Raj Thackeray Hints at Alliance with BJP-Shinde Sena for BMC, Ditching Cousin Uddhav

• Raj Thackeray's MNS might ally with BJP or Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, potentially abandoning Uddhav Thackeray.
• His recent post on X, marking Bal Thackeray's birth anniversary, hinted at a "flexible stance" in politics, sparking speculation.
• The BMC mayor's post is reserved for women candidates, intensifying the race for the top civic body position.
• In the 2026 BMC elections, the Mahayuti alliance (BJP and Shinde Sena) crossed the halfway mark, but the mayor's race remains competitive.
• Raj Thackeray's post emphasized Bal Thackeray's unwavering love for Marathi people and stated his own flexibility would never be for personal gain.

Why It Matters: Raj Thackeray's MNS may align with BJP-Shinde Sena for BMC, signaling a shift from Uddhav Thackeray.