Shiv Sena (UBT), MNS will contest Thane Municipal Corporation polls together, aim to win over 75 seats: Sanjay Raut

“Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS will contest together and win Thane. Our slogan is ‘75 paar’ (more than 75 seats),” Raut told media, adding that the alliance reflects a growing sense of Marathi unity.

The Thane Municipal Corporation has 131 seats, and the upcoming polls are expected to serve as a key test for Shinde’s hold over the city. Raut’s statement comes amid reports of unease within the BJP, with some of its leaders suggesting that the party contest the civic polls independently in Thane rather than backing Shinde’s Shiv Sena faction.

In the 2017 civic polls, the BJP and the undivided Shiv Sena contested separately. The Shiv Sena won 67 out of 131 seats, while the BJP secured 23.

Raut said the growing closeness between Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray over the past few months has laid the groundwork for the alliance. The two cousins, who had parted ways nearly two decades ago, recently shared a stage at the MNS Deepotsav celebration at Shivaji Park in Mumbai, the first time both Thackeray families came together for the event.

“Marathi unity will certainly bring happiness and light into people’s lives and homes,” Uddhav Thackeray said at the event, where Raut noted that the display of unity between the two Thackerays was a message of solidarity to the Marathi-speaking population.

Raut recalled that the renewed ties between the two leaders began after they jointly opposed the state government’s decision to promote Hindi as a compulsory language from Classes 1 to 5, a move they said undermined Marathi identity. Following their protest, the government rolled back the decision.

“Uddhav saheb and Raj saheb have buried their past differences and decided to work together for the cause of Marathi and Maharashtra,” Raut said, adding that the alliance will strengthen Marathi representation in Thane and across the state.

“The people of Thane will give a befitting reply to those who betrayed Balasaheb Thackeray’s legacy.”
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