Mumbai, Oct 18 (NationPress) With a growing camaraderie between the estranged brothers Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray, discussions surrounding their potential alliance for the upcoming local and civic body elections in Maharashtra have intensified. On Saturday, Sanjay Raut, a Member of Parliament from the Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT), announced that the Shiv Sena UBT will join forces with the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) for the upcoming Thane Municipal Corporation elections, aiming to secure a minimum of 75 seats.

Responding 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 unite to contest the Thane civic body elections, and we will emerge victorious. Our target is to surpass 75 seats. The Thackeray brothers will indeed create a significant impact.”

This declaration follows a joint rally held just five days prior by both the Shiv Sena UBT and the MNS, where they highlighted crucial issues. Raut's announcement also comes at a time when the Thackeray brothers have yet to finalize their coalition strategy for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections and the 28 other civic bodies throughout the state.

Increasing formal and informal gatherings between the two brothers have sparked excitement in the political landscape of the state. Notably, on Friday, Uddhav Thackeray and family attended an illumination event for Diwali at Chhatrapati Maharaj Shivaji Park, organized by MNS founder Raj Thackeray.

Historically, Thane has been a stronghold for the Shiv Sena, despite currently being the home of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Following Shinde's rebellion in June 2022, numerous office bearers and elected officials shifted allegiance to his camp. Since then, Shinde has been instrumental in consolidating his control over the party.

Raut's timing for announcing the collaboration between Shiv Sena UBT and MNS comes amid the Shiv Sena and BJP expressing intentions of contesting independently in the Thane Municipal Corporation elections. The ruling partners are currently engaged in a struggle to assert dominance over the Thane civic body.

Both Shinde and BJP minister Ganesh Naik are conducting public outreach events to gauge public sentiment. In the 2017 elections, the BJP and the undivided Shiv Sena contested separately, with the Shiv Sena winning 67 out of 131 seats while the BJP secured 23.

In response to Raut's announcement, a BJP legislator from Thane stated that the decision regarding the alliance with the Shinde camp would be made at the appropriate moment.