The Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) will contest the Thane civic polls together and win over 75 seats, Sanjay Raut of the Uddhav Thackeray-led party said on Saturday, reported the PTI.
Raut`s remarks came amid a section of BJP leaders wanting the party to go solo in Thane, which is known to be the bastion of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his Shiv Sena.
“Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS will contest together and win Thane. Our slogan is 75 paar (more than 75 seats),” Raut told reporters. Thane Municipal Corporation has 131 seats, according to the PTI.
Uddhav Thackeray and MNS chief Raj Thackeray have come close over the last four months sparking the buzz of an alliance. While both are yet to officially declare the tie-up, it is expected to be announce ahead of the local body polls.
Meanwhile, on Friday, Uddhav Thackeray sent out a message of Marathi unity during the inauguration of the annual Deepotsav celebration, hosted by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) at Shivaji Park.
“Marathi unity will certainly bring happiness and light into people’s lives and homes,” Uddhav said in his brief, minute-long address at the Dadar playground.
A few years back, then Chief Minister Ekanth Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had inaugurated the festival.
In 2005, citing differences with Uddhav, Raj had quit Shiv Sena (undivided) and floated the MNS. But, as the Mahayuti government tried to push Hindi language for Std I to Std V in Maharashtra schools, the Thackeray cousins came together for the “cause of Marathi” and forced the government to roll back the decision.
Subsequently, on July 5 this year, Uddhav and Raj announced that they were burying their past differences and would now work together for the cause of Marathi and Maharashtra — a move that is reshaping Maharashtra’s political landscape and alliances.
Friday marked the first time that Uddhav and cousin Raj Thackeray came together for the Deepotsav celebration at Shivaji Park.
Every year, the MNS organises the Deepotsav celebration during Diwali at Shivaji Park. This is the 13th year of the celebration. Besides the Thackeray cousins, their entire families came together for the event.
(with PTI inputs)
