The dates for BMC elections have been announced by the State Election Commission on Monday (15 December). Elections for 29 municipal corporations of Maharashtra will be held on January 15. Whose results will come on 16th January. Mahayuti has already started its preparations for this election. But the matter of Mahavikas Aghadi has not been settled yet. This time Congress is keeping distance from the Thackeray brothers. Mahavikas Aghadi seems to be in trouble regarding this.

Due to the increased closeness between the Thackeray brothers in recent times, the leaders of Shiv Sena’s Uddhav faction are now increasing their closeness with MNS only regarding the BMC elections. Somewhere, bypassing Congress, they are forming an alliance with MNS. Congress told that their preparations are complete. Among these 29 municipal corporations, political parties especially have stakes on TMC of Thane, PMC of Pune and the richest municipal corporation of Mumbai, BMC.

Shiv Sena’s Uddhav Thackeray faction showed its attitude to Congress

The picture of Mahavikas Aghadi is now visible only in name. Uddhav Thackeray’s army has now started showing its attitude towards the ally Congress. Sanjay Raut was continuously saying that we will talk to the high command regarding BMC elections. Now he says that the Delhi Congress high command has given the decision to the local Congress, the decision is theirs.

Don’t know about Mahavikas Aghadi but all the parties have started their respective meetings and preparations. Rounds of meetings are going on in Mumbai Congress. There are intense discussions that Congress is planning to contest the BMC elections alone.

In such a situation, on going with AIMIM and the indifference of Uddhav’s army, Maharashtra Congress MLA Vijay Wadettiwar, while talking to ABP News, said that there will be no BMC elections in Mumbai but in the remaining municipal elections, Shiv Sena will contest the elections along with UBT and MNS. That means we are not together in BMC elections but are together in other elections.

Sharad Pawar’s party cleared the picture

In such a situation, Sharad Pawar’s NCP, which is isolated, has avoided any controversy and has said that in this municipal election, the Nationalist Congress Party will contest elections everywhere in alliance with Mahavikas Aghadi.

In such a situation, one thing is clear from the statement of Mahavikas Aghadi that alliances are being used everywhere only after seeing their own benefit. The slogan of Mahavikas Aghadi is ‘We are together’ where there is loss and where there is need to be alone and dependent on others.

Elections have been announced for BMC, the country’s largest municipal corporation. Voting will be done on January 15 and counting of votes will take place on January 16. The big question is who will take over this municipal corporation dominated by Thackeray’s Shiv Sena this time? This time, along with the political scenario, the map has also changed in BMC.

There are 236 seats here, in 2017 there were 227 seats. BMC elections were to be held in the year 2022, but they were delayed due to issues related to ward delimitation and reservation. In September 2025, the Supreme Court had said that local body elections should be completed by January 31, 2026.

In the 2017 elections, Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena emerged as the largest party and captured the post of Mayor in alliance with BJP. Shiv Sena had got maximum 84 seats. BJP had got 82 seats. Shiv Sena was united then under the leadership of Uddhav Thackeray. Whereas Congress won 31 seats, NCP 9, MNS 7 and AIMIM won two seats.

This time, till the announcement of elections, there has been no announcement on the alliance formula in both the party and opposition camps. An alliance is expected with a friendly fight in the elections. BJP, Shiv Sena Shinde faction and Ajit Pawar’s NCP are definitely talking about fighting together, but there is every possibility of a friendly fight.

Angry Eknath Shinde!

In fact, during the Panchayat elections, Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde appeared quite angry with the BJP’s stance. The party said that BJP has defeated their leaders.

Such was his displeasure that he did not even attend the cabinet meeting. However, after the elections, BJP did damage control. There was a long meeting between Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Shinde and after this BJP announced that we will fight the local elections together. At the same time, BJP is angry with Ajit Pawar’s NCP. NCP has given command of BMC elections to Nawab Malik, BJP is opposing it. In such a situation, the time to come will tell what will be the equation of Mahayuti in the elections.

NCP will take decision today

NCP has called a meeting on Tuesday (16 December) at 4 pm. Sources said that whether to contest the elections as a grand alliance or to consider any other option, this will be discussed in today’s meeting.

Small workers have a lot of expectations from local elections, in such a situation all the parties want to bring maximum seats to their side. The grand alliance of all three parties is currently in the Maharashtra government. At the same time, small parties like RPI are also hoping to get seats in Mahayuti.

BJP is going to start the first round of talks with constituent parties for BMC elections from today. BJP will hold talks with Shiv Sena and RPI Athawale today.

condition of opposition alliance

There is confusion about the stand of Congress due to Shiv Sena (Uddhav faction) and Raj Thackeray joining MNS in the opposition. Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray have come together after 20 years. Both the brothers are faced with the challenge of survival. Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut has reached MNS President Raj Thackeray’s house today to discuss seat sharing.

The unity of the Thackeray brothers put the Congress in a dilemma. Different voices are being raised within the party. Some believe that one should fight separately from Thackeray. At the same time, some party leaders also believe that fighting with Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS will be beneficial.

Regarding the conversation, Sanjay Raut said, “There may be a formal announcement from the Thackeray brothers this week.” As of now I don’t think Congress is with us. I had spoken to the Congress High Command, who had left the decision to the local unit. Let us tell you that Congress has called a meeting today regarding BMC elections.

The stand of Sharad Pawar’s NCP (SP) is awaited. The closeness between uncle and nephew has increased in recent times amidst confusion regarding Ajit Pawar in Mahayuti and Sharad Pawar in MVA. Recently, Prafulla Patel of Ajit Pawar group attended Sharad Pawar’s birthday party. The photo of the meeting sparked a new discussion in political circles.

In the last assembly and Lok Sabha elections, Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress and NCP (SP) had contested together. This Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance defeated Mahayuti in the Lok Sabha elections, however, it suffered a crushing defeat in the Assembly elections.

The last election was held on 21 February 2017 and the result was announced on 23 February. Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is considered to be the largest municipal corporation in Asia. In the last budget, an expenditure of about Rs 75,000 crore was estimated for the current financial year. In such a situation, the eyes of all parties are fixed on BMC.

In Maharashtra, the matter of inclusion of 2020 Palghar lynching case accused Kashinath Choudhary in BJP has gained momentum. Shiv Sena (UBT) chief and former Chief Minister has targeted BJP and Mahayuti government regarding this. Uddhav Thackeray was addressing the function of his party workers. During this, he made a scathing attack on Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde.

Uddhav Thackeray asked to apologize to Hindu society for including Kashinath Choudhary in BJP. Raised a question to Thackeray, “How come all his sins have been forgiven today?”

Uddhav Thackeray targets Eknath Shinde

Uddhav Thackeray, while targeting Eknath Shinde without naming him, said that he stayed with us for 25 years, walked with us in the name of Hindutva, we adopted him, made him sit on our shoulders, took him from village to village. When they reached the top, they started kicking us. Uddhav Thackeray further said in a sarcastic tone that Delhi used to move due to the hoofs of Maratha horses. Today the same people are seen licking the shoes of Delhi. They are not from the saffron family, they are traitors.

Furious over inclusion of Kashinath Choudhary in BJP

Uddhav Thackeray expressed strong objection to the inclusion of Kashinath Choudhary, accused of killing sadhus in Palghar in 2020, in BJP. He said that at that time when I was the Chief Minister, Shiv Sena was being called anti-Hindutva. Today the same Kashinath Chaudhary has joined BJP. If he was guilty then why was he taken to the party and if he was innocent then why was he put in jail?

Uddhav Thakar asked BJP and Devendra Fadnavis to apologize to entire Maharashtra and Hindu society in Palghar case. Thackeray taunted that this becomes love jihad for others and immortal love for BJP itself.

Accused of giving tickets to drug mafia

Uddhav Thackeray, while targeting Modi government and Maharashtra government, said that the country is being ruined, anyone is being recruited into the party without investigation. A drug mafia was even given a mayor’s ticket.

Remembered Balasaheb Thackeray’s Shiv Sena

Boosting the morale of Shiv Sainiks, Uddhav Thackeray said that a person grows old not by age but by thinking. You all stood with Balasaheb like his shield. No one had the courage to look up. Today Shiv Sena is alive because of you people.

Recalling the incident of Janata Party era of 1977, he said that Shiv Sainiks had destroyed Morarji Desai’s meeting in Shivaji Park at the gesture of a finger.

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has taken a sharp dig at Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s visit to Delhi. Speaking on the ongoing tussle and disunity in Mahayuti, he said that one Baba went to Delhi saying he has killed me. This helplessness would not have occurred if I had got a good teacher.

Uddhav Thackeray further said that it is the job of the teacher to teach whether to choose pebbles from rice or rice from pebbles. He said that it is important to give this understanding to every generation. During this time he has also attacked the government.

If someone else gives you a favor, then we give you a favor – Uddhav Thackeray

Shiv Sena UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray also strongly attacked the “Rewari culture”. He said that today’s politics means, if someone else gives it then you will be rude, we will give you a favor! He further said that they will give the computer immediately, but what will be filled in it? If someone gives a blank copy, what will he give to write? Uddhav further said whether they are children or donkeys? Why do you allow me to carry such a burden?

Who was the father of Mumbai Municipal Corporation in the last years – Uddhav Thackeray

Taking aim at the Mumbai Municipal Corporation, he said that in the last three-four years, it is not known who is the father of the Municipal Corporation. He said that no one knows what is going on inside. Uddhav said that due to Aditya’s work, for the first time lines were formed for admission in municipal schools.

Uddhav said that a good teacher can teach all the schools from the studio. Taking aim at Shinde, he said that it is said that girls’ education is free, but there is no money to pay the fees. There is nothing at home, how to teach girls?

These allegations of Uddhav Thackeray have created an uproar in the politics of Maharashtra. Let us tell you that there are speculations that Eknath Shinde is angry with the government. In such a situation, amidst the resentment, various kinds of speculations are being made regarding his visit to Delhi.

Before the civic elections in Maharashtra, especially BMC elections, Congress has announced that the party will contest the elections alone on its own. That is, Congress wants to separate from the opposition alliance Mahavikas Aghadi (MVA) and enter the electoral fray. The reason for this is the coming together of the Thackeray brothers and especially the displeasure with Raj Thackeray. However, Congress has no rift with Sharad Pawar. In such a situation, will Sharad Pawar also have to bear the loss of resentment from Thackeray brothers?

Amidst all these questions, on the morning of Wednesday, November 19, a picture emerged which has intensified the stir in the political circles of Maharashtra. In fact, regarding the BMC elections, a delegation of Mumbai Congress reached NCP chief Sharad Pawar’s residence Silver Oak to meet him.

In this Congress delegation led by Varsha Gaikwad, Amin Patel, Aslam Shaikh and Jyoti Gaikwad reached Sharad Pawar’s residence. It is believed that this meeting has taken place to discuss the strategies of the alliance before the upcoming local body elections.

Congress does not want an alliance between Sharad Pawar and Thackeray brothers?

It is being speculated that there could be many angles to this meeting between senior Congress leaders and Sharad Pawar. First of all, Congress is trying to ensure that Sharad Pawar’s NCP stays in alliance with them on some seats and does not make alliance with Uddhav-Raj Thackeray.

Congress does not want that without it the MVA alliance will now become an alliance of Uddhav-Raj and Sharad Pawar. In such a situation, Congress will try to ensure that Sharad Pawar also breaks the alliance with Uddhav Thackeray.

Will Congress compromise on the decision to fight alone?

Now the question arises that when Congress has already announced on several occasions that it has to field candidates on all the seats in the civic elections on its own, then why does it now want to meet Sharad Pawar and form an alliance? Will Congress withdraw its decision to fight alone?

Will Sharad Pawar also leave Uddhav Thackeray?

Due to the meeting of Congress leaders and Sharad Pawar, it is also being speculated that NCP-SP can now decide on the strategy for the civic elections with Congress. It is certain that Congress will not contest the elections with Uddhav Thackeray. In such a situation, will Sharad Pawar also leave the Thackeray brothers?

Answers to all these questions can be found only after the official statement of senior party leaders, but till now neither Uddhav Thackeray-Raj Thackeray, nor Sharad Pawar nor any Congress leader has made any statement regarding the status of MVA. In such a situation, the situation of the opposition alliance party is in confusion.

Preparations for BMC elections have intensified in Mumbai, all the parties are busy in strategy meetings and meanwhile, Congress has increased the political stir by taking a big decision. Congress has made it clear that it is going to fight the BMC elections alone and not with Mahavikas Aghadi (MVA). After this announcement, different reactions came out from the partner parties, due to which the internal strife of the alliance has come to the fore.

According to the court order, BMC elections will have to be held by the end of January 2026. Amidst this countdown, in the Mumbai meeting of Congress on Saturday (15 November), party in-charge Ramesh Chennathila announced that Congress will contest the BMC elections alone. He said that the party will contest the elections on its own and will not join any alliance.

This is not happening for the first time – Supriya Sule

NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule gave a mild reaction to this announcement of Congress. He said that there is nothing new in this, many times in the past also parties have been changing their decisions just before the elections. Sule said that talks have not taken place with Congress yet, when the talks take place then this will definitely be discussed.

Congress should not make its situation like Bihar – Uddhav group

On the other hand, Uddhav Thackeray group spokesperson Anand Dubey launched a scathing attack on Congress. He said that if Congress contests elections alone, its condition will become like that of Bihar. Dubey also said that now distance has been maintained from Congress in INDIA alliance and only he is supporting Congress. If Congress puts the same issue before him then it will come down to zero.

It doesn’t matter whether someone comes or goes – Fadnavis

On the ongoing tension between Congress and MVA, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that the opposition has tried fighting together and can also try fighting separately, but to no avail. Modi is in the minds of the public and the BJP-alliance is doing public service 24 hours. He said that it does not matter to him whether someone stays with him or not.

Congress hit back

Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe hit back at both Fadnavis and the Uddhav group. Londhe said that the government is misusing the institutions and they should not show arrogance. He challenged that if you have courage then elections should be conducted through ballot paper.

Taking a dig at the Uddhav faction, he said that Congress will go only with those people whose ideology follows the path of Ambedkar, Shahu and Phule. After Congress’ reply, BJP leader Ashish Shelar also came into the field. He said that one needs strength to fight alone and Congress does not have that strength. Congress is neither infamous nor does it have any workers left.

The political temperature in Maharashtra has become high regarding the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections (BMC Election) and all the political parties have started preparations to make their place. There has also been news of the Thackeray brothers coming together before the BMC elections. It is believed that Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray are going to contest the elections together with each other this time. However, Mahavikas Aghadi (MVA) ally Congress had clearly opposed it.

In such a situation, the question now arises whether Raj Thackeray will be allowed to contest elections by joining Mahavikas Aghadi? However, now it has been clearly stated by the Congress that the Congress will contest the Municipal Corporation elections on its own. This means that the opposition coalition party MVA will break.

Vijay Wadettiwar’s claim – Congress will contest elections alone

This has been announced by senior Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar. Vijay Wadettiwar said that the world’s largest municipal corporation is Mumbai. Our Mumbai Municipal Corporation leaders have decided that we will fight independently. Therefore, the question does not arise as to how many seats have to be left for whom. Wadettiwar has been clearly told that this decision has been taken at the local level after discussion with the Congress high command.

On Saturday (November 8), an unidentified drone was seen flying outside ‘Matoshree’, the residence of the Thackeray family in Bandra area of ​​Mumbai. As soon as this video went viral on social media, there was a stir in the area. The presence of drones in this area, considered a high security zone, has worried both the security agencies and the Thackeray faction.

According to eyewitnesses, this drone was seen flying for some time on the road between Matoshree and MMRDA office. As soon as the personnel deployed for the security of Matoshree saw the drone, they immediately recorded its video and informed the concerned security officials.

There was a stir due to drone flying in Matoshree campus

According to the information, after this incident, the Thackeray faction alleged that people coming to meet Uddhav Thackeray were being spied on through this drone. Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Ambadas Danve said that Matoshree complex comes in high security zone. Despite this, flying such drones is a very serious matter from security point of view. Is someone spying on Matoshree? Need to know this.

What statement did the police give on the incident?

At the same time, Mumbai Police issued a statement clarifying the situation on this matter. Police said that drone survey permitted by MMRDA is going on in BKC and Kherwadi area. Please avoid spreading any kind of wrong information. Police also said that this drone was probably part of the same survey and is not a case of any personal surveillance.

However, the Thackeray faction does not seem satisfied with this explanation. He says that whether drone survey is allowed or not, the flight of such equipment over or around Matoshree should be completely banned.

Matoshree campus falls in red zone

It is noteworthy that according to the drone policy, many areas of Mumbai, especially VIP and government residential areas, fall in the Red Zone, where flying drones without special permission is completely prohibited.

After this incident, security arrangements have been tightened around Matoshree. The local police have also started examining the CCTV footage installed in the surrounding areas to find out from where the drone was flown and for what purpose. The investigation into the matter is ongoing. Security agencies are not ruling out any possible threat or possibility of espionage.

Also read- Ajit Pawar reacted on the land dispute related to son Parth Pawar, know what the Deputy CM said

On one hand, there seems to be a rift in the India alliance amid Bihar elections. Due to lack of consensus on seats, Hemant Soren’s Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has decided to separate from the alliance and fight alone. It is believed that this may also affect the India alliance in Jharkhand. At the same time, now in the third state i.e. Maharashtra also the opposition alliance seems to be fading.

On one hand, Uddhav Thackeray is trying to include his brother Raj Thackeray in Mahavikas Aghadi (MVA), while on the other hand, Congress is planning to end this alliance. In fact, before the Maharashtra civic elections, Congress leader Bhai Jagtap has announced that the party can contest alone.

‘There will be no alliance with Uddhav Thackeray’- Bhai Jagtap

Congress leader Bhai Jagtap has also given a big statement. Talking to ABP News, he said that Congress will not join hands with Raj Thackeray and will not contest elections in alliance with Uddhav Thackeray. Bhai Jagtap has clearly said – “You are not going with Uddhav Thackeray. Forget about Raj Thackeray.”

‘Congress will not go with Raj Thackeray at all’- Varsha Gaikwad

Apart from this, amid speculations about Raj Thackeray joining Mahavikas Aghadi (MVA), Mumbai Congress President Varsha Gaikwad, without taking the name of Raj Thackeray’s party, said, “We will not go with those who do not believe in the Constitution and the law.”

Varsha Gaikwad further said, “Crackers are being burst in Diwali but some people are trying to burst crackers in politics but the crackers turned out to be chaff. We are ready to burst bombs and people will support it.” Regarding Raj Thackeray, the Congress leader said that we will not go with those who do not believe in the Constitution of the country.

In Mumbai, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena president Raj Thackeray on Sunday (October 12) visited Matoshree, the residence of his cousin and Shiv Sena (Ubhata) chief Uddhav Thackeray. This is the second time in a week that Raj Thackeray has reached Matoshree.

When asked by journalists about the purpose of this meeting, Raj Thackeray said, ‘My mother is with me.’ He was indicating that this is a family reunion. However, this meeting comes amid speculations about the two cousins ​​coming together for the important Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections.

Also met at Sanjay Raut’s family function

Raj Thackeray had also visited Matoshree last Sunday after attending a function of Shiv Sena (Ubhatha) leader Sanjay Raut’s family. The two cousins, who were once estranged from each other, seem to be reconciling after their defeat in the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections.

Last time Uddhav Thackeray had gone to meet Raj Thackeray at Shivtirtha Niwas, but at that time he was alone. On Sunday, Raj Thackeray along with his family reached Uddhav Thackeray’s Matoshree residence. This makes it clear that the relationship between Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray is getting stronger.

Meanwhile, discussions are going on about the MNS-Thackeray Sena alliance for the elections of local self-rule institutions. Now the closeness between these two brothers, who were separated for many years, is increasing and there is talk of a direct political alliance. But Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS have not yet announced the alliance for the BMC elections, although their leaders have confirmed that this alliance is going to happen.

When were the Thackeray brothers seen together?

1. 5 July 2025 – Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray were seen on the same stage in the Marathi language Vijay Melawa.

2. 27 July 2025 – After the Marathi language fair, the closeness between the two increased and Raj Thackeray reached Matoshree Niwas on the birthday of Uddhav Thackeray.

3. 27 August 2025 – The discussion of this meeting started gaining momentum in politics and after almost two decades, Uddhav Thackeray reached Raj Thackeray’s Shivtirtha residence on the occasion of Ganeshotsav.

4. 10 September 2025 – The auspicious time of Ganeshotsav became the reason for this meeting, but the conversation remained incomplete. After this, in the month of September, Uddhav Thackeray again reached Shivtirth Niwas with his family.

5. October 5, 2025 – Will the Thackeray brothers, who came together on July 5, now form an alliance in the Local Swarajya Sanstha and Municipality elections? Amidst this discussion, for the fifth time in three months, the Thackeray brothers today appeared together with their family at the naming ceremony of Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut’s grandson.

6. 12 October 2025 – Raj Thackeray along with his mother attended the Snehbhojan program at Matoshree along with Uddhav Thackeray.