Ahead of Mumbai civic polls, Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) and Raj Thackeray's MNS have agreed on seat sharing. Under the deal, Shiv Sena (UBT) will contest over 150 seats while MNS will field candidates on 60-70 seats. An official announcement is likely today.
Mumbai, December 23, 2025. A significant development has unfolded in Maharashtra politics as Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray have reached an agreement on seat sharing for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, which cover 227 seats. The alliance aims to consolidate the Marathi vote bank and prevent vote splitting that could benefit the ruling Mahayuti coalition.
Sources indicate that the deal was finalized after final talks on Monday. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut played a pivotal role, meeting Raj Thackeray to resolve disputes over 10-12 seats. Subsequently, MNS leaders Nitin Sardesai and Bala Nandgaonkar visited Matoshree to meet Uddhav Thackeray and seal the pact.
The remaining seats may go to NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar faction) and other allies. The official announcement is expected at a joint press conference at the NSCI Dome in Worli, viewed as a show of strength.
Congress may contest alone due to ideological differences with MNS, but the Uddhav faction is confident in its 'Ma-Mu' (Marathi-Muslim) strategy. Sanjay Raut is in touch with Rahul Gandhi to keep the Maha Vikas Aghadi united. NCP (SP) is also mediating to hold the opposition together.
Meanwhile, seat-sharing meetings continue between BJP and Shinde's Shiv Sena. This alliance could reshape Mumbai's political equations.
