Reason: coming together of the once-estranged Thackeray cousins – Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray. AdvertisementFormer Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray with MNS chief Raj Thackeray (Express File Photo) Former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray with MNS chief Raj Thackeray (Express File Photo)Marathi speakers, who are seen as the Thackerays’ core support base, make up around 26% of Mumbai’s population. This reveals its influence across Mumbai’s political geography despite a small vote share (4% from 25 seats in the 2024 Assembly polls). Cracks began to emerge in the Opposition alliance after the Mahayuti’s big win in the Assembly polls with AICC in-charge for Maharashtra, Ramesh Chennithala, announcing that the Congress would contest the BMC polls alone. The party drew a blank in last year’s Assembly polls with a 1.55% vote share, even as Raj’s son Amit Thackeray also lost the election from Mahim.

Source: Indian Express December 24, 2025 02:24 UTC