Shinde-Raj Thackeray Alliance Shakes Maharashtra Politics, Counters BJP in Kalyan-Dombivli

• Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena and Raj Thackeray's MNS formed an alliance to secure the Mayor's post in Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation.
• The alliance aims to prevent BJP from capturing the Mayor's position, despite BJP and Shinde's Shiv Sena being state coalition partners.
• In the 122-seat Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation, Shinde's Shiv Sena won 53 seats, BJP 50, Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena 5, MNS 5, Congress 2, and NCP 1.
• A total of 62 seats are required for a majority; Shinde's party, even with MNS support, needs four more seats.
• Former MNS MP Srikant Shinde stated the support is for city development and hinted at support from Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena candidates.

Why It Matters: Eknath Shinde and Raj Thackeray allied in Kalyan-Dombivli to block BJP, signaling new political dynamics.