The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has begun intensifying its preparations for the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, with indications that the party may field candidates in nearly 90 to 95 wards. Senior leader Bala Nandgaonkar stated that while the MNS is indeed considering an alliance with the Shiv Sena (UBT), formal discussions over seat-sharing have not yet commenced. He emphasised that the final decision regarding partnerships or independent contesting will ultimately rest with the party’s high command.
The announcement came in the backdrop of a significant meeting between MNS chief Raj Thackeray and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray earlier this week. The meeting was followed by an internal strategy session called by Raj Thackeray, where senior MNS leaders, including Bala Nandgaonkar, Nitin Sardesai, Sandeep Deshpande, Yashwant Killedar, and Kunal Mainka, participated. The focus of this gathering was on organisational restructuring and preparation at the grassroots level in anticipation of the civic polls.
Nandgaonkar, while speaking to the media, said the optics of the Thackeray brothers warming up politically were encouraging for their cadre. He clarified that the Thursday meeting was about election groundwork and leadership appointments rather than sealing alliances. He reiterated that the MNS intends to fight around 90 to 95 seats in the BMC but stressed that seat-sharing talks are still pending and will depend on how the larger coalition strategy unfolds.
Responding to speculation about Raj Thackeray attending the Shiv Sena (UBT)’s annual Dussehra rally, Nandgaonkar dismissed the idea, underlining that both parties have their distinct traditions and platforms. “They hold their Dussehra rally, while we celebrate Gudi Padwa. Each of us has our own stage to put forward our views. As of now, no such invitation has been extended,” he explained.
The Congress factor within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) complicates the equation further. Since Shiv Sena (UBT) is firmly allied with the Congress and the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), questions have emerged about whether the Congress would accept MNS within the alliance, given their differing ideologies. On this, Nandgaonkar admitted that the ideological gap between the MNS and Congress remains unresolved, and therefore, no conclusion can be drawn yet. He underlined that the party high command alone will determine the final course of action.
In parallel to these developments, the MNS leadership has sought an official meeting with the Election Commission scheduled for Monday. The party is expected to raise election-related procedural matters and seek clarifications as it finalises its preparations for the civic polls. This move signals that the MNS is determined to play a substantial role in Mumbai’s political battleground, either independently or in collaboration with regional allies.
