BMC elections 2026: Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS leaders hail Thackeray reunion

After two decades of rivalry Thackeray cousins Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray on Wednesday announced a political reunion to take on the BJP in Mumbai calling it a historic moment for Maharashtra The development triggered sharp political reactions across partiesThe joint press conference was held at a hotel in Worli where Shiv Sena UBT leader Sanjay Raut said the coming together of the two leaders marked a turning point in Maharashtrarsquos politicsldquoToday is a historic day for Maharashtra The state will stand united with this alliancerdquo Raut saidDrawing parallels with the Samyukta Maharashtra movement Uddhav Thackeray said the reunion was aimed at safeguarding the state and its peopleldquoThis reminds us of the struggle for a united Maharashtra Shiv Sena fought for the Marathi people and this year marks 60 years of the partyrdquo he saidReacting to the alliance Shiv Sena UBT MP Arvind Sawant described the moment as longawaited ldquoThis is a very auspicious moment Mumbai has always accommodated everyone We have never divided people on caste or religion we have always stood for the Marathi manoosrdquo Sawant saidFor party workers the alliance signals the end of years of political distance between the two cousins Cadres from both parties hope the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC elections will reverse recent electoral setbacks including the drubbing in panchayat pollsShiv Sena UBT leader Anand Dubey said the reunion was necessary to protect Mumbai ldquoPeople want to loot Mumbai and keep it mortgaged to themselves Against this we want to launch a public movement The people of Mumbai wanted both Thackeray brothers to come togetherrdquo he said expressing confidence that the alliance would make an impact across 28 other municipal corporationsMNS leader Yashwant Killedar echoed similar sentiments calling the reunion an emotional moment for party workers ldquoWe have been waiting for this day for a long time Workers of both parties are extremely excitedrdquo he said reported ANIHowever the Eknath Shindeled Shiv Sena faction dismissed the development as largely symbolic Party spokesperson Manisha Kayande said ldquoIt may be an emotional moment and a good photo opportunity but what does it offer the people Why were Marathispeaking people divided for the last 20 years That question remains unansweredrdquoBefore the press conference Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray accompanied by their wives had paid tribute to Balasaheb Thackeray at his memorial in Shivaji Park Mumbai Aaditya Thackeray and Amit Thackeray were also present during the homageThe Shiv Sena UBT has described the alliance as one that will strongly advocate the cause of the Marathi manoos Marathi peopleMeanwhile the Maharashtra State Election Commission has announced elections to 29 municipal corporations including the BMC Pune Municipal Corporation PMC and PimpriChinchwad Municipal Corporation PCMC Polling is scheduled for January 15 with counting set for January 16With ANI inputs