Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray launched a fierce attack on the ruling Mahayuti alliance on Saturday. He accused them of applying unprecedented political pressure during the recent Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections.
Thackeray Alleges Coercion in 'Strange' Civic Polls
Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Thackeray described the January 15 civic polls as a "very strange" contest. He claimed the ruling alliance treated it like a life-and-death election for their political survival.
"They left no method unused to secure victory," Thackeray alleged. "They opted for all methods, from cash to kidnapping our candidates. They forced candidates to withdraw their nominations through intimidation and coercion."
Shiv Sena UBT Shows Resilience Despite Mahayuti Victory
Despite the Mahayuti alliance clinching a majority in the BMC, Thackeray said the outcome demonstrated the resilience of his party on the ground. The Mahayuti alliance includes the BJP and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.
Thackeray expressed deep gratitude to voters who stood firm against alleged intimidation attempts. "Voters are the saviours of democracy," he stated. "Those who were not scared showed that the strength of Shiv Sena UBT remains intact."
First-Time Alliance with MNS Receives Appreciation
The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader thanked citizens who backed the Shiv Shakti Alliance. This marked the first political collaboration between his faction and his cousin Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena.
Thackeray also apologized for not being able to campaign in all areas. "I could not visit many locations to campaign, but we got a good response at several places," he said. "I would at first apologize to voters where I was unable to reach. I thank those who voted for Shiv Shakti Alliance."
He acknowledged that while the wish to have their Mayor wasn't fulfilled, the results definitely showed the strength of Shiv Sena UBT.
Historic Shift in Mumbai's Political Landscape
The 2026 BMC elections marked a significant political change. They ended nearly three decades of Thackeray family dominance over India's richest civic body.
The BJP emerged as the single largest party with 89 seats. The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance crossed the halfway mark with 118 seats total.
Detailed Election Results Breakdown
Shiv Sena (UBT) secured 65 seats in the election. The party polled 7,17,736 votes, accounting for 13.13 percent of total votes cast.
The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena won six seats with 74,946 votes. This represented a 1.37 percent vote share for Raj Thackeray's party.
The Indian National Congress secured 24 seats. They polled 2,42,646 votes, or 4.44 percent of the total vote share.
Post-Election Political Activity Intensifies
Following the Mahayuti's victory, political activity has intensified across Mumbai. Sources indicate the Shinde-led Shiv Sena has moved its newly elected corporators to a hotel in Bandra.
This relocation comes amid ongoing power negotiations within the ruling alliance. The party is also likely to demand the Mayor's post in the BMC.
This demand reportedly forms part of celebrations marking the centenary year of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray. His 100th birth anniversary falls on January 23.
The BMC election results have reshaped Mumbai's municipal governance. They signal new political alignments in Maharashtra's capital city.
