Why Has MNS Suddenly Become Active — And What’s the Real Reason Behind Its Alliance with Uddhav?

Uddhav Thackeray Alliance: Raj Thackeray’s party, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), has recently come into the spotlight for a surge in aggressive activities. Be it vandalism at toll booths, assaults on auto drivers, or violent protests against shopkeepers over the use of non-Marathi languages — the party has been actively making headlines. All of this is happening as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections approach. So, why has MNS suddenly become so active? Is there a deeper political motive behind this aggression? Let’s delve into the underlying dynamics.

MNS’s Declining Strength

Raj Thackeray founded the MNS in 2006 after parting ways with the Shiv Sena. The party’s primary agenda was to protect the interests of the Marathi manoos (Marathi-speaking populace) and to promote Hindutva ideology. In 2009, MNS made a strong debut by winning 13 seats in the assembly elections. However, its performance deteriorated in the 2014 and 2019 elections. By the 2024 assembly elections, the party couldn’t win a single seat and even lost deposits in 119 constituencies.

In this context, the upcoming BMC elections could be MNS’s last shot at political relevance. Mumbai has always been considered its stronghold, and regaining control over BMC is seen as crucial for its survival.

Why Has MNS Become So Aggressive?

To understand the MNS’s current behavior, one must look into its strategy. Here are a few possible motives behind the aggressive stance:

1. Consolidating the Marathi Vote Bank

MNS has consistently built its identity around Marathi pride and regional identity. The recent controversies — such as pressuring shopkeepers to speak in Marathi and demanding Marathi language usage in banks — are part of its old playbook. In one incident in 2025 in Bhayandar, a shopkeeper was allegedly assaulted over the language issue. Such actions are calculated moves to signal to Marathi voters that the MNS is still fighting to protect their linguistic and cultural identity.

2. Challenging Shiv Sena and BJP

MNS’s main rivals are the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) — both key players in the Mahayuti alliance. In the 2024 assembly elections, MNS fielded candidates on 25 seats in Mumbai but failed to win any. Yet, in some constituencies, it split votes and indirectly helped Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT). Now, MNS seems to be applying the same vote-splitting strategy for the BMC elections to weaken Mahayuti’s vote base.

3. Prospects of Alliance with Uddhav Thackeray

Recently, Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray shared the stage while speaking on Marathi identity issues, triggering widespread political speculation. Uddhav has hinted at being open to an alliance with MNS for the BMC elections. If this happens, MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT) could unite the Marathi vote bank, posing a major threat to the BJP and the Shinde faction. MNS’s current aggression may well be a strategic gesture toward solidifying this potential alliance.

4. Staying in the Headlines and Motivating Cadre

MNS is keenly aware that its credibility and voter base have eroded. Hence, dramatic incidents like vandalism, assaults, and protests are also ways to grab media attention. Despite the negative image, these acts project the message that MNS is still actively fighting for Marathi interests. They also energize the party’s workers, showing that MNS is still a force on the ground. For the BMC elections, motivated cadres and strong grassroots organization will be crucial to MNS’s chances.

Why BMC Elections Matter

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is India’s richest municipal body, with an annual budget ranging from ₹45,000 to ₹50,000 crore. Control over BMC grants not just economic influence but also tremendous political power. Shiv Sena controlled BMC for decades, but after the party’s split in 2022, a power struggle has intensified between Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde. Meanwhile, BJP is trying to strengthen its grip over Mumbai.

For MNS, winning or performing well in the BMC elections could revive its political stature, helping it regain lost ground and re-establish relevance in Maharashtra politics.

MNS Wants to Regain Lost Ground

The rising activity and aggression from MNS are clearly part of a larger election strategy. The party wants to ride the wave of Marathi identity to reclaim its lost political base. The potential alliance with Uddhav Thackeray and efforts to stay in the media spotlight are aimed at making MNS politically relevant once again.

However, the party also faces major challenges. Public resentment over its violent image, legal actions, and an erosion of trust could hold it back. MNS’s performance in the BMC polls will depend on how effectively it implements its strategy and whether it can win back the trust of Marathi voters.

Will the MNS succeed in making a comeback, or will this be its final desperate move before political obscurity? Only time — and the outcome of the BMC elections — will tell. But what’s clear is that the game is no longer just about Marathi identity; it’s also about controlling ₹50,000 crore worth of power and influence.