Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Aug 15: In a rare show of unity after decades of political estrangement, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray will contest upcoming civic polls together in Mumbai, Thane, Nashik and Kalyan-Dombivli, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut announced on Friday.

Raut said the alliance symbolises the unity of Marathi-speaking people and claimed “no power can break the iron fist of Marathi manus now.” Civic polls are due in multiple key cities, with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) seen as a prestige battle for Uddhav’s camp.

The move comes amid growing opposition to what the parties call the BJP-led government’s push for Hindi “imposition” in Maharashtra. Earlier this month, the cousins shared a stage in Mumbai to celebrate the rollback of government resolutions on making Hindi compulsory as a third language.

Uddhav Thackeray vowed to “capture power in Mumbai civic body and Maharashtra” with Raj by his side, while Raj accused the BJP of using caste and language issues to divide people. The ruling Mahayuti alliance — comprising the BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP — has dismissed the challenge, asserting it will win all civic polls.