Hrithvik Bhalekar Reports: Thackeray Cousins Set to Seal Alliance for BMC Polls, MNS Eyes 70 Seats

A major political realignment may be underway in Maharashtra, with a potential tie-up between the Thackeray cousins, Uddhav Thackeray of Shiv Sena (UBT) and Raj Thackeray of MNS, for the upcoming BMC elections. According to India Today's Hrithvik Bhalekar, after a key meeting at the Samana newspaper office attended by Sanjay Raut, a pact is nearly finalised. Bhalekar reports, 'he has clarified that we have almost sealed the pact for seat sharing between both the parties and very soon, not more than 72 hours will take to announce an official alliance'. Sources suggest MNS is claiming 60-70 of the 227 seats, with the UBT Sena contesting over 150. However, the alliance faces a hurdle as the state leadership of the Congress party has opposed any coalition that includes the MNS, creating uncertainty for the broader MVA.