Overview
- Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) and Raj Thackeray’s MNS formally announced an electoral tie-up for the January 15 municipal polls, pledging that Mumbai’s mayor will be a Marathi leader from their front.
- Details of seat-sharing for the 227-ward BMC were not disclosed at the announcement, though leaders said arrangements for Nashik have been settled and that candidate lists will follow.
- Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde dismissed the reunion as a bid for political survival, arguing it will not dent the BJP-led Mahayuti’s prospects.
- Congress said it will contest the BMC independently rather than join the Thackeray understanding, altering opposition math in Mumbai; NCP (SP) positions remained under discussion in some reports.
- Analysts noted demographic shifts and recent electoral setbacks for both parties and questioned whether the reunion can translate into gains despite visible enthusiasm among local cadres.