Preparations Intensify at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park for Thackeray Cousins’ Mega Rally

Preparations are underway at Shivaji Park in Mumbai ahead of the “Shiv Shakti” alliance rally of Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), and Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Election 2026. The joint rally, which will take place on Sunday, will see cousins Uddhav and Raj Thackeray sharing the stage. PICS/ASHISH RAJE

The Shivaji Park in Dadar, Mumbai, is expected to witness a huge turnout on Sunday for the joint rally by the Thackeray cousins. The event is a significant moment as it marks the first time in 20 years that the Thackeray cousins will be fighting polls together. The rally is expected to draw a large crowd and is being closely watched by political observers and the media.

In an interview earlier in Shiv Sena’s mouthpiece Saamana, Uddhav and Raj Thackeray attacked the current administration in Maharashtra, saying, “A death warrant is being issued for Mumbai and Marathi pride. The city is deteriorating, projects are staked, and corruption is rampant.” This strong rhetoric underscores the political mood and the urgency of the rally.

Raj Thackeray, who heads the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), also announced that he and Uddhav Thackeray will address an election rally in Thane on January 12. This move is seen as a strategic step to consolidate support in key areas leading up to the BMC elections.

Polling for the 288-seat BMC will be held on January 15, with counting to be held the following day. The Shiv Shakti alliance is expected to face stiff competition from the Mahayuti combine of the BJP and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. The political landscape in Mumbai is highly charged, and the outcome of the BMC elections could have far-reaching implications for the state and national politics.

The preparations at Shivaji Park are meticulous, with security arrangements being tightened and stages being set up. The event is expected to be a grand affair, with a large number of supporters expected to gather to hear the Thackeray cousins speak. The rally is not just a political event but also a symbol of the resurgence of a strong regional political force in Mumbai.

The Thackeray cousins’ decision to come together after two decades is being seen as a significant move to reclaim their political space and challenge the dominant political forces in the city. The event is likely to set the tone for the upcoming BMC elections and could influence the political dynamics in the state in the coming years.

As the rally approaches, the city of Mumbai is abuzz with anticipation. The political landscape is poised for a major shift, and the joint rally at Shivaji Park is a crucial event that could shape the future of local politics in Mumbai.