Mumbai: Amid confirmation of a Shiv Sena (UBT)–MNS alliance, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, along with their wives, paid tribute to party founder Balasaheb Thackeray at his memorial in Shivaji Park on Wednesday.The joint appearance of the Thackeray cousins comes ahead of a formal announcement of their alliance for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections scheduled for January. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray and MNS leader Amit Thackeray were also present at the homage.The UBT Sena views the alliance as one that will advocate for the cause of the Marathi manoos. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant described the moment as historic, saying the people of Maharashtra had long been waiting for it. He added that Mumbai has always embraced inclusivity while standing firmly for the rights of locals.For party workers, the reunion marks the end of years of political estrangement between the two cousins. Cadres from both parties hope the upcoming BMC polls will yield better results after setbacks in recent panchayat elections.Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anand Dubey called the day historic, saying the coming together of the Thackeray brothers aims to “save Mumbai” and launch a public movement against what he termed attempts to exploit the city. He expressed confidence that the alliance would gain momentum not only in Mumbai but also across other municipal corporations in the state.MNS leader Yashwant Killedar echoed the sentiment, saying party workers had been waiting a long time for this moment and were excited by the development.However, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction dismissed the development as largely symbolic. Party spokesperson Manisha Kayande described it as a “photo opportunity,” questioning what the alliance would offer the public and why Marathi-speaking people had been divided over the past two decades.Meanwhile, the Maharashtra State Election Commission has announced elections to 29 municipal corporations across the state, including the BMC, Pune Municipal Corporation, and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation. Polling is scheduled for January 15, with counting set for January 16.
Source link
Rajasthan doubles poll spending limits, tightens campaign rules ahead of local body elections
Along with revising expenditure limits, the commission has imposed clear restrictions on the use of vehicles during campaigning.…
