Mumbai: The BJP remains unfazed by the possibility of an alliance between Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) and Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) ahead of the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, according to a senior party official citing an internal survey.
With civic polls expected later this year in Mumbai, Pune, Thane, and other key cities, the BJP has intensified its preparations. Speculation about a rapprochement between the Thackeray cousins, who parted ways nearly two decades ago, has gained momentum following statements suggesting they might put aside past differences for the sake of Maharashtra’s interests.
Despite these developments, the BJP’s internal assessment points out that such an alliance is unlikely to undermine its electoral prospects in Mumbai. The party’s stronghold is attributed to its loyal voter base, the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and its solid performance in the recent assembly elections.
The survey further reveals that even in constituencies with a predominantly Marathi-speaking electorate, BJP’s support remains steady. It noted that Uddhav Thackeray’s influence in Mumbai has diminished since the Shiv Sena split in 2022, with nearly half of his party’s corporators defecting to the Eknath Shinde faction.
Meanwhile, Raj Thackeray’s sway is considered limited. The BJP aims to contest around 150 of the 227 seats in the BMC elections and is aligning its campaign strategy accordingly.
