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The BJP further alleged that the Thackerays’ alliance was an attempt to “save their deposits” in the civic elections.
Raj Thackeray with Uddhav at Matoshree | Image: News18
The politics in Maharashtra are heating up in the race for the civic polls in the state. The Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray following their decision to come together for the forthcoming Maharashtra civic elections, including the high-stakes Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls.
Addressing a press conference, the BJP described the reunion as a move driven by fear rather than political conviction. The BJP said that “parivaar vaadi forces have come together due to fear of loss,” claiming the alliance was forged out of concern over dwindling political relevance. According to the BJP, the Thackerays were apprehensive that Mumbai voters were increasingly inclined towards a “Vikas ki sarkar,” prompting them to unite to protect their political interests.
The party further alleged that the alliance was an attempt to “save their deposits” in the civic elections, asserting that the people of Mumbai had already made up their minds and stood firmly with the NDA. BJP leaders maintained that development, governance and infrastructure would remain the dominant issues for voters, rather than family-based politics.
The remarks came shortly after Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray formally announced their reunion nearly 20 years after parting ways. Raj Thackeray had left the undivided Shiv Sena in 2005 and formed the MNS, leading to a prolonged political and personal rift between the cousins. Their coming together is aimed at contesting municipal polls jointly, with a focus on Mumbai and other urban local bodies across Maharashtra.
While the Thackeray brothers have projected the alliance as a move to protect Marathi interests and prevent division of votes, the BJP has dismissed the narrative, reiterating that Mumbai remains with the NDA and that voters will choose stability and development over what it called opportunistic political alliances.
December 24, 2025, 13:43 IST
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