The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has brushed aside the potential impact of an alliance between the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) for the upcoming Mumbai civic elections. Senior party leaders asserted that the coming together of the Thackeray cousins would not influence the outcome of the crucial Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls.
BJP Confident Despite Alliance Buzz
The reaction from the BJP came after Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut hinted at a formal announcement of the alliance on Wednesday. Raut shared a picture on social media platform X featuring Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray with the caption "tomorrow at 12 pm," setting off political speculation.
Mumbai BJP president Ameet Satam was quick to respond, stating that such a partnership would hold no sway over the electorate's decision. "There will be no impact on the outcome of the BMC elections, even if the Thackeray cousins come together and contest the polls," Satam told a regional news channel.
He expressed strong confidence in the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance's prospects, claiming that the people of Mumbai have already made up their minds. "I believe Mumbaikars have made up their mind to support the BJP-led Mahayuti, and the mayor will be elected from our corporators only," he added.
Elections Scheduled for Mid-January
The elections for the BMC, recognized as Asia's largest civic body, are scheduled to be held on January 15. The results for these highly significant polls will be declared the following day, on January 16. The control of the financially powerful BMC is a major prize for all political parties in Maharashtra.
Ministers Echo Confidence in Mahayuti's Development Agenda
Echoing Satam's sentiments, state minister and BJP colleague Pankaj Bhoyar offered a pointed analysis. He suggested that the Thackeray cousins decided to set aside their long-standing personal differences only after realizing they no longer command substantial public support individually.
"There is no impact of their alliance on the Mahayuti's prospects in the BMC polls," Bhoyar told reporters in Jalna. He anchored the BJP-led alliance's confidence in the government's track record. "The BJP-led Mahayuti will win the BMC polls on the back of extensive development work carried out by the state government," he stated.
Bhoyar further claimed that internal assessments and ground reports strongly favor the ruling alliance. "Surveys and ground reports clearly indicate that people will once again support development-oriented governance," he added. When questioned about the BJP's own alliance strategies for various civic bodies across the state, Bhoyar said decisions would be taken based on local circumstances and political conditions.
The stage is now set for a high-stakes contest in Mumbai, with the BJP projecting an image of invincibility while opposition forces attempt to consolidate their position through new alliances.
