The dust has barely settled on Mumbai’s most significant civic election in decades, yet a defiant message is echoing from the Thackeray camp: the battle is not over. The recent BMC election results delivered a seismic blow to both Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) and Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), shattering their long-held dominance over the country’s richest municipal corporation. But rather than concede defeat, the Thackeray cousins are doubling down on their core ideology, framing the loss as a mere setback in a much longer war for Marathi pride and dignity .
Table of Contents
- The BMC Election Results: A New Political Reality
- Uddhav Thackeray’s Silent Message and the Legacy of Bal Thackeray
- Raj Thackeray’s Defiant Stance Despite MNS Setback
- Is Marathi Identity Politics Still Viable in Modern Mumbai?
- What Next for the Thackeray Cousins?
- Conclusion
- Sources
The BMC Election Results: A New Political Reality
The numbers paint a stark picture. The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance has successfully wrested control of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) from the Shiv Sena, a party that had held sway for nearly three decades . Early tallies suggest the BJP alone has secured a significant number of seats, while the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) has been relegated to a distant second, winning far fewer wards than in previous contests . The MNS, once a formidable force in Mumbai’s political landscape, appears to have been all but wiped out, with its performance described as “disappointing” by its own leader, Raj Thackeray .
This outcome marks a profound shift in Mumbai’s political ecosystem. The city, long considered the stronghold of the Shiv Sena, has now firmly come under the influence of the BJP-Shinde Sena combine. This new reality forces a critical question: what does this mean for the future of the city’s governance and its diverse population? For more on the national implications of this local election, see our analysis on [INTERNAL_LINK:maharashtra-state-politics].
Uddhav Thackeray’s Silent Message and the Legacy of Bal Thackeray
In the immediate aftermath of the BMC election results, Uddhav Thackeray chose a path of symbolic communication over a fiery speech. He took to social media to post a powerful image of his father, the late Bal Thackeray, the founder of the Shiv Sena . This single act was a masterstroke of political messaging. It served as a reminder of the party’s origins, its core Marathi identity, and a silent vow to uphold that legacy despite the current defeat.
His official party statement, released on Saturday, was equally resolute. The Shiv Sena (UBT) declared that the fight for the “dignity and self-respect of the Marathi people” is far from finished . This narrative positions the party not as a loser, but as a resilient warrior in a prolonged struggle, appealing directly to its loyal base who feel their cultural identity is under threat.
Raj Thackeray’s Defiant Stance Despite MNS Setback
Raj Thackeray, facing an even more dire situation for his MNS, has also refused to back down. While he admitted to his party’s poor performance in the polls, he framed the election as a “battle of money versus shiv shakti” . His message to his supporters and any elected representatives was one of unwavering resolve. He urged them to remain strong and emphasized that this is a long-term struggle for a prosperous Maharashtra, not a short-term contest to be won or lost on a single day .
His strategy seems to be one of consolidation. By acknowledging the loss but refusing to abandon the core ideology, he aims to keep his movement alive, hoping to regroup and find a new foothold in the state’s complex political arena.
Is Marathi Identity Politics Still Viable in Modern Mumbai?
The crushing defeat for both Thackeray factions raises a fundamental question about the future of their signature political plank: Marathi identity politics. Mumbai has transformed into a hyper-diverse, cosmopolitan metropolis. While the sentiment of protecting local interests remains potent, the electorate may be increasingly prioritizing issues like infrastructure, housing, and efficient civic services over nativist rhetoric.
The BJP and Shinde Sena’s success suggests they have successfully co-opted some of this sentiment while simultaneously projecting a more development-oriented and inclusive image. They have also fielded a large number of Marathi-speaking candidates, directly countering the Thackeray narrative . This tactical shift indicates that the political battlefield has moved, and the old playbook may no longer be sufficient.
What Next for the Thackeray Cousins?
The path forward for Uddhav and Raj Thackeray is fraught with challenges. Their options include:
- Strategic Re-alignment: Will they attempt to forge a more formal alliance to pool their resources and voter base against the dominant Mahayuti?
- Ideological Reinvention: Can they adapt their Marathi identity message to resonate with a younger, more urban electorate concerned with contemporary issues?
- Grassroots Mobilization: Will they retreat to their core strongholds and focus on rebuilding from the ground up, preparing for the next state assembly elections?
Whatever their choice, the pressure is immense. The BMC election results have not just cost them a civic body; they have shaken the very foundation of their political relevance in Maharashtra’s capital.
Conclusion
The declaration that “the battle is not over” is a powerful rallying cry, but it is also a tacit admission of a significant loss. The Thackeray cousins now face their most critical test since the 2022 split that fractured their political dynasty. The BMC election results have redrawn Mumbai’s political map, and the onus is on them to prove that their vision for the city and its Marathi identity still holds sway in the hearts and minds of its citizens. The coming months will be a true test of their resilience and political acumen.
Sources
- The New Indian Express. “‘This Battle is Not Over’: Shiv Sena (UBT) Reacts After BMC Poll Debacle.” January 16, 2026.
- The Hindu. “Raj Thackeray admits MNS’s poor BMC polls performance.” January 16, 2026.
- India Today. “MNS Chief Raj Thackeray’s first reaction after BMC election results.” January 16, 2026.
- Hindustan Times. “‘Battle Is Not Over Yet’: Thackeray Cousins React To BMC Poll Debacle.” January 16, 2026.
- Times of India. “More than 2/3rd candidates are Marathi-speaking.” January 16, 2026.
- Outlook India. “How Failed Thackeray Reunion May Have Cost 1 Cousin.” January 16, 2026.
- Election Commission of India. Official Website.