Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Jan 14: The political bond between the Thackeray family and Mumbai runs deep, rooted in emotion, identity and power. From Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray onwards, the family has positioned itself as the voice of the Marathi-speaking middle class, shaping the city’s politics, culture and civic discourse for decades.

Mumbai, often described as Urbs Prima in Indis and India’s financial capital, has remained the principal political base of the Thackerays. The Shiv Sena’s rise was closely linked to the city’s mills, chawls and changing power equations, particularly the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the country’s richest civic body. Between 1997 and 2022, the undivided Shiv Sena held uninterrupted control of the BMC for nearly 25 years.

However, the party split in mid-2022 dramatically altered Maharashtra’s political landscape. As the BMC elections approach, the stakes could not be higher for the Thackeray family.

The year 2026 holds special significance, marking the birth centenary of Balasaheb Thackeray and the 60th foundation year of the Shiv Sena. In a major political development, Uddhav Thackeray, now chief of Shiv Sena (UBT), has joined hands with his once-estranged cousin Raj Thackeray, president of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), after a gap of nearly two decades.

The key question is whether the Shiv Sena (UBT)-MNS alliance, supported by Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP), can challenge the BJP-led Mahayuti, headed by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde and the Ajit Pawar faction of the NCP. Uddhav’s decision to align with Raj led him to step away from the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi after the Congress chose to contest independently, citing differences over Raj’s views on migrants and minorities.

The political contest has since turned multi-cornered, with the Congress joining hands with the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi and Rashtriya Samaj Paksha, while parties such as AAP, Samajwadi Party and AIMIM are also contesting separately.

Veteran political analyst Prakash Akolkar said the BMC elections could determine the Thackerays’ political future. “The Shiv Sena drew its strength from Mumbai. With Balasaheb no longer around, this is the toughest test for Uddhav and Raj, especially after their poor performance in the 2024 Assembly elections,” he noted.

Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut said the reunion reflected the will of the people. “Uddhav ji and Raj saheb have come together to stay together. Maharashtra wanted this,” he said.

At joint rallies, the Thackeray cousins have attacked the BJP over alleged attempts to dilute Mumbai’s Marathi identity, opposed what they term as Hindi imposition, and raised concerns over corporate influence and major infrastructure projects. They have accused the BJP of trying to “separate Mumbai from Maharashtra” and weaken Marathi asmita.

Raj warned that the election could be decisive for the Marathi manoos, while Uddhav echoed fears of Mumbai being detached from Maharashtra. The BJP, however, dismissed the narrative, with Fadnavis stating that the contest was about the Thackerays’ political survival, not Marathi identity.

With emotions running high and alliances reshaped, the upcoming BMC elections are being seen as a defining moment for Mumbai — and for the Thackeray legacy itself.