Thackeray Cousins Unite for BMC Elections Amidst Political Tensions

As the BMC elections approach, Uddhav and Raj Thackeray have united for prayers at the Mumbadevi Temple, signaling a strategic alliance to consolidate Marathi votes. With over 3.48 crore voters set to participate, the elections are crucial for local governance in Maharashtra. This marks the first municipal elections in over six years, following a significant political realignment among parties. The outcome could reshape the political landscape in Mumbai and beyond, as various factions vie for power. Stay tuned for the latest updates on this pivotal electoral event.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 14, 2026, 16:32 IST

Thackeray Brothers Pay Tribute Before BMC Elections

In a significant pre-election gesture, Uddhav Thackeray, the leader of Shiv Sena (UBT), and Raj Thackeray, head of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), visited the Mumbadevi Temple in Mumbai for prayers. Accompanied by their families, the cousins sought blessings from the city's revered deity just a day before the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. Notable Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs, including Anil Desai, Sanjay Raut, and Arvind Sawant, were also present at the temple.

The elections for 29 municipal bodies across Maharashtra are set for Thursday, with vote counting scheduled for Friday.

Voting Details and Political Alliances

Voting will commence at 7:30 AM on January 15 and conclude at 5:30 PM. Approximately 3.48 crore voters will decide the fate of 15,931 candidates, including 1,700 from Mumbai and 1,166 from Pune. The counting of votes will take place on January 16. Over 25,000 police personnel, including senior officials, will be deployed in Mumbai during the elections and counting process.

In a notable political development, the Thackeray cousins have reunited to consolidate Marathi votes, while rival factions of the NCP have formed alliances in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. The opposition Congress is attempting to strengthen its presence in Mumbai by parting ways with its allies in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and collaborating with the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in the state capital, while contesting independently in Nagpur.

Long-Awaited Municipal Elections

These elections for 29 municipal corporations are taking place after a gap of over six years, as their terms expired between 2020 and 2023. The municipalities include cities like Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Navi Mumbai, Vasai-Virar, Kalyan-Dombivli, Kolhapur, Nagpur, Mumbai, Solapur, Amravati, Akola, Nashik, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pune, Ulhasnagar, Thane, Chandrapur, Parbhani, Mira-Bhayandar, Nanded-Waghala, Panvel, Bhiwandi-Nizampur, Latur, Malegaon, Sangli-Miraj-Kupwad, Jalgaon, Ahilyanagar, Dhule, Jalna, and Ichalkaranji.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has campaigned extensively across Maharashtra with both Deputy Chief Ministers, Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, while Uddhav and Raj Thackeray have focused their efforts in Mumbai, Thane, Nashik, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.