Overview
- Uddhav and Raj Thackeray have formalised a joint front for the January 15 BMC and other civic polls after announcing their reunion on December 24.
- The Sena (UBT) is targeting roughly 30–35 wards with sizeable Muslim electorates, inducting local figures and preparing to field more Muslim candidates.
- The BJP has set a hardline Hindutva-plus-development template, planning rallies with Yogi Adityanath and Nitesh Rane and tailoring outreach to North Indian and Gujarati voters.
- BJP leaders accuse the Thackerays of appeasement and warn of a Muslim mayor, drawing a rebuttal from Sena (UBT) figures who cite minority support earned during Uddhav’s tenure.
- The Free Press Journal reports the Sharad Pawar–led NCP has joined the Thackeray–MNS combine, a move analysts say raises competitiveness but leaves final outcomes uncertain.