Will Raj Thackeray Join Mahayuti Ahead Of Civic Polls? His Meeting With Mumbai BJP Chief Sparks Buzz

Last Updated:January 08, 2025, 11:59 IST

Mumbai civic polls: Thackeray has blamed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde for not being able to join the grand alliance ahead of the recent assembly elections

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray with BJP Mumbai chief Ashish Shelar. (Photo: News18)

BMC Polls: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray met with BJP Mumbai chief Ashish Shelar late Tuesday, creating a buzz about him joining Mahayuti ahead of the upcoming civic body polls.

According to sources, Raj Thackeray did hint at joining the ruling Mahayuti alliance.

‘Eknath Shinde Did Not Want Me In Mahayuti’

Thackeray has blamed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde for not being able to join the grand alliance ahead of the recent assembly elections, according to a Hindustan Times report.

In a meeting he convened to discuss the party’s strategy for the upcoming civic elections, which might take place this year, Thackeray informed his party members that while the BJP was open to an alliance, the then CM Eknath Shinde was not. As a result, MNS could not join the Mahayuti alliance.

BJP Eyeing 40 Seats In BMC Polls

Meanwhile, Union minister and local MP Piyush Goyal on Saturday said the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance will win 40 seats from north Mumbai in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections.

Civic elections are due in the country’s financial capital for more than two years. It is expected that the polls will be held in the next few months, but no announcement has been made yet.

The BJP leader, MP from Mumbai North, held a meeting with municipal commissioner Bhushan Gagrani and senior officials of various government departments and bodies including MHADA, Slum Rehabilitation Authority, MMRDA, sports officials, district administration, and police.

Projects worth more than Rs 60,000 crore were discussed, Goyal told reporters. This was the third such meeting held by Goyal in five months.

Work on projects like the Coastal Road, Lokhandwala DP Road, Malad Development Project, development of playgrounds, construction of cultural centers, parking arrangements in Borivali (East), measures to improve healthcare services, studies and plans regarding the Buddha statue at Sanjay Gandhi Park, widening and rehabilitation of Poisar River and several other issues were discussed in detail.

Efforts were on to get all requisite permissions and start the construction of the Versova to Bhayander stretch of the Coastal Road in the next 45 days, the Union minister said.

“There were positive discussions with officials on how issues like healthcare, education, infrastructure, pollution and basic facilities in north Mumbai will be resolved….the Mahayuti alliance will win 40 seats in north Mumbai in the coming elections," he said.

The BMC has 236 wards.

Goyal also said efforts are being made to enhance the inadequate infrastructure and human resources at the BMC-run Bhagwati, Shatabdi, and Savitribai hospitals. Bhagwati Hospital will begin serving patients by May. Each hospital will provide services to patients through the Ayushman Scheme, he said.

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