By: Express News ServiceMumbai | Updated: January 17, 2026 08:26 PM IST 3 min readShiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray gestures while speaking during a press conference at the Shivsena Bhavan in Mumbai. (Express photos by Akash Patil)In his first public address after the Shiv Sena (UBT) lost control of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), party chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday accused the BJP of attempting to engineer fresh defections in the Eknath Shinde led Shiv Sena to secure the Mumbai mayor’s post.Reacting to reports that corporators from the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena would be kept at a luxury hotel, Thackeray said the move reflected fear within the Shinde-led Sena.“They (Shinde Sena) are scared of the BJP. People who have split once(sena) can split again.” he said. He added that many corporators elected from the Shinde Sena were earlier with his party and could be targeted again.A day after the BJP–Shinde Sena alliance won the civic polls, Thackeray alleged that the BJP had secured victory through betrayal.“They have won by betrayal. Marathi people will never forgive this. The battle has not ended. It has only begun,” he said.Rejecting claims that his party had been finished, Thackeray said, “The BJP could not finish Shiv Sena on the ground. BJP is only on paper but no on ground. We are in ground even if not on paper,” pointing to the 65 seats won by his party.Referring to the split in the Sena in 2022, Thackeray said, “Last time, we had 84 corporators. After the split, around 54 were taken away. Still, 65 corporators have been elected. This is our strength.”Also Read | Shiv Sena struggles, party candidate loses in Eknath Shinde’s own wardAsked whether an alliance with the Congress could have helped, Thackeray dismissed the question, calling it hypothetical.Story continues below this adHe accused the BJP of creating confusion among Shiv Sena voters by forming what he called the “Shah Sena”. “If this had not happened, the BJP would not have grown. The BJP has not grown on its own. It has taken in corporators from outside,” he said.On his tie-up with Raj Thackeray, Uddhav Thackeray said both parties helped each other. “We came together to stay together,” he said.He also attacked the BJP, saying, “If Balasaheb Thackeray had not helped them, the BJP would not have survived in politics.”Targeting Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Sanjay Raut said, “If Shinde had not betrayed us, the BJP would never have had a mayor in Mumbai.”Story continues below this adMeanwhile, all corporators elected from the Shiv Sena (UBT) met Thackeray at his residence, Matoshree, where he congratulated them. Separately, Raj Thackeray asked party workers to regroup after the polls. In a post on X, he wrote, “Let’s meet again soon. Let’s get back to work. Let’s rebuild our party and organisation anew.”Calling the election a tough fight, Raj Thackeray said it was a contest between money power and “Shiv Shakti”.“This election was not easy. It was a battle of immense money power and state power against Shiv Shakti,” he said.Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd