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Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Marathi vote to four key civic bodies, why Uddhav, Raj are stepping up to join hands
Amid growing signs of an alliance between the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Raj Thackeray-headed Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has said that the Thackeray cousins would jointly contest the upcoming civic elections in Maharashtra, including that of the high-stakes Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls. 'The Thackeray brothers will contest the civic polls together and they will win. Talks are already underway for several key municipal corporations, including Mumbai, Thane, Nashik, Kalyan-Dombivli, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. No evil force can now break the unity of the Thackerays,' Raut said Friday. Uddhav and Raj had been estranged for nearly two decades. On July 5 this year, however, the Thackeray cousins appeared together at a pro-Marathi rally in Mumbai, renewing their ties publicly. Signalling a further warming of their relationship, Raj subsequently visited 'Matoshree', Uddhav's residence, on the latter's birthday for what was his second visit there in about 20 years. These developments have come three years after the Shiv Sena's split. In June 2022, Eknath Shinde, the current Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena president, had rebelled against Uddhav's leadership of the party and led his breakaway faction to join the BJP-led NDA. Besides splitting the Sena, Shinde's revolt led to the collapse of the then Uddhav-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government. The November 2024 Maharashtra Assembly polls saw the Sena (UBT) and its other MVA allies facing a debacle, despite having put up a strong show in the Lok Sabha polls a few months earlier. On the eve of the crucial state civic polls, Sanjay Raut emphasised the significance of four municipal corporations — in Mumbai, Nashik, Thane, and Kalyan-Dombivli. He said under the banner of 'Maharashtra and Marathi unity', Uddhav and Raj would set aside their differences with the shared goal of contesting and winning the civic polls together. A united Thackeray front could consolidate the Marathi vote across at least 10 major civic bodies. Currently, with these votes apparently split between the Sena (UBT), MNS, and Shinde Sena, the BJP may be well-placed to have an upper hand. So, a pre-poll alliance between the Sena (UBT) and the MNS could benefit both of them. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has been dominated by the Uddhav-led Sena for over two decades, but it no longer seems to be the party's impregnable fortress. The Sena has also been a major player in the Thane, Nashik, and Kalyan-Dombivli municipal corporations. If the Sena (UBT) and the MNS join hands, the upcoming civic polls would test the coordination between their camps, integration of cadres, and voters' acceptance of their alliance. This may possibly reshape the Marathi-dominated urban political landscape in the state. The previous elections to the local bodies in Maharashtra were held in 2018, with the terms of most of them expiring by 2022-23. An administrator deputed by the state government has since been running them. Their fresh elections had been delayed over the implementation of reservations for the Other Backward Classes (OBCs). In May this year, the Supreme Court directed the State Election Commission to notify these polls with the existing quotas. The BMC has long been key to the undivided Shiv Sena's urban strength. Its control over the Mumbai civic body for more than 25 years allowed the party to build grassroots networks, project governance credentials, and strengthen loyalty among urban Marathi voters. In the 2017 BMC elections for 227 wards, the undivided Sena won 84 seats, which increased to 97 with the support of Independents and six MNS corporators. The emergence of the Shinde Sena following the party's split sharply eroded the Uddhav Sena's strength in both Mumbai and other parts of the state. Nearly half of the Sena (UBT)'s 84 BMC corporators shifted their allegiance to the Shinde-led outfit. This exodus left Uddhav's Mumbai fortress vulnerable, opening space for the BJP and Shinde Sena to expand their influence. Since 1992, the undivided Sena dominated the BMC elections, often securing absolute majority. While the BJP steadily expanded its urban footprint, the Congress and the undivided NCP played secondary roles. Despite being a small party, the MNS influenced Marathi voter sentiments, often playing a 'vote-cutter' for the Sena. For the Sena (UBT), the BMC is more than a civic body – it symbolises organisational continuity and cultural identity for the party while ensuring essential funding networks for it. Any setback in the BMC would deal a blow to the party's operational and moral authority in urban Maharashtra. Thus, an alliance with the MNS is seen as critical for the Sena (UBT) to consolidate its traditional Marathi support base and prevent vote fragmentation. Thane, historically considered the Sena's first urban bastion, has served as a key extension of the party's influence beyond Mumbai. Shinde, who hails from Thane, has long been seen as the local strongman with control over civic bodies in the district. Following the 2022 split, internal divisions among Sena workers fractured the party's base. Almost all Sena (UBT) corporators in Thane defected to the Shinde Sena. While the BJP has gradually increased its vote share in Thane since 2014, the Shinde Sena's rise has caused a further setback to Uddhav's party. The undivided Sena won a majority in the 131-ward Thane Municipal Corporation polls in 2017 by winning 67 seats. But 66 of these corporators later joined the Shinde Sena. A win here would not only reaffirm the Sena (UBT)'s relevance but also mount a challenge to Shinde in his own bastion. For Thackerays, reclaiming Thane is crucial to maintaining their support base among Marathi-speaking urban voters. Both Nashik and Kalyan-Dombivli are also crucial for consolidating Marathi votes for the Sena. Both the cities have shown strong support for the Shiv Sena and the MNS in the past. Nashik was the first municipal corporation controlled by the MNS, which also gave its mandate to the party in the 2009 Assembly polls and 2012 civic elections. While the Sena and the Congress had also alternatively ruled the Nashik Municipal Corporation earlier, the BJP steadily expanded its influence here in recent years. In the 2017 polls, the BJP won 66 of Nashik's 122 wards to secure a majority. The Sena (UBT) and MNS camps believe that their traditional Marathi voter base could unite and rally behind them to check the BJP's advantage. Kalyan-Dombivli, another Marathi-majority urban area, has traditionally seen a significant Sena influence, with the MNS also drawing from the same demographic. Since 2022, Shinde's faction has made inroads here too, turning it into a three-way fight. A Sena (UBT)-MNS tie-up here may also prevent a split of their votes and boost their prospects. In the 2015 polls, the undivided Sena was able to clinch the 122-ward Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation, winning 52 seats on its own and getting the required support for a majority from other corporators. Despite growing enthusiasm among the cadres of the Sena (UBT) and the MNS, their possible alliance would face various operational challenges. The seat-sharing deal between them may become a contentious issue, especially in regions where both claim their influence. Sena (UBT) leader Anil Parab, however, downplayed it, saying, 'Uddhav ji has clearly said for the sake of the Marathi language, people, and Maharashtra, both brothers can set aside their differences. They are mature enough to know where each party holds strength.' Another concern for the Uddhav Sena could be the stance of the Congress, a key MVA ally. While the Congress has not opposed the Sena (UBT)-MNS alliance, it has yet to formally commit to the inclusion of the MNS in the MVA. Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala has stated that while there could be no objection to the Thackeray cousins working together, he has held that the MNS's induction in the MVA would require broader discussion. On the MVA allies' concerns, Raut said, 'Uddhav ji will speak to INDIA leaders including Rahul Gandhi about it. During his visit too, he spoke to Rahul ji about it and discussion will take place accordingly. But one thing is clear: The two cousins have already come together and it has created unease among the opponents.' The BJP, however, dismissed Raut's comments on the alliance, with its leader Pravin Darekar likening the Sena (UBT) to 'an impatient groom who injures his knee before the wedding', claiming that the latter feared 'extinction' without the MNS's support.
Hindustan Times
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
BJP eyes maximum seats in BMC polls, could clash with ally Sena
MUMBAI: The BJP, which is aiming to win over 680 urban and rural local bodies in the forthcoming polls, is hellbent on conquering the BMC, the largest and richest civic body in the country. Based on its internal surveys, the party is likely to contest 150 of the 227 seats in Mumbai to ensure that it wins more than half the seats on its own. This is, however, expected to lead to a tussle with its ruling ally, the Shiv Sena, which aims to contest over 100 seats. Against the backdrop of talks between the estranged Thackeray cousins, Uddhav and Raj, and their likelihood of allying in the local body polls, the BJP checked out their potential in the BMC elections. The internal survey conducted by the party reportedly showed that the Thackeray cousins' reconciliation would cost the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena dear without hampering the BJP much. This has elated the BJP and spurred it to go aggressive on its partners in the seat-sharing arrangement according to the party's senior leaders. 'Although it is a far-fetched possibility, if the Thackeray cousins come together, it will not harm our prospects,' said a Mumbai-based BJP leader. 'Our North Indian and Gujarati-Marwari voters will remain intact. In fact, the Sena (UBT) could lose North Indian votes by joining hands with Raj because of the latter's anti-North Indian image. Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena, however, could be dented in the Marathi-dominated areas of South and South-Central Mumbai. In such a scenario, we have room to ask for more seats while negotiating with the Sena and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP.' The leader suggested that as a compromise formula, the BJP could sacrifice some of its seats in Thane, Mira-Bhayander and Kalyan-Dombivali. 'We won a whopping 82 seats in the 2017 BMC elections and were in a position to elect a BJP mayor, but gave up the claim for our ruling ally, the Shiv Sena, then headed by Uddhav Thackeray,' he said. 'This time, however, we have a clear edge and could win the BMC on our own. It could happen if we contest maximum seats. Though it is premature, our aim is to contest 150 seats.' Another party leader said that the Mahayuti would contest most of the municipal corporations as an alliance. 'However, we could go for a friendly fight in some corporations like Navi Mumbai, where the BJP and Shiv Sena have equal strength and both would benefit by occupying space in the opposition,' he said. 'In Pune, we will have an understanding with the NCP and may agree to give more seats to it.' The BJP has decided to sound the poll bugle, and has convened a party meeting at Dadar on Monday. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis is expected to address party office-bearers from Mumbai. 'It will be the first party meeting for local body poll preparations after the Supreme Court directed the State Election Commission to hold the elections,' the leader said. The local body polls are expected to be held in October or November.
Time of India
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Saamna all for Thackeray reunion talks, attacks BJP
Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece Saamna on Monday endorsed discussions related to a potential reconciliation between Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray and criticised the BJP leadership , including CM Devendra Fadnavis and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde, accusing them of causing damage to the state. While the editorial mentioned Uddhav's statement that MNS should maintain a distance from the BJP and the Shinde-led Shiv Sena, MNS insiders called Uddhav's 'rider' odd. An MNS insider voiced concerns about the UBT Sena's "conditions" and cited previous unsuccessful reconciliation attempts while underlining that there may be problems for its cadre to get tickets for the upcoming civic polls in Marathi-dominated areas. On Sunday, MNS Mumbai chief Sandeep Deshpande had stated, "We were betrayed twice by them (UBT Sena), first in 2014 and then in 2017, when we were in discussions for a possible election tie-up, at the last minute." With Mumbai's civic polls approaching, political organisations are seeking alliances to bolster their electoral prospects. Saamna's Monday editorial alleged that "Shah-Modi, Fadnavis and Shinde along with others attacked Shiv Sena of Balasaheb Thackeray to make Maharashtra weak." In an apparent reference to Shinde, UBT Sena MP and Saamna editor Sanjay Raut posted a video on X suggesting discussions about his leader's potential alliance with Raj had unsettled certain groups. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo Sena minister Uday Samant said, "Raj takes his own decision and will not bend if anyone sets 'conditions.'" Sena's Thane MP Naresh Mhaske called Uddhav a modern-day Duryodhan and said Uddhav's efforts to reconcile with his cousin were driven by desperation ahead of BMC elections. He accused Uddhav of denying Raj his rightful place in the party. Raj left for abroad before his interview, recorded a few weeks ago, in which he showed openness to patch up, was put out on Friday, with Uddhav responding positively but with conditions. Raj's party indicated any directions about a future dialogue would be clarified on his return. Meanwhile, MNS city chief Deshpande has extended invitations to UBT Sena's Aaditya Thackeray, BJP's Ashish Shelar, the Shinde-led Sena and Congress and NCP to attend its 'shadow corporation house' near CSMT on April 26 to address public issues. In the absence of a functioning corporation house (as corporator terms ended in 2022), Deshpande has organised this shadow house. The attendance of the invitees remains uncertain. -Inputs by Manoj Badgeri
