Ahead of Maharashtra's municipal elections, prominent political figures are forming alliances. Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) and Raj Thackeray's MNS are joining forces for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, while Ajit Pawar's NCP faction has allied with Sharad Pawar's NCP for the Pimpri-Chinchiwad Municipal Corporation. These reunions are driven by the need to protect their political turf and address shared existential threats, particularly from the BJP's growing influence.