Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) on Wednesday, December 24, formally announced an alliance for the January 15 municipal elections, putting months of speculation to rest. The announcement was made at a joint news conference held in Mumbai.
The joint news conference lasted around 16 minutes. It was held at a luxury hotel in Worli, which is part of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray’s constituency.
Addressing the media alongside Raj Thackeray, Uddhav Thackeray said the two parties had come together to stay together. Both leaders said the alliance was formed for the cause of the ‘Marathi manoos’ and Maharashtra. Raj Thackeray said Mumbai’s mayor would be Marathi and from their alliance.
While Raj Thackeray, Uddhav Thackeray, and Sanjay Raut, along with other members of the Thackeray family, were present for the announcement of the alliance between the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and the Shiv Sena (UBT), all three leaders remained silent on the issue of seat sharing.
Raj Thackeray announced the alliance between the MNS and the Shiv Sena (UBT). "I announce that the Shiv Sena and MNS have formed an alliance," said Raj Thackeray. "Maharashtra is bigger than any dispute or quarrel. We will not disclose how many seats each party will contest at this time," he added. Raj Thackeray also expressed confidence that the Mayor of Mumbai would be a Marathi person, and that person would be from their alliance.
The talks focused on elections to 29 municipal corporations across Maharashtra, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), which remains the main battleground. These include Thane, Kalyan-Dombivli, Nashik and several other urban centres.
Leaders from both parties said the announcement was delayed as Raj Thackeray wanted the seat-sharing formula to be finalised before making the alliance official. Differences remained over seat distribution in several Mumbai areas, including Dadar, Mahim, Borivali, Vikhroli, Bhandup and Sewri.
During the conference, Uddhav referred to the Thackeray family’s political legacy. He said their grandfather Prabodhankar Thackeray played an important role in the Samyukta Maharashtra movement. He added that Bal Thackeray and Shrikant Thackeray were also involved in efforts to ensure Mumbai remained part of Maharashtra.
Upon being asked regarding BJP leader Raosaheb Danve's statement that this election would be Thackeray's last, Uddhav Thackeray responded saying: "Danve was not worthy of a response, and that nobody in his own party even listens to him."
Following this, Raj Thackeray, who was sitting next to him, took the microphone from Uddhav Thackeray's hand and said, "I think answers should be given to gods, not to demons." This statement by Raj Thackeray elicited laughter at the press conference.
Uddhav Thackeray recalled that after Maharashtra gained Mumbai, the Marathi people faced injustice in Mumbai itself, and at that time, Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray had to give birth to the Shiv Sena to fight for their rights. "So many years passed smoothly, and today we are again seeing plans to tear Mumbai apart and reduce it to shreds," Uddhav Thackeray said. "Do not break apart, do not be divided, do not abandon the legacy of the Marathi people. The Marathi man does not bother anyone, but if someone bothers him, he does not spare them," Uddhav Thackeray added.
The alliance follows poor performances by both parties in the 2024 Maharashtra assembly elections. The MNS failed to win a single seat, while the Shiv Sena (UBT) secured only 20 seats. The results prompted efforts to bring the estranged cousins together.
The Congress has decided not to join the alliance. The party cited MNS’s past anti-immigrant agitations as the reason for staying out of the partnership. Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders said discussions are still ongoing over candidates in around 40 BMC seats where neither party has a clear nominee.
The split between the two cousins in the past was largely centred on leadership issues rather than ideology. The dispute was never fully resolved. Both leaders continue to have strong support bases and influential personalities. The alliance could help the Shiv Sena (UBT) strengthen its position in 39 key BMC wards.
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