Archive · 29 Dec 2025
Thackeray Cousins Alliance Faces BJP Challenge
Two political parties led by cousins Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray have joined forces to take on the BJP in Maharashtra.
The BJP, led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, dismisses this alliance as a desperate move for political survival.
The Thackeray parties have been struggling in recent elections, and their alliance aims to bring together Marathi voters.
However, the BJP has a strong hold on non-Marathi Hindutva voters and benefits from Prime Minister Modi's popularity.
The upcoming BMC elections will be a crucial test for this new alliance.
Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS have formed an alliance to challenge BJP in Maharashtra ahead of the BMC elections.
The alliance aims to consolidate the 'Marathi Manus' constituency but faces significant challenges from BJP's strong voter base.
BJP dismisses the alliance as a desperate move for political survival, highlighting the parties' recent electoral struggles.
The Thackeray parties have seen a decline in their traditional Marathi vote base, with limited success in recent elections.
The BMC elections on January 15 will be a crucial test for the new alliance, with multiple parties contesting.
- Who
- Shiv Sena (UBT), Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, NCP (SP faction), Congress
- What
- Alliance between Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray to challenge BJP in Maharashtra
- When
- Ahead of the 2025–26 civic poll cycle, including BMC elections on January 15
- Where
- Maharashtra, specifically Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections
- Why
- To consolidate the 'Marathi Manus' constituency and challenge BJP's dominance
- Parties Involved
- Shiv Sena (UBT), Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, NCP (SP faction), Congress
- Key Figures
- Uddhav Thackeray, Raj Thackeray, Devendra Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde, Sharad Pawar
- Geographical Scope
- Maharashtra, specifically Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections
- Electoral Performance
- Shiv Sena (UBT) secured 20 seats, MNS failed to win any seat in 2024 Assembly elections
- Alliance Objective
- Consolidate 'Marathi Manus' constituency ahead of 2025–26 civic polls
- BJP's Advantage
- Strong appeal among non-Marathi Hindutva voters, PM Modi's electoral influence, and strategic use of freebies
- Upcoming Elections
- BMC elections on January 15, with multiple parties contesting
Sources
Daily Briefing: The Thackerays reunite
Buffer Zones At Risk Of Mining: Centrally Empowered Committee Report Warns Of New Aravalli ‘Definition’
Congress asks Centre why it is pushing ‘fatally flawed’ redefinition of Aravallis
In Rajasthan, why ‘Save Aravalli Hills’ stir marks new flashpoint, tests BJP, Cong
No end to Aravalli controversy even as Yadav goes on overdrive to thrash allegations
UPSC Key: New Aravalli benchmark, BlueBird Block-2, and Punjab’s 3 new ‘holy cities’
Endorsing Aravallis definition is flawed. Legal errors can be amended, but ecological destruction cannot
Will coming together of Thackeray cousins be enough to take on BJP in Maharashtra?
