Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Saturday suggested that his party may contest the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections independently, hinting at potential cracks within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance. Speaking to reporters, Raut said grassroots workers are pushing for a solo campaign, given the significant number of aspirants for the local body polls.

?Discussions are ongoing between Uddhav Thackeray and senior leaders about contesting the BMC polls solo. Our party workers believe that we should stand independently in these elections,? Raut stated.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) has a stronghold in Mumbai, having controlled the BMC ? one of the wealthiest municipal corporations in Asia ? for 25 consecutive years, from 1997 to 2022. Fresh elections have been delayed for nearly three years since the term of the last elected body ended in March 2022.

Raut reiterated Shiv Sena (UBT)?s dominance in Mumbai, claiming the party has the strength to secure a victory. ?If we had contested more seats in Mumbai during the assembly polls, we would have won them. Winning Mumbai is crucial; otherwise, there is a risk of the city being separated from Maharashtra,? he warned.

In the last assembly elections, Shiv Sena contested 24 seats in Mumbai, winning 10, while Congress secured four out of 10 seats it contested, and NCP failed to win either of its two contested seats.

Raut also recalled the party?s history of going solo in civic body elections even when the undivided Shiv Sena was in an alliance with the BJP. ?We contested the BMC and other civic polls independently back then. We are exploring ways to do the same now. However, the MVA will remain intact for other civic bodies like Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, and Nashik,? he added.