Maharashtra: MNS Triggers Post Poll Speculation, Extends Support To Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena

Thane: The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has triggered frenzied post poll speculation by extending support to the Shiv Sena despite the fact that the two parties were on opposing sides of the political divide during the recent Maharashtra Civic Body Elections 2026. The Eknath Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena was part of the BJP-led Mahayuti allaince which had secured a landslide victory in the elections. The BJP had also created history by winning the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections in Mumbai for the first time.

How did the MNS help the Shiv Sena?

The MNS, which is led by Raj Thackeray, has extended a helping hand to the Eknath Shinde action of the Shiv Sena in the Kalyan–Dombivli Municipal Corporation. This announcement was made by former MNS MLA Pramod (Raju) Patil on behalf of the five MNS corporators in the corporation. Earlier on Wednesday, all 53 Shiv Sena corporators visited the Konkan Divisional Commissioner’s office in Navi Mumbai to formally register their group. At the same venue, the five MNS corporators completed their own procedural formalities and officially declared support for the Shiv Sena, marking a notable alignment between traditionally competing parties for the civic body’s power structure.

How has the Maharashtra Civic Body Elections result impacted the KDMC polls? 

Following the elections to 29 corporations in Maharashtra, including the BMC, a major political shift has been witnessed after the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) elections. The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), generally considered an opponent of the Shiv Sena, has now announced its support for the Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena. This announcement was made by former MNS MLA Pramod (Raju) Patil on behalf of the party's five corporators. Earlier, all 53 Shiv Sena corporators reached the Konkan Divisional Commissioner's office in Navi Mumbai and formally registered their faction.

At the same location, the five MNS corporators also completed their formalities and announced their support for the Shiv Sena. This is considered a significant development in terms of the municipal corporation's power structure. Political analysts believe that the Shiv Sena is either trying to form a government in the municipal corporation on its own or strengthening its bargaining position in a potential coalition.

What do the KDMC election results say?

In the elections to the 122-member Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation, the results, declared on January 16, showed the Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena winning 53 seats, the BJP 50, Shiv Sena (UBT) 11, MNS five, Congress two, and NCP (SP) one. It is worth noting that 62 seats are required to form a government in this municipal corporation. Currently, with the support of the five MNS corporators, the Shiv Sena's strength has increased to 58.