Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) and Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) have announced an electoral alliance for the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls, ending two decades of rivalry. The cousins aim to consolidate the 'Marathi manoos' vote bank and protect Marathi identity, invoking the legacy of Bal Thackeray and the Samyukta Maharashtra movement. While hailed by supporters as historic, rivals like CM Devendra Fadnavis dismiss the alliance as a desperate bid for political survival, claiming it will have little impact. The Congress has opted to contest independently, citing ideological differences.