Uddhav Thackeray, Raj Thackeray Release ‘Vachan Nama’ for Mumbai Civic Polls, Target BJP

Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena president Raj Thackeray on Saturday released their joint manifesto, titled ‘Vachan Nama’, for the upcoming Mumbai civic body elections, marking a rare political reunion after more than two decades.

The alliance between the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) signals a significant shift in Maharashtra’s political landscape ahead of the crucial Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls, widely regarded as one of the most influential civic elections in the country.

Unveiling the Vachan Nama in Mumbai, both leaders said the document was placed “at the feet of the people,” underscoring their claim that the alliance is rooted in public interest rather than political convenience.

Launching a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party, Uddhav Thackeray accused the ruling party of systematically weakening democratic institutions.

“There is no democracy left. After vote theft, they are now stealing candidates. There is a monstrous race to ensure that ruling party candidates win unopposed,” Thackeray alleged, accusing the BJP of manipulating electoral processes to its advantage.

Raj Thackeray echoed similar concerns, asserting that democratic norms were being eroded and that civic elections were increasingly being reduced to formalities rather than genuine contests. He said the joint manifesto aimed to restore transparency, accountability and people-centric governance in Mumbai.

The Vachan Nama outlines commitments related to civic infrastructure, public transport, housing, cleanliness, and protection of Marathi identity, though detailed policy points are expected to be released in phases as the campaign progresses.

Political observers see the Uddhav–Raj rapprochement as a strategic move to consolidate Marathi votes and counter the BJP’s growing influence in Mumbai’s civic politics. The two leaders, who parted ways over ideological and organisational differences nearly 20 years ago, had remained fierce political rivals until recently.

The BJP has not officially responded to the allegations made during the manifesto launch. However, party leaders in the past have dismissed similar accusations, maintaining that electoral victories reflect public support rather than political engineering.

The Mumbai civic polls are expected later this year, and the BMC election is widely viewed as a bellwether for Maharashtra politics ahead of the next state and national elections.