Thackery cousins Uddhav-Raj reunion to control BMC has slipped through their fingers as the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance made a sweeping win.
Around 20 days ago, cousins Uddhav and Raj Thackeray formally announced a reunion for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), following a
20-year estrangement. Their campaign focused on the narrative that Mumbai’s identity is under threat, positioning themselves as the sole protectors of local interests against the BJP-led Mahayuti government.
However, according to exit poll predictions, the Thackeray brothers might fail to overcome the challenge from the BJP-Eknath Shinde Shiv Sena combine. Four exit polls indicate that the chance to control India’s richest municipal body has almost slipped through their fingers. BMC, along with 28 other municipal corporations, went to the polls on Thursday; votes will be counted on Friday.
While the mandate may favour the ruling alliance, the Thackerays’ campaign centred on ‘Marathi manoos’ and ‘Marathi pride’ seems to have resonated intensely with the local community.
News Edit KV Raman
