BMC polls: Thackeray brothers’ deal finalised; 145–150 seats for Shiv Sena (UBT), 65–70 for MNS

MUMBAI: With their agreement on seat-sharing finalised for the BMC and other municipal corporation elections, Uddhav and Raj Thackeray will formally announce the political alliance of their parties, the Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS, on Wednesday.

The cousins will hold a press meet at Worli in the afternoon to make the announcement, Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said in a post on X.

UBT Sena functionaries said under the proposed formula, Sena (UBT) will get 145 to 150 seats in Mumbai, the MNS 65 to 70 seats, while 10 to 12 seats will be given to NCP (SP). Sena (UBT) has “left” 12 to 15 of seats where it had corporators for MNS; in a majority of these seats, the former corporators have joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.




Raut said “the issue regarding Congress is currently closed, but Sena (UBT) will continue to talk to Congress till the end.” Congress has decided to go it alone in the BMC polls.

Raut said that final touches to the pact were made on Monday night. “The Sena (UBT) and MNS workers have accepted the alliance. There is no disagreement over seatsharing. The alliance was formed when the two brothers came together in Worli in July,” he said.

He further said, “The issue of seat-sharing in Nashik, Pune, KDMC, Thane, Mira Bhayandar is over. Discussions are underway with NCP (SP) MLA Jayant Patil regarding an alliance. He is also in talks with Uddhav Thackeray.”

MNS functionary Sandeep Deshpande said, “There is no tussle anymore. There was some last-minute discussion on candidates and winnability. The cousins are coming together for Mumbai and for the Marathi manoos. No one is upset in either party. Workers will sacrifice for Mumbai so there will be no rebels.”