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Indian Express
3 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.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Marathi outfit protests at kabutarkhana; mulling controlled feeding, BMC tells Bombay HC
Members of a pro-Marathi outfit were detained by the police on Wednesday for staging a protest at the kabutarkhana in Mumbai's Dadar in support of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) ban on feeding pigeons. Marathi Ekikaran Samiti chief Govardhan Deshmukh, who was also detained, asked why no case had been filed against members of the Jain community who allegedly removed the tarpaulin sheets covering the pigeon feeding spot on August 6. Members of the Marathi outfit were released later. Jain monk Nileshchandra Vijay on Monday had warned of launching an indefinite hunger strike from Wednesday against the civic body's move to close down kabutarkhanas in the city and stated that 'if necessary, we will also take up arms for religion'. Pramod Sudhakar Parte, vice-president of the Marathi Ekikaran Samiti, said they were angered by the remarks of the monk. 'Believe in ahimsa' Later, the Jain monk clarified that he meant taking the path of satyagraha. 'When I said shastra (arms), I meant taking the path of satyagraha (search for truth) like Mahatma Gandhi and sitting on hunger strike. We believe in ahimsa (non-violence). This is not a conflict between Marathi and Marwari,' he said, adding that he is willing to meet Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray to avoid escalation of the row. Later in the day, the BMC informed the Bombay High Court that it intends to allow controlled feeding of pigeons at the kabutarkhana in Dadar daily for two hours from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. under certain conditions. The court, however, directed the civic body to issue a public notice inviting objections before taking a final decision. Advocate General Birendra Saraf, for the State government, submitted a list of 11 names to be part of a committee that would carry out a scientific study on the issue of feeding pigeons at public places and its impact on human health. The High Court said the government shall notify the committee by August 20. The court was hearing a bunch of petitions filed by people who regularly feed pigeons at kabutarkhanas. 'Find middle ground' Meanwhile, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis advocated for finding the 'middle ground' to resolve the ongoing controversy, saying both public health and religious sentiments must be respected. He proposed creating designated feeding areas away from human settlements and noted that 'controlled feeding could be one solution'.
News18
07-08-2025
- Politics
- News18
Uddhav, Raj Thackeray Panels To Contest Jointly In BEST Union Polls
Last Updated: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut had earlier hinted at an alliance between the two and said they would 'surely' contest upcoming local bodies elections as allies. A major development that points to growing camaraderie between the Thackeray cousins, the panels backed by Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray are set to contest together in the upcoming BEST union elections, marking their first formal electoral collaboration in nearly two decades. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut had earlier hinted at this alliance, saying that the Uddhav-led Sena (UBT) and Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) would 'surely" contest upcoming local bodies elections as allies. Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Raut affirmed that both Thackerays would 'come together and discuss" the contours of the alliance. The remarks came shortly after the cousins reunited in July to jointly protest the Maharashtra government's contentious three-language policy for students of Classes 1 to 5, calling it an imposition of Hindi. Their united stance was seen as a political statement, culminating in a joint 'victory" event after the policy was rolled back. With civic polls looming in Mumbai, the Sena's traditional bastion, as well as in Pune, Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Thane, and Kalyan-Dombivli, Raut noted that cadre from both parties now believe that a joint alliance will help them secure a clear majority across these municipal corporations. Raj Thackeray had broken away from the undivided Shiv Sena in 2005, citing differences with Uddhav, and went on to launch the MNS, positioning it as a more assertive pro-Marathi force. Since then, the cousins have largely remained political rivals, contesting against each other in various state and local elections. The upcoming civic polls—and now the BEST union elections—could mark a turning point in Maharashtra's political landscape, as the once-divided Thackeray factions explore a united front. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Indian Express
27-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Raj Thackeray visits Uddhav to wish him on his birthday. ‘I am overwhelmed', says Uddhav
Amid the buzz of alliance between Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena UBT, Raj on Sunday visited Matoshree, the residence of Uddhav, to wish his cousin on his birthday. This is Raj's second visit to the Thackeray residence in nearly two decades, since parting ways with the Shiv Sena and forming the MNS. The two cousins spent around 20 minutes together in what was described as a warm and emotional interaction. Raj presented a large bouquet of roses to Uddhav. Speaking briefly to the media after the meeting, Uddhav appeared visibly emotional. 'I am overwhelmed… I am not able to speak,' he said, declining to elaborate. Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders welcomed the meeting as senior leader Bhaskar Jadhav called it 'a foundation for the reunion of two brothers and Maharashtra's glorious future.' Earlier, Raj had visited Matoshree to invite Uddhav for a wedding function. Raj arrived at Matoshree around noon, accompanied by senior MNS leader Bala Nandgaonkar. Ahead of the visit, Nandgaonkar had informed Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut about Raj's plan to call on Uddhav. The visit comes at a politically significant moment, amid growing speculation about a potential alliance between Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS ahead of the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections. The buzz intensified after the two parties jointly organised a pro-Marathi rally on July 5 — seen as a thaw in relations and a symbolic step towards political reconciliation. During the July 5 event both had given indication of future alliance,with Uddhav saying, 'we have come together today, to stay together forever.'
News18
25-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
Amid Language Row At Home, Maharashtra Govt To Provide Curriculum To Marathi Schools In US
Last Updated: Maharashtra Minister Ashish Shelar met Maharashtra Mandal members in California, which runs a Marathi school in San Francisco since 2005 for second-gen Marathi children. In a significant outreach to the global Marathi community, Maharashtra's Information Technology and Cultural Affairs Minister, Ashish Shelar, has assured that the state government will soon provide an official Marathi curriculum to Marathi schools operating in the United States. Currently on a tour of the US, Shelar met office-bearers of the Maharashtra Mandal in the Bay Area, California. The Mandal has been running a Marathi school in San Francisco since 2005, helping second-generation Marathi children learn their mother tongue, culture, history, and the folk traditions of Maharashtra. Around 300 students are enrolled in this school, learning Marathi out of pure community effort and passion. Across the US, more than 50 such volunteer-run Marathi schools are keeping the language alive far from home. The move comes at a time when the Marathi language has become a point of emotional and political debate back home. In Maharashtra, tensions have simmered for years over the perceived encroachment of Hindi on Marathi's cultural and administrative space. From signboards in Mumbai to school syllabi and competitive exams, pro-Marathi groups have often demanded stronger safeguards to ensure Marathi's primacy in the state. Recent controversies — including demands for mandatory Marathi signage in shops and debates over language policy in schools — have only intensified this sentiment. Against this backdrop, the state government's promise to strengthen Marathi learning even abroad is being seen as an attempt to reassure the global Marathi community that their roots and identity will be nurtured, no matter where they live. During the meeting in San Francisco, the school's representatives told Minister Shelar that official support from the Maharashtra government would make teaching, examinations, and certification much smoother. Many schools there are run purely on community donations and volunteer teachers, but they lack standardized teaching material and an official stamp that could help students and parents gain confidence in the curriculum's authenticity. Minister Shelar assured them that he would discuss this initiative with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and School Education Minister Dada Bhuse. He promised that the government will not only prepare and share an official syllabus but also issue necessary recommendations to the local US authorities if needed. For many families living thousands of miles away from Maharashtra, this move could make it easier to pass on their language and cultural roots to their children — ensuring that Marathi thrives, not just in the state, but across the world. view comments First Published: July 25, 2025, 13:37 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
