Sanjay Raut (File photo) NEW DELHI: Leaders of Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) met on Sunday to hold alliance talks for the upcoming municipal corporation polls, with Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut later saying the alliance could be officially announced in “two-three days.”Also Read | ‘Sena (UBT) and MNS to ally’: Sanjay Raut on Maharashtra civic polls; tie-up likely in Mumbai, other major cities“These talks, we believe, are the last meeting. In two-three days, there will be an official announcement,” Raut told reporters in Mumbai.The move would bring together estranged cousins Uddhav and Raj Thackeray, who head Sena (UBT) and MNS respectively.The talks coincided with the counting of votes in the Maharashtra local body polls, with early trends pointing to a sweep by the ruling Mahayuti.Also Read | BMC polls: BJP, Shiv Sena reach consensus on 150 electoral wards in Mumbai; final list by Dec 22Meanwhile, Raut noted that efforts were underway to bring the Congress, a Sena (UBT) ally, on board for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls despite its “reservations” over Raj Thackeray.“The Congress has expressed reservations over Raj Thackeray. We tried to convince the Congress that to defeat the BJP, it is necessary to come together. However, efforts are on to convince them,” the Rajya Sabha member stated.Also Read | BMC polls: Congress decides to go solo; Uddhav–Raj bonhomie strains MVAHe added that there would be “no bad blood” between the two parties even if they did not form an alliance in Mumbai. The BMC, the financial capital’s civic body, is the wealthiest municipal corporation in the country.Elections to 29 municipal corporations, including the BMC, will be held on January 15, with vote counting scheduled for the following day.On Saturday, All India Congress Committee general secretary and Maharashtra in-charge Ramesh Chennithala said there was a “strong demand” from party workers to contest the BMC polls independently.“We will fight the polls on issues of common Mumbaikars such as pollution, healthcare and corruption. Mumbaikars should give us a chance to serve them well. The Congress is firm on contesting the polls independently to protect the secular fabric of the metropolis,” Chennithala remarked.(With PTI inputs)About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Have To Stay United’: RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat On Atrocities Against Hindus In BangladeshIndia Rejects Dhaka Media Reports On Protest Outside Bangladesh HC, Flags Attack Against MinoritiesViewing ‘Sangh’ Through the Lens of the BJP Is a Huge Mistake, Says RSS Chief Mohan BhagwatBangladesh Arrests 10 After Brutal Killing of Hindu Youth in Mymensingh“Generation After Generation”: Yunus Vows To Fulfil Sharif Osman Hadi’s Vision And IdealsMassive Crowds Gather in Dhaka for State Funeral of Slain Youth Icon Osman HadiPAK Citizens Criticize “Weak Judiciary” As Imran Khan’s Prison Term Is IncreasedHindu Lynching Sparks Outrage: Shashi Tharoor Warns On Mob Rule, Priyanka Blasts Modi Govt SilenceEx-PM Imran Khan And Bushra Bibi Jailed For 17 Years In Toshakhana Gift Jewellery Case’There Is Only One Modi’: Jaishankar Says Leaders Define Nations, Not Ministers Or Individuals123PhotostoriesWhy your brain does not want you to multitaskBigg Boss Telugu 9: Meet the finalists of the season10 tips for good mental health you should be taking to 20268 life lessons from “Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor FranklWorld Saree Day: 5 sarees from Incredible India that put the country on the global fashion mapVision Board 2026 based on your birth number, according to astrologyThis famous desert is covered in snow right now and the photos are stunningly beautifulLong-awaited, commuter-friendly, safer: Chennai’s Nanganallur gets direct road to Pazhavanthangal subway6 Japanese habits that quietly upgrade your lifeKajol & Rani Mukerji just brought the 90s ethnic aesthetic back, proving queens never lose their crown123Hot PicksTom BradyEpstein files releasedTim SaunderGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays DecemberBank Holidays DecemberTop TrendingJosh Allen Luxury Car CollectionRandi MahomesAuston MatthewsPatrick MahomesJeremy Doku and Shireen Doku Net WorthUPPSC LT Grade Teacher ExamPaul Heyman and Marla Heyman Net WorthBengaluru TempeturePM Modi HelicopterRailway Fare Hike
NEW DELHI: Leaders of Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) met on Sunday to hold alliance talks for the upcoming municipal corporation polls, with Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut later saying the alliance could be officially announced in “two-three days.”Also Read | ‘Sena (UBT) and MNS to ally’: Sanjay Raut on Maharashtra civic polls; tie-up likely in Mumbai, other major cities“These talks, we believe, are the last meeting. In two-three days, there will be an official announcement,” Raut told reporters in Mumbai.The move would bring together estranged cousins Uddhav and Raj Thackeray, who head Sena (UBT) and MNS respectively.The talks coincided with the counting of votes in the Maharashtra local body polls, with early trends pointing to a sweep by the ruling Mahayuti.Also Read | BMC polls: BJP, Shiv Sena reach consensus on 150 electoral wards in Mumbai; final list by Dec 22Meanwhile, Raut noted that efforts were underway to bring the Congress, a Sena (UBT) ally, on board for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls despite its “reservations” over Raj Thackeray.“The Congress has expressed reservations over Raj Thackeray. We tried to convince the Congress that to defeat the BJP, it is necessary to come together. However, efforts are on to convince them,” the Rajya Sabha member stated.Also Read | BMC polls: Congress decides to go solo; Uddhav–Raj bonhomie strains MVAHe added that there would be “no bad blood” between the two parties even if they did not form an alliance in Mumbai. The BMC, the financial capital’s civic body, is the wealthiest municipal corporation in the country.Elections to 29 municipal corporations, including the BMC, will be held on January 15, with vote counting scheduled for the following day.On Saturday, All India Congress Committee general secretary and Maharashtra in-charge Ramesh Chennithala said there was a “strong demand” from party workers to contest the BMC polls independently.“We will fight the polls on issues of common Mumbaikars such as pollution, healthcare and corruption. Mumbaikars should give us a chance to serve them well. The Congress is firm on contesting the polls independently to protect the secular fabric of the metropolis,” Chennithala remarked.(With PTI inputs)