The political landscape in Maharashtra is heating up with speculation of a potential alliance between estranged cousins Uddhav Thackeray, chief of Shiv Sena (UBT), and Raj Thackeray, president of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), for the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. Uddhav Thackeray has hinted at the possibility of a joint bid, stating that his party will align with the wishes of the people and expressing confidence that they will "capture power in Mumbai and Maharashtra".
This development comes after Uddhav and Raj Thackeray recently shared a public platform after nearly two decades, uniting to celebrate the Maharashtra government's decision to roll back the mandate of Hindi as a compulsory subject in primary schools. This rare show of unity, centered around Marathi pride, has sparked discussions about a potential larger political alliance.
Several factors contribute to the possibility of a Thackeray tie-up. Both leaders aim to reclaim the legacy of Balasaheb Thackeray and establish their sons, Aditya and Amit, in politics. The split in Shiv Sena, with Eknath Shinde taking control of the party and the official symbol, has further incentivized the cousins to join forces.
The BMC elections are crucial for both Uddhav and Raj. For Uddhav, it is a chance to regain lost ground after the split in Shiv Sena and prove that his party still holds sway in Mumbai. For Raj, an alliance could provide a much-needed boost to his party's prospects after a poor performance in recent elections. If the BJP and Shinde win the BMC, some believe it will be "game over for Uddhav and Raj in Maharashtra".
The potential alliance has generated mixed reactions. Some believe that a united front could consolidate the Marathi vote and pose a formidable challenge to the BJP and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. A survey indicated that 52% of Mumbaikars would support a Raj-Uddhav alliance in the BMC polls. However, others caution that relying solely on Marathi votes may not be enough to secure a victory in Mumbai's diverse electorate.
Mumbai's voter base comprises various communities, including Marathi (38%), Muslim (19%), and North Indian (17%). To win the BMC elections, the Thackeray cousins may need to reach out to these other communities and address civic issues such as potholes, sanitation, and flooding. Some strategists hope Muslim voters will continue to support Uddhav, viewing him as the strongest contender against the BJP and Shinde Sena.
The BJP has adopted a "wait-and-watch" policy, closely monitoring developments in the Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS camps. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has stated that the Mahayuti alliance will contest the election together but refrained from commenting on the potential Thackeray alliance.
Uddhav Thackeray has already begun preparing his party for the BMC elections, instructing party leaders to reconnect with the public and highlight the party's past contributions to the city's development. He has also invoked the theme of "Marathi pride" in his campaign.
Whether the potential alliance between Uddhav and Raj Thackeray will materialize remains to be seen. However, the possibility has undoubtedly injected a new dynamic into the upcoming BMC elections, setting the stage for a potentially fierce battle for control of Mumbai.
