Mumbai: With the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections expected later this year, the Shiv Sena (UBT) has launched its campaign with renewed urgency. The party is set to hold a crucial outreach meeting at Mahakavi Kalidas Natyamandir in Mulund on June 9, aiming to energise its grassroots cadre ahead of the high-stakes civic polls.
This will be the first BMC election since the dramatic split in the Shiv Sena in 2022, making it a defining test for the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction. “The civic polls are a litmus test. We need to win this at any cost,” said a senior UBT leader, as quoted by Mid-day.
Reports quoting party sources confirmed that Aaditya Thackeray will address the gathering, alongside other senior UBT leaders. The meeting is expected to outline the party’s election strategy, mobilisation efforts and plans to counter growing challenges from the Shinde-led Sena and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). “The focus is on unity and morale. More such meetings will follow as the election nears,” the leader added.
The BMC polls, originally due in early 2022, were delayed due to legal proceedings over OBC reservation. However, the Supreme Court recently directed the state government to hold elections within four months, setting the stage for a political showdown. The BJP, eyeing the mayor’s seat for the first time, has launched ‘Mission 150’, signalling its aggressive intent.
For over two decades, the undivided Shiv Sena and BJP ruled the BMC in alliance. That changed in 2017 when both parties contested separately. While the Sena emerged with 84 seats, the BJP followed closely with 82, a sharp rise from its 2012 tally of 51. But following the split orchestrated by Eknath Shinde, the UBT faction has been weakened, with 43 of its 84 corporators defecting to the Shinde camp.
This makes the 2025 BMC polls a do-or-die battle for the UBT. The 2024 Assembly election results add to the challenge, the UBT retained just 10 of the 21 seats it contested in Mumbai, while the BJP secured 15 out of 18. As the BJP and Shinde Sena gain ground, the UBT is scrambling to consolidate its shrinking base and retain control over India’s richest civic body.
