Amid rising political friction in the Thane region, Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde has renewed his appeal for complete unity among Mahayuti partners as several crucial local body elections approach. He urged the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiv Sena, and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP faction to fight the upcoming polls as a single, disciplined alliance, especially in the politically significant Kalyan-Dombivli belt.

Speaking to the media, the Kalyan MP underscored the necessity of presenting a consolidated front across all municipal corporations in Thane district. “Be it Kalyan-Dombivli or neighbouring civic bodies, elections should take place as an alliance and mayors should be from the Mahayuti,” he said, adding that this stance is consistent with Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s position.

The Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC), long regarded as a stronghold of the Shiv Sena, remains a crucial battleground for the Eknath Shinde-led faction. Retaining dominance here is seen as essential for the alliance's political stability in the region.

Shrikant Shinde also acknowledged ongoing tensions within the alliance, admitting that “friendly fights” have emerged in several poll-bound municipal councils where Shiv Sena and BJP candidates have found themselves in direct competition. Still, he urged restraint and called for internal harmony. He reminded workers and leaders that attacks against alliance partners only weaken the larger coalition. “The alliance in the state as well as at the Centre is intact and strong,” he said, stressing that the leadership continues to remain aligned.