Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has dismissed the political impact of the Thackeray cousins joining hands ahead of the crucial civic polls, mocking the alliance as overhyped and driven by desperation. Reacting sharply, Fadnavis said the reunion was being projected &ldquo;as if Russia and Ukraine have come together as if Zelenskyy and Putin are talking.&rdquo;
Fadnavis argued that the coming together of Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and MNS president Raj Thackeray would not alter the electoral landscape. &ldquo;This is an alliance of parties that have lost their identity and credibility. They have lost their vote bank due to appeasement politics,&rdquo; he said, asserting that the Marathi manoos would stand firmly with the ruling Mahayuti.
Calling the tie-up a struggle for political relevance, the chief minister said the cousins had joined hands to &ldquo;save their existence,&rdquo; not because of shared ideology. &ldquo;People of Mumbai have seen development work done by us. Mumbai is with us and will remain so,&rdquo; Fadnavis said, expressing confidence that Mahayuti would retain dominance in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.
Earlier, Uddhav and Raj Thackeray announced their alliance at a joint briefing in Mumbai, declaring unity in the interest of Maharashtra and the Marathi identity. With elections to 29 municipal corporations, including Mumbai and Nashik, scheduled for January 15, the BMC battle is being seen as a high-stakes test, especially given the undivided Shiv Sena&rsquo;s three-decade rule over the civic body.

CM likens cousins’ alliance to Russia-Ukraine truce, calls it fight for survival

Fadnavis Mocks Thackeray Reunion

CM likens cousins’ alliance to Russia-Ukraine truce, calls it fight for survival

December 24, 2025 | 23:19 IST