Following months of speculation, joint photo-ops and several rounds of negotiations, estranged cousins Uddhav and Raj Thackeray on Wednesday finally made their alliance official in Mumbai, announcing that the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) would contest the January 15 Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls together.
The Thackerays also promised to install a Marathi mayor and sought the support of all Maharashtrians and those who love Maharashtra. “Today, we announce the alliance of the Sena (UBT) and MNS,” Raj said while addressing a joint press conference with his cousin. “The alliance has been finalised in Nashik and at other places, a decision will be announced in one or two days,” Uddhav added.
The announcement resembled a family reunion, with family members — including Uddhav and Raj’s wives Rashmi and Sharmila, and their sons, Aaditya and Amit — in attendance. However, the only leader on stage with the Thackeray cousins was Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut, who is believed to have played a key role in bringing the two cousins together.
“This is a historic day for Maharashtra. The state was formed for the unity of the Marathi people. Today, that unity is once again on display, with both Uddhav and Raj Thackeray sharing the dais. Present-day Maharashtra can only be led by a Thackeray, and the state will stand with the Thackerays,” Raut said.
Recalling that Maharashtra was formed after the sacrifice of 106 people and that the Thackeray family was at the forefront of the Samyukta Maharashtra movement, Uddhav alleged that forces that did not want Mumbai to be a part of Maharashtra were now working through their representatives to achieve the same. “If we continue quarrelling now, it will be an insult to the Samyukta Maharashtra movement. We have to come together,” he said.
Urging Marathi voters to unite, Uddhav referred to the BJP’s “batenge to katenge (divided we fall)” slogan from its Assembly campaign. “I am telling Maharashtrians across the state: remember this — ‘chukla tar sampal (if you err now, you will be finished)’,” he said.
Raj, meanwhile, recalled his remarks during a podcast with filmmaker Mahesh Manjrekar, which he claimed had “started the process of the two cousins coming together”. “Today, we announce that the Sena (UBT) and MNS have formed an alliance. I have only one request to all Maharashtrians and those who love Maharashtra — stand with us in this election,” he said.
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While the MNS chief said the seat-sharing arrangement for the 227-ward BMC would be announced later, he reiterated the promise to install a Marathi mayor in Mumbai if the alliance won the polls.
Taking a dig at the BJP and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena for being “on a spree of poaching leaders,” Raj said Maharashtra was witnessing a rise in criminals who snatch children. “Now, two political parties have been added to that list. They snatch political kids,” he remarked.
Asked whether the Sena (UBT)-MNS alliance caused a split in the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) following the Congress’s decision to go it alone citing Raj’s “hardline” stance towards non-Marathi speakers Uddhav said, “What can I say about this? I will not comment on what others are saying. We are looking after the needs of Maharashtra and the Marathi people.”
Alok Deshpande is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express' Mumbai bureau, recognized for his focused and authoritative reporting on governance, politics, and the socio-economic dynamics of Maharashtra's hinterlands. His unique academic background in Geology and early work in the water sector provides a specialized layer of Expertise to his reporting on resource and environmental issues.
Expertise
Current Role: Special Correspondent, The Indian Express, Mumbai.
Core Authority: Alok provides detailed coverage of Maharashtra politics and governance, with a particular emphasis on how policies and power struggles affect the rural and semi-urban areas (the 'hinterlands').
Key Coverage Areas: His reports frequently focus on high-stakes administrative and political topics, including:
State Assembly Proceedings: In-depth reporting on the Legislative Assembly, covering ministerial statements, legislative debates, and inter-party conflict within the ruling Mahayuti alliance.
Policy & Finance: Coverage of state finances, including supplementary budget demands, fiscal deficits, and major government schemes (e.g., Jal Jeevan Mission, Ladki Bahin Yojana).
Rural and Social Issues: Reports on critical health issues (e.g., child deaths in districts), human-animal conflict (leopard attacks, stray dogs), and agrarian concerns (e.g., farmer suicides).
Local and Urban Governance: Covers major announcements regarding urban development (e.g., BMC's OC amnesty scheme, pagdi system push) and local body elections, including political defections and alliance splits.
Unique Credentials & Trustworthiness
Academic Specialization: Holds a Post-graduate degree in Geology. This background gives him a foundational understanding of natural resources, which directly informs his reporting on environment, water, and infrastructure projects.
Early Professional Experience: His shift to journalism came after working with an NGO focused on the water sector. This practical experience strengthens his Expertise in critical areas like water management and rural development, as evidenced by his reporting on the Jal Jeevan Mission.
Journalism Training: An alumnus of the prestigious Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai, confirming his formal training and commitment to rigorous journalistic standards.
Alok Deshpande's rare combination of scientific education, non-profit sector experience, and deep political reporting makes him a highly trusted and authoritative voice on the governance and ground realities of Maharashtra.
He tweets @alokdesh ... Read More
