A bitter irony: Thackerays seek Muslim support to survive | Hindustan Times

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Mumbai, India. Dec 24, 2025 - After 20 years, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) party chief Raj Thackeray and Shiv Sena (UBT) party president Uddhav Thackeray reunited ahead of the upcoming BMC elections. During a press conference held on Wednesday in Worli, the Thackeray brothers announced a formal alliance for the BMC and other municipal corporation elections.Mumbai, India. Dec 24, 2025. (Photo by Raju Shinde/HT Photo) (Raju Shinde)

A bitter irony: Thackerays seek Muslim support to survive

The Shiv Sena, historically accused of inciting communal riots, is now seeking Muslim votes to enhance its electoral chances in Mumbai, particularly for the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections. Uddhav Thackeray's faction aims to revive the Marathi-Dalit-Muslim coalition, focusing on Muslim-majority areas and fielding more Muslim candidates, despite challenges from rival parties and accusations of "appeasement politics." The party's shift reflects a strategic response to changing demographics and electoral dynamics.

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