Pune: Shiv Sena (UBT)–MNS Alliance In Pune Civic Body? MVA To Hold Key Meeting Today On MNS Inclusion
Pune: Shiv Sena (UBT)–MNS Alliance In Pune Civic Body? MVA To Hold Key Meeting Today On MNS Inclusion
Pune, December 15, 2025: Speculation over a possible alliance between the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) for the upcoming Pune Municipal Corporation elections has intensified, with only a formal announcement now awaited. A crucial meeting of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) is scheduled for Monday to discuss whether MNS should be brought into the alliance.
An informal meeting held on Sunday saw local leaders of Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS in Pune broadly agree on contesting the civic polls together. However, it remains unclear whether the two parties will form a direct alliance or whether MNS will formally join the MVA.
Political proximity between Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS has increased since both parties jointly opposed the state government’s move to make Hindi compulsory as a third language under the new education policy. Following widespread protests, the government withdrew the decision. Since then, frequent meetings between Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray have further fuelled speculation of a political understanding.
Against this backdrop, senior leaders from both parties held their first informal meeting on Sunday morning at Shiv Sena Bhavan in Deccan, Pune. Notably, this marked the first time that MNS leaders—who had earlier left Shiv Sena along with Raj Thackeray—returned to Shiv Sena Bhavan for discussions.
From the MNS, city president Sainath Babar, leader Rajendra alias Babu Waghaskar, state general secretary Hemant Sambhus, Ajay Shinde, Bala Shedge, Kishor Shinde, and spokesperson Yogesh Khaire were present. Shiv Sena (UBT) was represented by city chief Gajanan Tharkude, Sanjay More, metropolitan organiser Vasant More, Ashok Haranwal, Sanjay Bhosale, Prashant Badhe, and Rambhau Parikh.
MNS leader Ajay Shinde said Shiv Sena office-bearers would visit the MNS city office on Tuesday for further informal discussions, after which detailed deliberations on various issues would be held. Shiv Sena (UBT) city chief Gajanan Tharkude confirmed that the initial talks were positive, adding that another round of discussions would take place on Tuesday following the MVA meeting scheduled for Monday.
MNS state general secretary Hemant Sambhus stated that discussions covered key aspects such as seat-sharing, candidate selection, a common agenda for the Pune civic polls, and strategies to counter rival parties. He added that further talks would depend on the stand taken by the Congress during Monday’s MVA meeting in Pune.
