BMC Elections 2025: Calling BMC polls an ‘acid test’, Uddhav Thackeray signals openness to MNS partnership

by Webdesk
18 Sep 2025

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has described the forthcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections as an “acid test” for his faction, stressing that the contest will be crucial to assert the party’s strength in Mumbai’s political landscape. In a key internal meeting held at Shiv Sena Bhavan with shakha pramukhs and divisional heads, Uddhav directed his workers to begin groundwork immediately across all 227 wards, while also indicating that talks with cousin Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) are making progress.

Addressing party functionaries in the closed-door meeting, Uddhav reportedly told his colleagues that this election must be treated as a battle for prestige. He emphasized that the Shiv Sena (UBT) must aim to install its own mayor in the BMC, a civic body it has dominated for nearly three decades.

According to sources present, Uddhav reminded his supporters that since 1997, every BMC poll has been dubbed an “acid test” for the party, but each time the Sena has emerged stronger because of the faith shown by its grassroots cadre. “This election will be no different,” he asserted, urging leaders to stay connected with people at the local level and build momentum for the campaign.

On the possibility of an alliance with the MNS, Uddhav acknowledged that conversations were actively taking place. Several former corporators advised him that a partnership with Raj Thackeray’s party could give the Sena (UBT) an edge among Marathi voters, a demographic crucial to the outcome of the elections. The MNS is believed to have initially demanded 90–95 seats out of the 227, but senior figures from both sides have hinted that seat-by-seat negotiations could lower that number significantly.

Earlier in the week, Uddhav had also suggested in public remarks that a tie-up with the MNS was “almost finalized” and would be announced when the timing was right. This has generated considerable buzz in state politics, given that the cousins had been estranged for over two decades before their recent rapprochement.

During the meeting, Uddhav also addressed the issue of former corporators who defected to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s camp and are now seeking a way back into the party. He made it clear that there was no certainty about offering them tickets. “Many of their places have already been filled by loyal Shiv Sainiks. If they wish to return, it will depend entirely on you, the grassroots workers,” Uddhav reportedly told shakha pramukhs. He added that several defectors were attempting to send messages “through intermediaries,” but their re-entry would only happen with the consent of local cadres.

Turning his focus to the BJP-Shinde alliance, Uddhav launched a sharp attack, accusing the ruling combine of working with the sole aim of destroying the Thackeray brand. He alleged that despite holding rallies, the BJP leadership had refrained from targeting the Congress or the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), focusing exclusively on him instead. “That itself shows their mission. Which is why this BMC election is our acid test,” he declared.

To boost the morale of his party workers, Uddhav recalled the Sena’s past performance in the civic body, noting that the party once secured 103 corporator seats in the BMC. He urged his cadres to actively highlight the development work and administrative achievements accomplished during the Sena’s control of the civic body over the last two decades.

Referring to his recent outreach to Raj Thackeray, Uddhav remarked that their reunion had been positively received by the public. He revealed that even Congress and NCP leaders had been enquiring about the Sena (UBT)’s next moves, but he asked his own workers to leave those decisions to him. “Our focus must remain on preparing fully for all 227 wards,” he concluded, urging the party rank and file to begin intense groundwork with unity and discipline.

In framing the upcoming civic polls as both a battle of survival and a test of loyalty, Uddhav has sent a clear message: the BMC election will not just decide the political future of the Sena (UBT) in Mumbai but will also serve as a referendum on his leadership in the post-split era.

Image Courtesy:

02 Jan 2026

BMC Elections

BMC Elections 2025: Calling BMC polls an ‘acid test’, Uddhav Thackeray signals openness to MNS partnership

Related News

BMC Election: किती उमेदवारांचे अर्ज वैध, किती बाद? मुंबई महापालिकेत अखेर कितीजण मैदानात?

मुंबईकरांसाठी मोठी घोषणा: १० रुपयांचा नाश्ता आणि महिलांना १५०० रुपये, ज्युनिअर ठाकरेंचा महामेगाप्लान उघड

BMC निवडणूक: ठाकरे बंधूंची 227 उमेदवारांची अंतिम यादी जाहीर! तुमच्या प्रभागातून कोण मैदानात? पाहा सविस्तर

Mumbai civic polls: NCP to approach State Election Commission, alleges bias favouring BJP–Shiv Sena candidates