‘Save Mumbai’: Raj Thackeray calls for MNS-Sena (UBT) unity ahead of BMC polls

Ahead of Mumbai’s high-stakes civic battle, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Monday gave a strong political call to “Save Mumbai,” urging his party cadre to set aside differences and work unitedly with the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction). The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections are scheduled to take place on 15 January 2026 in Mumbai.

Addressing party workers at the Rangasharda auditorium, Raj Thackeray highlighted that the upcoming civic polls were crucial for the future of Mumbai and the rights of the Marathi manoos. He warned that forces were at work to separate Mumbai from Maharashtra and said such attempts must be defeated.

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Raj Thackeray appealed to MNS functionaries to work in coordination with Shiv Sena (UBT), stressing that unity among Marathi parties was essential to ensure victory in the civic body elections and to save Mumbai’s identity.

“Some people are dreaming of breaking Mumbai away from Maharashtra. This dream must be crushed,” MNS leader Bala Nandgaonkar said, quoting Raj Thackeray. “No fight is bigger than Maharashtra, and this election is vital for the Marathi manoos.”

‘Will save Mumbai even at the cost of our lives’: Sanjay Raut

Backing Raj Thackeray’s stance, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said “saving Mumbai” was the party’s sole agenda, even if it meant risking lives.

Speaking at a press conference, Raut alleged that those in power at the Centre and in Maharashtra were attempting to “strike a deal over Mumbai” and hand over control of the city to corporate interests. “We are fighting to foil these attempts. This struggle will continue on the streets,” he said.

Raut specifically accused the ruling dispensation of trying to hand over Mumbai to industrialist Gautam Adani. He claimed the Shiv Sena (UBT) was leading a broader resistance to such efforts, with support from the Left parties, the Shetkari Kamgar Party and the Congress.

Addressing political speculation, Raut said that despite personal relations between Adani and Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) chief Sharad Pawar, leaders and workers of the NCP (SP) were firmly aligned with the Shiv Sena (UBT) in the fight to protect Mumbai.

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