Ending almost a decade of political distance, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray are preparing to join hands for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. Amid the ongoing seat-sharing talks between leaders of the two parties, it is almost certain that the Thackeray brothers will contest the upcoming BMC elections together.
According to sources, the strategy of this alliance will be based on ‘Mamu’ (Marathi-Muslim) equation. In this, special attention will be given to 72 Marathi-dominated and 41 Muslim-dominated wards out of the total 227 seats in Mumbai. This social equation is believed to have benefited Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena in areas like Govandi, Mankhurd, Byculla and Mahim in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Under the initial seat-sharing formula, Shiv Sena (UBT) may contest 140 to 150 seats, while MNS may contest 60 to 70 seats. However, talks over four key Marathi strongholds – Worli, Dadar-Mahim, Sewri and Vikhroli/Bhandup – are stuck. MNS is adamant on contesting elections in these areas, which are currently considered to be influenced by the MLAs of Uddhav Thackeray’s party and have traditionally been the center of ‘Marathi Manush’ politics.
Minority support + Marathi aggression strategy
While Uddhav Thackeray is working on a strategy to strengthen the minority vote bank, Raj Thackeray will take up the responsibility of uniting the Marathi voters. According to party sources, Raj Thackeray will try to bring back Marathi identity through his powerful and aggressive speeches in Mumbai.
Preparation for three joint rallies
The Thackeray brothers may also hold three joint rallies in Mumbai to publicly show their unity. Through these rallies, an attempt will be made to convey the message that the BMC elections are a direct contest between ‘Thackeray and Mahayuti (Grand Alliance)’. Sources say that Uddhav and Raj Thackeray will meet face to face within the next 48 hours and try to resolve the ongoing dispute over seat-sharing. After this meeting, a formal announcement of the alliance and a joint strategy for the BMC elections is expected.