Uddhav meets Raj Thackeray amid speculations of alliance ahead of BMC polls

“Uddhav Thackeray and I visited Raj Thackeray’s residence, but the meeting had no political significance whatsoever. During the Ganesh festival, Uddhav had gone to Raj’s home, and at that time, Raj Thackeray’s mother — who is also Uddhav’s aunt — had asked him to return as they couldn’t speak properly due to the crowd. In keeping with her request, Uddhav visited Raj’s home today to meet his aunt, Kunda Mavshi. That is the sole reason for the visit. I have stated the truth, and therefore, what I say should be trusted,” Raut clarified on Wednesday late afternoon.

The meeting came just two days after a Congress delegation visited Uddhav at his Bandra residence, Matoshree, to assess the Maha Vikas Aghadi’s (MVA) preparedness for local body polls and explore the possibility of formally including the MNS in the Opposition front. Sena (UBT) leaders suggested Wednesday’s meeting has made a potential Uddhav–Raj alliance for the BMC “certain,” with more discussions expected before any official announcement.

Sources indicate that seat-sharing for the 227-member BMC, as well as neighbouring Thane, Nashik, and Navi Mumbai, is a key issue for both parties. The MNS is reportedly seeking around 90–95 seats, though Sena (UBT) officials said the final figure would be negotiated at the constituency level.
The increasing closeness between the cousins has been evident since July. On July 5, they appeared together at a rally opposing “Hindi imposition,” sharing a platform after nearly two decades. On July 27, Raj visited Matoshree to greet Uddhav on his 65th birthday, a visit widely seen as symbolic of reconciliation.

In late August, Uddhav, along with his wife Rashmi, son Aaditya, and other family members, visited Raj’s residence, Shivtirth, for Ganesh darshan, further signalling improved family ties.

However, the meeting on Wednesday was the first held outside festive occasions or family celebrations and involved their core political aides, fueling speculation of political negotiations.

With the BMC, India’s richest civic body with a budget exceeding Rs 90,000 crore, going to polls later this year, an Uddhav-Raj alliance could consolidate Marathi votes and challenge the ruling Mahayuti camp, led by the BJP and Eknath Shinde’s Sena faction.

While Congress leaders remain cautious due to Raj’s past position on migrants and Hindutva, both Sena (UBT) and MNS insiders confirmed that further discussions are planned, with seat-sharing frameworks expected to be finalized before the Election Commission announces the poll schedule.