Shiv Sena (UBT) To Go Solo In BMC Polls? Sanjay Raut Says ‘INDIA, MVA Alliances Not Wanted…’

Final Up to date:July 10, 2025, 17:56 IST

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Sanjay Raut stated that alliances just like the INDIA or MVA aren’t crucial for the upcoming native and civic physique elections in Maharashtra.

Amid hypothesis over a attainable political realignment in Maharashtra Opposition’s Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Sanjay Raut on Thursday dismissed the need of political alliances just like the INDIA or MVA within the upcoming native and civic physique elections within the state.

Whereas chatting with the reporters, Raut asserted that such preparations are related just for bigger electoral battles.

“I used to be requested what’s the standing of INDIA bloc? I stated that it was shaped for Lok Sabha polls and Maha Vikas Aghadi was for Meeting elections. There isn’t a want of those two in native our bodies elections. Native our bodies elections are fought over native points,” he stated as quoted by information company PTI.

About two dozen events from throughout the nation are part of the Indian Nationwide Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA). The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) — comprising the Shiv Sena (UBT), the Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Occasion (NCP), and the Congress — was shaped in November 2019 after the Shiv Sena, then led by Uddhav Thackeray, parted methods with its long-time ally, the BJP, following a power-sharing tussle after the Maharashtra Meeting election.

The Rajya Sabha MP additional sought to make clear that whereas there is no such thing as a formal alliance between Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) and Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), there’s a rising public strain for the lately reunited Thackeray cousins to hitch forces for the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Company (BMC) elections.

“I didn’t say MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT) are contesting elections collectively, I stated that there’s strain from folks that Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS ought to contest native our bodies elections collectively, as they consider that if the rights of the ‘Marathi Maanus’ are to be protected, then Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray should come collectively,” Raut added.

He additional stated {that a} choice on the alliance can be taken after the BMC elections can be introduced.

Elections in Maharashtra civic our bodies, together with the cash-rich Brihanmumbai Municipal Company (BMC), will probably be held later this yr. The Bal Thackeray-founded Shiv Sena, which break up in 2022, had managed the BMC for almost twenty years.

Raut’s remarks got here days after the estranged Thackeray cousins– Uddhav and Raj– shared a stage, marking a uncommon public present of unity after almost twenty years, at a gathering titled ‘Awaj Marathicha’ to have fun the rollback of two authorities resolutions issued by the Devendra Fadnavis-led authorities, introducing Hindi as a 3rd language from Class 1 in Maharashtra colleges.

Through the occasion, Uddhav Thackeray hinted at a better affiliation along with his cousin. “We’ve come collectively and can keep collectively,” he declared, fueling hypothesis of a joint struggle for Mumbai’s civic physique polls.

Mahayuti Takes Jibe At Raut

The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra responded to Raut’s feedback with state minister and Shiv Sena chief Uday Samant criticising the thought of a Sena (UBT)-MNS alliance, suggesting it could result in a conflict of agendas.

“After any such alliance, one celebration will merely pursue its personal objectives,” he stated on the Vidhan Bhavan, not directly referring to Shiv Sena (UBT), as quoted by the ABP Information.

Union Minister Ramdas Athawale additionally responded to Raut’s remarks and stated, “I believe he (Sanjay Raut) implies that if Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray contest the upcoming BMC election collectively, it could trigger rifts within the INDIA bloc… If this occurs, it should profit our Mahayuti and win the elections… Many Marathis assist the BJP, Eknath Shinde, and Ajit Pawar… That’s the reason we don’t care if Uddhav and Raj Thackeray reconcile.”

Samajwadi Occasion chief Abu Azmi stated, “Everybody has been pulling one another down from the start. If all had labored for each other within the Meeting and if the seat-sharing had been completed correctly, this case wouldn’t have arisen at present…”

MVA Leaders’ Stance

Congress chief Nana Patole additionally reacted to Raut’s remarks relating to no alliance inside the INDIA bloc and stated that native elections are fought based mostly on the arrogance and efforts of native celebration employees and leaders.

“There isn’t a want for me to make a remark. I gained’t make any feedback on Sanjay Raut. I’ve stated many a time that native physique elections are contested by taking native employees and native leaders into confidence. So, these elections shouldn’t be considered like that…” he stated.

The municipal elections, together with these for the influential Brihanmumbai Municipal Company (BMC), are anticipated later this yr.

(With inputs from companies)

Shobhit Gupta

Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and Worldwide information. He’s concerned about everyday political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) diploma from Ben…Learn Extra

Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and Worldwide information. He’s concerned about everyday political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) diploma from Ben… Learn Extra

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