BMC Election 2026: Uddhav and Raj Thackeray Meet to Finalize Shiv Sena (UBT)-MNS Poll Manifesto
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray met Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray on Thursday to finalize details of the manifesto and campaign strategy ahead of BMC Election 2026, reported the PTI. The two leaders met at Raj Thackeray’s residence, ‘Shivtirth’. The meeting follows a recent visit by Raj to Matoshri, the residence of Uddhav Thackeray. Both interactions are seen as a step towards closer collaboration between the two parties for the upcoming elections, according to the PTI.
Sources said that the discussions also covered plans to counter rebellion by party workers. Several municipal wards have witnessed multiple aspirants rebelling against official candidates, making coordination crucial for both parties.
Joint rallies are planned across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). According to Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, former Maharashtra minister Aaditya Thackeray and Amit Thackeray, sons of Uddhav and Raj respectively, are finalizing the election manifesto, as per the PTI. The proposed rallies include Mumbai: 3 rallies, Kalyan-Dombivli: 2 rallies, Thane, Mira-Bhayander, and Nashik: 1 rally each.
Elections will be held for 29 civic bodies in Maharashtra, including the Mumbai Municipal Corporation, on January 15, with votes to be counted the following day.
Earlier this week, Raj Thackeray had on Monday asked party workers and office-bearers to set aside their differences and work unitedly with Shiv Sena (UBT) to ensure the alliance’s victory in the BMC Election 2026. Addressing party workers at Rangasharda auditorium, Raj Thackeray had said that the elections were crucial to 'save Mumbai'.
Raj Thackeray warned that some people harboured ambitions to separate Mumbai from Maharashtra and said such attempts must be defeated. Quoting him, MNS leader Bala Nandgaonkar said, 'The dream of breaking Mumbai must be destroyed. Mumbai belongs to the Marathi manoos and Maharashtra. This election is extremely important for the Marathi manoos. No fight is bigger than Maharashtra,' according to the PTI.
Raj Thackeray stressed the need to follow alliance dharma, noting that every seat was important in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls. 'Keep differences aside to save Mumbai. Party workers and local functionaries must campaign for Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP) candidates. This support will be reciprocated by Shiv Sena (UBT),' he said. He added that the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP SP) would also be part of the alliance.
The meeting and subsequent plans indicate a strong strategic partnership between Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS, aiming to solidify their alliance and ensure a united front in the BMC Election 2026. The focus on joint rallies and coordinated campaign efforts highlights the importance of unity and collaboration in achieving their electoral goals.
