption.”

The march is being considered a symbol of Opposition unity ahead of the upcoming civic polls, with Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS coming closer after decades of rivalry, even as a section of Congress remains hesitant to align with Raj Thackeray’s party.

Thane, a stronghold of Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, has been at the centre of political and administrative controversies since the 2022 split in the Shiv Sena, following Shinde’s rebellion against the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction.

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