Overview

• Raj Thackeray arrived at Matoshree with his mother and family for what he called a family lunch, marking the sixth meeting between the cousins in recent months.
• The MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT) plan a joint protest on October 13 in Thane over alleged mismanagement and corruption in the municipal corporation there.
• Neither leader has announced a tie-up, though Indian Express reported that sources from both sides discussed BMC seat-sharing in a closed-door meeting last month.
• Their renewed proximity has included a joint appearance at the NSCI Dome in July and reciprocal visits for Uddhav Thackeray’s birthday and Ganesh Chaturthi.
• A potential understanding could reshape Marathi vote dynamics against the BJP–Shinde alliance, even as Shiv Sena (UBT) remains in the MVA and a joint panel earlier lost all 21 BEST cooperative seats.