Mumbai, Oct 18 (NationPress) As the bond between the estranged brothers Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray strengthens, discussions of their collaboration for the upcoming local and civic body elections in Maharashtra are heating up. On Saturday, Sanjay Raut, a Member of Parliament from Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT), announced that the Shiv Sena UBT and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) will unite for the elections of the Thane Municipal Corporation, aspiring to secure at least 75 seats.

In response to the BJP’s campaign slogan in Thane, “Aab ki Baar 70 paar (this time we will cross 70),” Raut stated, “Shiv Sena UBT and MNS will collaborate to contest the Thane civic body elections, and we are confident of winning. Our motto is to surpass 75 seats. The Thackeray brothers will create a significant impact.”

This declaration follows a joint rally held five days earlier by both parties in Thane, aimed at addressing key community issues. Raut's statement arises at a time when both Thackeray brothers are yet to finalize their alliance for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections and other 28 civic bodies across the state.

Both brothers have been increasing their formal and informal meetings, generating excitement within the political landscape of the state. Recently, Uddhav Thackeray and his family attended an event at Chhatrapati Maharaj Shivaji Park, where they inaugurated Diwali illuminations organized by MNS founder Raj Thackeray.

Traditionally, Thane has been a stronghold for the Shiv Sena, even as it is the home city of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Following Shinde's rebellion in June 2022, a significant number of officials and representatives abandoned Uddhav Thackeray to join Shinde’s faction, leading to Shinde's consolidation of power within the party.

Raut’s announcement regarding the alliance surfaces as the Shiv Sena and BJP seem poised to contest the Thane Municipal Corporation elections independently. In this context, both parties have expressed intentions to pursue separate contests for the civic and local body elections in Thane.

The ruling coalition is currently embroiled in competition, striving for dominance within the Thane civic administration. Meanwhile, Shinde and BJP Minister Ganesh Naik are conducting public meetings to gauge community sentiment. In the previous elections of 2017, the BJP and the united Shiv Sena competed separately, with Shiv Sena winning 67 out of 131 seats, while the BJP claimed 23.

In response to Raut’s announcement, a BJP legislator from Thane stated that any decisions regarding an alliance with the Shinde camp will be made at an appropriate time.