4 min readDec 24, 2025 01:33 PM IST
First published on: Dec 24, 2025 at 12:43 PM IST
Two of Maharashtra’s tall political leaders, cousins Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray, have united after 20 years. Before announcing their alliance, which comes right ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections, Uddhav and Raj Thackeray paid tribute to Bal Thackeray at Shivaji Park memorial.
“The day entire Maharashtra was waiting for is here: Shiv Sena and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena and have reunited,” Raj Thackeray said. “We have come together to stay together,” Uddhav Thackeray said.
The alliance means the BJP-led Mahayuti will have to re-think its strategy for the January 15 polls for elections to the 29 civic bodies in Maharashtra, including the BMC.
The two cousins, before announcing the Shiv Sena (UBT)-MNS alliance, said they would work together for the “Marathi manoos”.
Addressing a joint press conference on Tuesday, Uddhav Thackeray said: “Samyukta Maharashtra was formed after the sacrifice of 105 martyrs. We remember that because our grandfather Prabodhankar Thackeray was one of the leaders of that movement. Later, my father Balasaheb and Raj’s father Shrikant fought for Mumbai. The Thackeray family was part of that struggle.” “Those who want to slice off the city are trying it through their representatives now. If we keep on quarelling, it will be an insult to Samyukta Maharashtra,” he said.
“I had said before that Maharashtra bigger than any dispute,” Raj added.
Both Raj and Uddhav had been sending out feelers after the Maharashtra Assembly elections last year. Earlier this year, they first announced that the two parties would unite against the imposition of Hindi language by the BJP-led government in Maharashtra. They shared the stage opposing the government’s now-scrapped Hindi language mandate in primary classes in government schools.
Ahead of a press conference, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray and MNS chief Raj Thackeray arrive together at Balasaheb Thackeray Memorial (Balasaheb Smarak) in Dadar to pay their respects. (Express Photo: Akash Patil)
Raj split from the Shiv Sena in 2005, airing his displeasure in the way of Uddhav’s style of functioning. Raj quit after Uddhav was appointed the working president of the undivided Shiv Sena. He floated the MNS in 2006. The duo has now reunited before the elections in the Maharashtra civic bodies, including BMC.
Uddhav further said: “The alliance will be extended at different corporations as well in the coming two days.” “Mayor of Mumbai will be a Marathi,” added Raj.
How is MNS placed in BMC wards?
In 67 of the 227 BMC wards in the city, or 30% wards, the MNS polled more votes than the winning margin. While the Opposition alliance Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), which comprises the Congress, NCP(SP) besides the Sena (UBT), led in 39 of these wards, the Mahayuti was ahead in 28 wards. If the Sena (UBT) allies with the MNS, it may not only consolidate its position in these 39 wards but also flip the wards where the ruling coalition was ahead.
Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray reunite after 20 years (Express Photos: Ganesh Shirsekar). 
Ahead of a press conference, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray and MNS chief Raj Thackeray arrive together at Balasaheb Thackeray Memorial (Balasaheb Smarak) in Dadar to pay their respects. (Express Photo: Akash Patil)
Share
