With their respective political careers looking uncertain, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) supremo Raj Thackeray have reunited after 2 decades ahead of the local body polls in Mumbai. The estranged cousins announced their alliance on Wednesday (24th December) in a joint press conference. “I officially declare that Shiv Sena and MNS are alliance partners (for the January 15 election),” said Raj Thackeray, speaking to the media. “Mumbai will get a Marathi mayor,” he added. “Mumbai will stay with us, come what may,” said Udhhav Thackeray.
#WATCH | Mumbai | Thackeray brothers come together for a family photograph after they announce an alliance of their parties for the upcoming Municipal Corporation Elections. pic.twitter.com/CD4CzI9wIx
— ANI (@ANI) December 24, 2025
The Thackeray cousins, divided and united by political ambitions, gave the slogan of ‘chukal tar sampal’ (if you falter now, you will be finished), inspired by the “batenge toh katenge” slogan given by Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath. “The BJP says ‘batenge to katenge‘ (divided we fall). I say, ‘chukal tar sampal’ (if you falter now, you will be finished). We will not rest until those dreaming of separating Mumbai from Maharashtra are politically eliminated,” the former Maharashtra CM asserted. “We will make sure that Marathi people get what they want,” Raj Thackeray added.
Take a dig at the ruling BJP in Maharashtra, Raj Thackeray claimed that “gangs” that hijack political parties have been active in the state. “Maharashtra needs stability at a time when ‘gangs’ that hijack political parties are roaming the state. This alliance is not just for elections; it is for the long-term interest of Maharashtra,” Raj Thackeray said. The cousins played the Marathi identity card, which has been at the core of their politics in the state, and invited those dissatisfied in the Shinde Sena and BJP coalition to join their alliance. “Those who can’t bear to see what is happening in the BJP can also come with us,” said Uddhav, attacking the BJP, his former ally.
The reunion forged by political necessities will face the polls to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), which are set to be held next month on 15th January. Without divulging the details, Uddhav Thackeray said the seat-sharing arrangement has been finalised for elections in Mumbai, Nashik, and other municipal bodies. Sidelining their decades-old political differences, the Thackeray brothers came together in July this year. The cousins reunited against what they described as the “Hindi imposition” in the state.
In 2005, Raj Thackeray resigned from Shiv Sena after he felt sidelined in his uncle Balasaheb Thackeray’s party. The next year, in 2006, he announced his own political party, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).