In a significant political development in Maharashtra, leaders from the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) convened on Sunday for crucial discussions aimed at forging an alliance for the upcoming municipal corporation elections. The talks, which could reunite estranged cousins Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray, are reportedly in their final stages.
Alliance Announcement Imminent
Following the meeting, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP and key strategist Sanjay Raut informed reporters in Mumbai that a formal agreement is on the horizon. "These talks, we believe, are the last meeting. In two-three days, there will be an official announcement," Raut stated confidently. This potential coalition marks a notable attempt to bridge the political divide between the two parties led by the Thackeray cousins, who head Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS respectively.
The timing of the talks coincided with the vote counting for other Maharashtra local body polls, where early trends suggested a strong performance by the ruling Mahayuti alliance. This backdrop adds urgency to the opposition's efforts to consolidate forces ahead of the major civic battles.
Congress's Reservations Pose a Challenge
While the Sena (UBT)-MNS pact seems close to finalization, a broader opposition unity faces a hurdle. Sanjay Raut acknowledged that efforts are ongoing to bring the Congress party, a key ally of Shiv Sena (UBT) at the state level, on board for the crucial Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. The Congress has expressed clear "reservations" over the Raj Thackeray-led MNS.
"We tried to convince the Congress that to defeat the BJP, it is necessary to come together. However, efforts are on to convince them," explained the Rajya Sabha member. He emphasized that the primary goal is to present a united front against the BJP. However, Raut also sought to downplay potential friction, assuring that there would be "no bad blood" between Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Congress even if they fail to form an alliance specifically for the Mumbai polls.
BMC Polls: A High-Stakes Battle
The focus of these alliance talks is sharply on the BMC elections, scheduled for January 15, with counting set for the next day. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation is not just the civic body for India's financial capital but also the wealthiest municipal corporation in the country, making control over it a major political prize.
Elections will be held simultaneously for a total of 29 municipal corporations across Maharashtra. The Congress party's stance, however, appears independently minded. On Saturday, AICC general secretary and Maharashtra in-charge Ramesh Chennithala stated there was a "strong demand" from party workers to contest the BMC polls independently.
Chennithala outlined the party's intent to fight the elections on local issues affecting common Mumbaikars, such as pollution, healthcare, and corruption. "The Congress is firm on contesting the polls independently to protect the secular fabric of the metropolis," he remarked, indicating the complex political calculations at play beyond mere anti-BJP arithmetic.
The next few days are critical as the final shape of alliances for the high-stakes municipal polls becomes clear, setting the stage for a fierce contest in Maharashtra's urban civic landscape.
