More than 20 years after they separated politically, Maharashtra’s heavyweights, the Thackeray brothers, are back together. Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray have confirmed their alliance for the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, and the duo shared the stage on Wednesday at a joint press conference in Mumbai.
“We have come together to stay together,” Uddhav told the media, sharing the stage with Raj. He called on those unhappy with whatever was going on within the BJP to join hands with the Shiv Sena (UBT)-MNS alliance in Maharashtra.
Uddhav, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) chief, and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) supremo Raj Thackeray earlier paid tributes to late Balasaheb Thackeray at his memorial at Shivaji Park before travelling together to the press conference venue, where the alliance for the BMC elections as well as for polls to several other civic bodies was announced.
A total of 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra are going to elections on January 15, with results due to be announced on January 16.
The reunion is being looked at by observers as a bid to consolidate the Marathi vote bank. The alliance will pose a direct threat to the ruling Mahayuti alliance, which includes the Bharatiya Janata Party, Shiv Sena (Shinde Faction) and Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar Faction).
It may be noted that Uddhav is the son of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray, who was a dominant force in Maharashtra politics till his demise in November 2012. Raj Thackeray, on the other hand, is the nephew of the late Maratha strongman.
#WATCH | Mumbai | Thackeray brothers come together for a family photograph after they announce an alliance of their parties for the upcoming Municipal Corporation Elections. pic.x.com/CD4CzI9wIx
— ANI (@ANI) December 24, 2025
‘Historic moment’
As the two leaders came together, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi told the media, “It is a historic moment, and we will head towards a historic victory… This is the need of the hour.”
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut had earlier confirmed the reunion, calling it a “Manomilan” (union of hearts). He said the workers of both parties have wholeheartedly accepted the coming together of the two brothers.
“The ‘Manomilan’ happened the moment the two brothers came together against the imposition of Hindi from Grade One in schools across Maharashtra,” Raut told reporters, referring to July when the two had first come together after years of separation.
Uddhav, Raj Thackeray pay tributes to late Balasaheb as Sanjay Raut pays surprise visit
Raut said the two Thackerays had joined hands and the only discussions left were on seat sharing.
He reiterated that the alliance was effectively sealed when Uddhav and Raj Thackeray appeared together in July to oppose the state government’s decision to introduce Hindi along with Marathi and English from Grade One. “Instructions have been issued to party cadres, and there is no confusion among the workers regarding the alliance,” Raut added.
#WATCH | Mumbai | MNS Chief Raj Thackeray announces the alliance of Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS ahead of the Municipal Corporation Elections. pic.x.com/FW9wtGldzr
— ANI (@ANI) December 24, 2025
‘No impact on Maharashtra politics’
Reacting to the Thackeray reunion, Maharashtra Minister Chandrashekar Bawankul said the development will have no impact on the state politics.
“Nothing will happen. When they were in power, they didn’t do any development in Mumbai. The public will vote for development. The public will vote for Devendra Fadnavis’s development plan for a developed Maharashtra. I am confident that no matter how many people come together, nothing will change the outcome… Raj and Uddhav ji parted ways. It was due to political reasons and for the same reason, they are coming together,” Bawankule told the media.