Uddhav–Raj Seal Seat-Sharing Deal For BMC, Official Announcement Likely Today

Mumbai: Today an important turning point has come in the politics of Maharashtra. The alliance of Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) and Shiv Sena (Prakashit Raj Thackeray) has decided on the common panel of seats for the BMC elections. This announcement is being considered almost certain from both sides by Saturday evening, and it is expected to be formally announced today. This decision is being said to be very important in the context of the strength of the alliance and future plans in Mumbai politics.

What is the significance of this partnership in BMC?

BMC, i.e., Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, is traditionally the largest municipal body of Maharashtra, where the influence of any political party is directly visible on the local administration, roads, cleanliness, health, and everyday life of the city. This is the reason why both factions of Shiv Sena contesting elections together can change the balance of local politics and make the strategy difficult for other parties, including BJP.

Which seats were decided between the two parties?

According to sources, in the joint panel, both parties have decided the candidates for key wards with mutual understanding. Under this, seats have been distributed on the basis of control and vote bank in different areas. Although it has not been decided yet whether the 100 percent announcement will be made public or it will be released in a phased manner, party leaders say that the names of most of the wards are now almost in the final form and the list is expected to be released by today.

What challenge will this agreement pose to BJP and other parties?

This alliance can present a new challenge for big parties like BJP and Congress. Opposition parties, which have been trying to tighten the grip on local power in Maharashtra for a long time, will now face the joint panel of both Shiv Sena factions. Analysts say that if this joint panel performs well in the elections, its impact may be visible in the coming assembly elections also.

How have the relations between the two Shiv Sena factions been?

The two factions of Shiv Sena, one led by Uddhav Thackeray and the other led by Raj Thackeray, have been trying to carve out separate political identities for the last several years. Contesting elections together on a big local body like BMC is an indication that both the parties are giving priority to 'common victory goal' rather than 'their own strength.' Due to this, new equations are emerging in the political picture of Maharashtra.

When can the official announcement be made, and what will happen next?

Now all eyes are on today, when this list of shared seats will be made public. After this, the strategy, equation, and direction of alliance of other parties will also become clear. According to political sources, only after the release of the list will the real accounting of BMC election contests be considered started, because the parties will start making further preparations on the basis of their candidates.