Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) founder Raj Thackeray on Wednesday formally announced an alliance for the upcoming BMC elections 2026, signalling a major political realignment aimed at consolidating the Marathi vote bank and challenging the BJP-led Mahayuti.

The cousins arrived together at the press conference venue in the same car after paying tribute to Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray at his memorial at Chhatrapati Shivaji Park in Dadar — an image-heavy gesture underscoring political reconciliation after decades of rivalry.