Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), also known as Shiv Sena (UBT), has decided to contest the upcoming municipal elections in Mumbai and Nagpur alone. This means the partnership with Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and their Maha Vikas Aghadi, will no longer be in place, at least for now.
This was informed by senior party leader Sanjay Raut. Emphasizing the party’s confidence in securing a strong mandate, he said, “We are prepared to fight the civic polls independently. Our party has the support of the people. We are confident about our prospects in Mumbai and Nagpur.” This move signals a strategic shift, particularly concerning the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance.
The Uddhav Sena has been navigating challenges following the split in the original Shiv Sena party and the subsequent formation of the rival faction led by Eknath Shinde.
Raut assured that the decision to go solo in the civic polls does not indicate a breakdown of the MVA alliance but rather a tactical move to strengthen the party’s base in local governance. “We remain committed to the MVA alliance at the state level,” he added.
The upcoming municipal elections in Mumbai and Nagpur are seen as crucial for the Shiv Sena (UBT) as they attempt to reestablish their dominance in these key urban centers. The party’s decision to contest independently will test its ability to mobilise voter support without the backing of its traditional allies.
As the political dynamics in Maharashtra evolve, all eyes will be on how Shiv Sena (UBT) fares in the municipal elections, and what impact this will have on the broader coalition politics in the state.
