Overview

• Shiv Sena (UBT) and the MNS held a joint Jan Aakrosh march in Nashik, with leaders declaring future programmes will run together across the state.
• Despite the public display, both sides stopped short of a formal alliance, with MNS figures saying final decisions rest with party high commands.
• An MNS functionary said the party is preparing to field roughly 90–95 candidates in the BMC polls, though seat-sharing talks have not begun.
• The push follows Uddhav Thackeray’s 2 hour 45 minute meeting with Raj Thackeray at the latter’s Dadar residence, which intensified pre-poll speculation.
• Shinde-led Shiv Sena and allies escalated pressure by filing police complaints and a memorandum seeking action against Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut over his social-media remarks referencing Nepal’s unrest.