Thackeray Cousins Unite Against BJP-Shinde Alliance in High-Stakes Mumbai Civic Polls as BMC Battle Decides Political Future
[By Sapna Desai Mumbai Samachar Desk]
Mumbai: Following the split of Shiv Sena, Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde battled each other in the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. Now, the political rivals are set to clash in the state’s municipal corporation elections. However, this year’s Mumbai Municipal Corporation election is shaping up to be extraordinary, as estranged cousins Uddhav and Raj Thackeray separated for years have joined hands, setting aside their enmity in the name of Marathi identity to capture control of the BMC.
In the electoral arena, Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena will face direct contests with the BJP on 97 seats and with Shinde’s Sena on 67 seats. Meanwhile, MNS and Shinde’s faction will compete against each other on 18 seats. The outcome in these wards will determine who secures a majority in the Mumbai Municipal Corporation and who ultimately governs. The BMC election is considered crucial not just for Uddhav and Raj, but also for Shinde to maintain his political relevance in Mumbai.
The two brothers reportedly joined forces to prevent the division of Marathi votes in Mumbai. However, in reality, this election has become a do-or-die battle for Raj to preserve his party’s existence alongside Uddhav. Securing a majority and governing what is called not only India’s but Asia’s richest municipal corporation is the dream of every political party. This BMC election, happening after nearly nine years, will be distinctly different from the previous two contests.
For the first time since the split of Shiv Sena which governed the BMC with the BJP for approximately 25 years Uddhav Thackeray’s faction is contesting without the BJP’s support. Uddhav’s Sena has entered the fray in alliance with Raj Thackeray’s MNS, while the BJP and Shinde Sena are fighting together. Mumbaikars will vote on January 15, and whether the Thackeray brothers receive support or the Shinde-BJP alliance prevails will be revealed with the results on January 16. Political analysts believe the election results will truly prove who holds sway in Mumbai.
For both Thackeray brothers, separated for years, winning the BMC elections is essential to maintain their existence in Mumbai and across the state. This time, instead of development, Marathi pride and the Marathi person’s identity have become the key issues, meaning the election result depends on which leader the Marathi population trusts with their votes.
In the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, several leaders who abandoned Uddhav faced defeat, including Yamini Jadhav, Sada Sarvankar, and Rahul Shewale. In the Shiv Sena versus Shiv Sena battle, individuals once considered extremely close to Uddhav Thackeray lost. Over the past three years, more than 40 former corporators loyal to Thackeray have joined Shinde’s camp. For Raj Thackeray’s MNS, this may be the last opportunity to preserve the party’s existence.
The BJP is contesting based on its traditional voter base built over years. Shinde’s Sena is seeking Marathi votes by claiming to be the true inheritor of Bal Thackeray’s legacy and the genuine well-wisher of Marathis. Meanwhile, Uddhav’s Sena is also soliciting votes as the authentic Shiv Sena of Bal Thackeray and the true advocate for Mumbai’s Marathi population. Political experts suggest that this election could potentially be the final battle for both Shiv Sena factions to demonstrate their strength in Mumbai.
The contest between Uddhav and Shinde Sena depends on whom the Marathi population votes for. If Shinde’s faction suffers a setback, it could severely damage the BJP’s plan to install its own mayor in the BMC, as the party has conceded 90 seats to Shinde Sena.
In Marathi-dominated areas like Shivaji Park, Worli, Dadar, Mahim, Wadala, Bhandup, Vikhroli, Ghatkopar West, Magathane, Dindoshi, Dahisar, Bandra East, and Kalina, Sena candidates will clash with rival Sena nominees.
For the BMC’s 227 seats, Uddhav’s Shiv Sena (UBT) is contesting 163 seats, BJP 137 seats, MNS 53 seats, and Sharad Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party 11 seats. Congress and Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi are also in the fight together.