Uddhav Thackeray Seeks Alliance with Raj Thackeray's MNS for BMC Elections Despite Congress Resistance

Mumbai:

Sources indicate that Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray is eager to form an alliance for the upcoming Mumbai corporation elections, including both his Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) partners and his cousin Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). Behind-the-scenes negotiations are currently focused on convincing the Congress party to join this broader coalition arrangement.

The Congress has recently declared its intention to contest the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections independently, with polls anticipated in early 2026. This decision emerged from a Mumbai Congress unit convention presided over by Maharashtra State in-charge Ramesh Chennithala.

This announcement has cast doubt on the opposition's electoral unity prospects in Maharashtra. Previously, the opposition alliance known as MVA—comprising Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (SP), and Congress—had jointly contested both the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.

The growing relationship between Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS has created tension with Congress, which has historically maintained distance from the MNS. While Congress has expressed support for the reconciliation between the Thackeray cousins, it remains reluctant to enter a formal political alignment with the MNS.

According to sources, Congress has clearly communicated to Uddhav Thackeray that any alliance with his cousin would preclude Congress's participation in the coalition.

Nevertheless, Uddhav Thackeray firmly believes in contesting the BMC election alongside Congress and the broader MVA. Sources reveal that he considers a divided MVA would result in electoral losses for both Sena and Congress.

Uddhav Thackeray remains convinced that opposition unity is essential to effectively challenge the BJP. Despite the Maharashtra and Mumbai Congress leadership's decision to contest independently, he continues to maintain communications with the Congress's central leadership.

Sources confirm that backdoor discussions aimed at persuading Congress are ongoing, with Sena representatives reaching out to senior Congress leader Varsha Gaikwad and the Mumbai Congress president.