BMC Polls 2026: Thackeray Cousins Unite, Promise ₹1,500 For Women And Marathi Mayor In Joint Manifesto

In a major political realignment ahead of the BMC Elections 2026, the Thackeray cousins—Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and MNS chief Raj Thackeray—have unveiled a joint manifesto. Addressing a rally, Uddhav Thackeray alleged an '₹80,000 crore scam' by the ruling Mahayuti alliance and defended his tenure's desalination projects over the Gargai-Pinjal dam to save trees. The manifesto, presented by Aaditya and Amit Thackeray, promises a ₹1,500 monthly 'Swabhiman Nidhi' for domestic workers and property tax waivers for flats up to 700 sq ft. Raj Thackeray asserted that the 'Mayor of Mumbai will be a Marathi', emphasizing the alliance's focus on Marathi pride.