Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Aug 4: As political currents begin to shift ahead of the crucial Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Chhagan Bhujbal on Monday said that the MahaYuti alliance will win comfortably — regardless of the unexpected reunion between Uddhav and Raj Thackeray.

“Their coming together is significant. It marks the return of the old Shiv Sena spirit. Yes, their seat tally may improve, but MahaYuti will emerge as the largest bloc regardless,” Bhujbal asserted.

The veteran politician, who began his career under Bal Thackeray and later moved to the Congress and then NCP, now supports the Ajit Pawar faction that aligns with the BJP-led MahaYuti coalition.

Bhujbal’s remarks come in the wake of visible political thaw between the estranged Thackeray cousins, who recently appeared on shared platforms after two decades of estrangement.

Last month, Raj Thackeray visited Uddhav’s residence, 'Matoshree', on his birthday, followed by shared appearances at political and public events, including joint agitations against the mandatory imposition of Hindi in schools.

At a recent party program, Raj Thackeray urged his Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers to unite, referencing the symbolic reunion:

“If we two brothers can reunite after 20 years, so can you. Begin BMC poll preparations with unity. I’ll handle the matter of any alliance with Shiv Sena (UBT),” he said, adding confidently, “This time, MNS will come to power 100 per cent in the municipal elections.”

Despite the renewed chemistry between the Thackerays, Bhujbal downplayed any threat, framing the reunion as emotional rather than electoral.

Political observers believe that a potential UBT–MNS alliance could sway Marathi votes in Mumbai, traditionally a Shiv Sena bastion, but MahaYuti’s strong organisational machinery and vote share across demographics still give it an edge.

With the BMC polls expected later this year, the race for Mumbai is heating up, setting the stage for an intense face-off between a fragmented Opposition attempting to unite and a ruling alliance projecting strength and numbers.