The possibility of an alliance between the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) will not be limited to Mumbai. The poll pact between the two parties, headed by Thackeray cousins Uddhav and Raj, is likely to extend to key municipal corporation elections in Thane, Kalyan-Dombivli, and Nashik as well.

On Friday, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and MP Sanjay Raut, speaking to the media in Nashik, hinted at an alliance beyond the Mumbai civic polls. “Two cousins, Uddhav and Raj Thackeray, have come together and will contest the BMC elections. Talks are ongoing to form an alliance in major municipal corporations. The unity of Marathi people is the combined strength of the Thackeray cousins, and it will continue,” Raut said.

Elections for the 227-seat Mumbai civic body and 28 other municipal corporations are expected in late 2025 or early 2026. In the 2017 BMC elections, the undivided Shiv Sena secured 84 seats, while the BJP won 82, just two short of matching Sena’s tally. The MNS had won 7 seats, but six corporators later joined Uddhav Thackeray’s camp.