Thackeray family united in BMC elections, Uddhav and Raj Thackeray planned to contest elections together, Congress boasted of contesting alone.

Mumbai:Before the municipal elections of Maharashtra including Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), a big development has come to light in the politics of the state. Preparations for a strategic alliance between Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) are considered almost certain. The main objective of this alliance is said to be to unite Marathi voters and give a tough challenge to the ruling party. Senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and MP Sanjay Raut has publicly shared the information about this political equation.

Formal announcement may be made next week

According to Sanjay Raut, the formal announcement of alliance between Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray can be made next week. He said that with the coming together of the two leaders, new confidence and enthusiasm is being seen in the Marathi society. Describing it as the need of the hour, Raut said that this alliance can change the direction and condition of municipal elections.

Preparation to fight together in 29 municipal corporations

Raut claimed that Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS are preparing to jointly contest elections in 29 municipal corporations of the state including Mumbai. He said that if there is any kind of political attack on this alliance, it will be responded to strongly. According to Raut, the aim of both the Thackeray leaders is to come together and enter the electoral fray.

Special focus will be on these major cities

Sanjay Raut said that both the parties will contest elections together in major municipal corporations like Mumbai, Thane, Kalyan-Dombivli, Mira-Bhayander, Pune and Nashik. In other municipal corporations, the decision will be taken on the basis of local conditions and suggestions of leaders. Terming it as the decisive battle of Mumbai, he said that the city will be prevented from falling into the hands of external forces.

Marathi identity and urban issues will be at the center

Raut says that this alliance will present a strong alternative not only for power, but on issues like Marathi language, local culture, urban infrastructure and better civil administration. He claims that the question of Marathi identity will once again play an important role in the elections and this alliance can change the picture of Mumbai politics.

Congress kept distance

Congress does not seem happy with this political development. Despite being a part of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), Congress has made it clear that it will not join this alliance of Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS. Congress believes that its strategy will be different in local elections.

Sanjay Raut’s warning to Congress

Taking aim at Congress, Sanjay Raut said that at present Congress does not seem to be standing together in this fight. He said that Congress’s confidence has increased after the recent election results, but in an important election like Mumbai, it should take decisions responsibly. Raut warned that if any step was taken at any level that would benefit the BJP, the public would remember it. He also reminded that Lok Sabha and Assembly elections are also to be held in the future.

Congress will enter the field alone

Meanwhile, Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant clarified that Congress was not taken into confidence regarding the alliance between Raj and Uddhav Thackeray. He said that the people of Mumbai do not want division on the basis of religion or language, but want development, clean air and better standard of living. For this reason, Congress has decided to contest the Municipal Corporation elections alone and will focus on strengthening its local units.

New turn in electoral politics

Overall, the possible alliance of the Thackeray brothers and the different stand of the Congress can bring a new twist in the municipal politics of Maharashtra. In the coming days, it will become clear how much this new equation affects the mathematics of power.