Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Sunday launched their joint manifesto, titled Vachan Nama, ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. The manifesto prominently featured a photograph of the Thackeray brothers alongside Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray.
The Shiv Sena (UBT)-MNS alliance promised to focus on affordable housing and improvements in healthcare, public transport, and education. Key proposals include:
- Monthly allowance of ₹1,500 for women employed as domestic workers and Koli women under the proposed Swabhiman Nidhi scheme.
- Reduction of minimum bus fare from ₹10 to ₹5 and expansion of bus services and routes.
- Scrapping property tax on homes up to 700 sq ft.
- Guaranteeing one parking space per flat in redeveloped buildings.
The announcement marked Raj Thackeray’s return to Shiv Sena Bhawan after 20 years, following his exit from the party in 2005 due to differences with Uddhav Thackeray.
At the press conference, the Thackeray brothers also targeted the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing it of intimidating voters and undermining democratic processes. Uddhav Thackeray specifically criticized Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar, claiming he was “threatening candidates and voters” and demanding his immediate suspension. He further called for by-elections in areas where candidates were elected unopposed, saying voters’ rights had been compromised.