BMC election 2026: Uddhav and Raj Thackeray to share stage after 20 years at Shivaji Park on Jan 11

• MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT) to hold joint rally at Shivaji Park on January 11
• Raj and Uddhav Thackeray to share stage after 20+ years
• Alliance unveils manifesto, targets BJP coalition before BMC elections

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In a significant escalation of their electoral partnership, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has received permission from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to hold a major rally at Dadar’s historic Shivaji Park on Sunday, January 11.

The event will feature a rare joint address by MNS chief Raj Thackeray and Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray, marking their first shared public platform in over two decades.

The rally represents a shift in strategy for the cousins, who, according to reports, had previously focused their campaign for the January 15 BMC elections on smaller-scale visits to local party offices, or shakhas. Both leaders are said to have visited more than twenty such branches each to mobilise party workers.

This public culmination of their alliance follows last Sunday’s release of a joint manifesto, termed a ‘Vachan Nama’ or promissory note. The document outlines shared policy priorities for Mumbai’s governance.

At its unveiling, the Thackeray cousins levelled strong accusations against the ruling BJP-led Mahayuti coalition. They charged the alliance with “stealing candidates” and undermining democratic norms in the lead-up to the civic polls.

A specific demand highlighted in their manifesto, as reported, is the cancellation of elections in any wards where candidates have been elected unopposed.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS are contesting the crucial municipal elections as part of a broader coalition that includes the Sharad Pawar faction of the Nationalist Congress Party. Sunday’s rally at Shivaji Park, a traditional bastion of Marathi politics, is poised to be the most visible demonstration of this alliance’s strength and unity ahead of the vote.

The joint appearance of the Thackeray cousins, after years of political divergence, signals a concerted effort to consolidate a key voter base and presents a direct challenge to their opponents in the high-stakes battle for control of India’s wealthiest municipal corporation.