Daijiworld Media Network- Mumbai
Mumbai, Jan 10: As the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections draw closer, Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction is gearing up to reclaim its dominance in Mumbai, setting aside the setbacks from the recent Maharashtra assembly polls.
Focus Shifts to Reclaiming Mumbai
The defeat of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, which includes Sena UBT, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP – Sharad Pawar faction), and Congress, has prompted introspection within the Shiv Sena UBT. A growing demand among party leaders and workers calls for contesting the BMC elections independently. They believe breaking away from the MVA, especially the Congress, will reinforce the Sena’s identity and showcase its strength.
Ground-Level Feedback Pushes for Independence
Over the last month, Thackeray has intensified his reviews of the party’s structure and voter sentiment across Mumbai. Meetings with party branch heads and organizers have revealed widespread support for an independent approach. Observers deployed to constituencies have reported dissatisfaction with the assembly poll seat-sharing arrangements with Congress, further fueling the demand for a solo campaign.
Rigorous Ward-Wise Analysis
Thackeray’s strategy involves a detailed ward-by-ward assessment of voter dynamics. These reviews, held at Matoshree, have highlighted concerns that alliances may dilute the Sena’s core identity, which has been intertwined with Mumbai's political legacy for decades. Local leaders argue that going solo would send a strong message of self-reliance and resolve.
Strategic Decision Pending
As Thackeray completes evaluations of critical south Mumbai constituencies, the decision to either go solo or remain part of the MVA alliance looms large. For the Shiv Sena (UBT), the BMC elections represent more than a battle for political power—they are a crucial opportunity to reassert their dominance and legacy in Mumbai. Whatever the final call, the party is determined to fight the election with full vigor, making it a defining moment for its future.