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The political rift between Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) and Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) seems to be widening. On Thursday, MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande accused Shiv Sena (UBT) corporators of supporting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate in the Chandrapur mayoral election in exchange for money. Deshpande claimed that each Sena (UBT) corporator was allegedly offered R1 crore for their support.

“Through my sources, I have learnt that Sena (UBT) corporators were offered remuneration for supporting the BJP mayoral candidate in the Chandrapur municipal corporation,” the MNS leader added. A Shiv Sena (UBT) leader from Chandrapur, however, has dismissed Deshpande’s accusations, calling them “baseless.” The leader challenged Deshpande to provide proof if his claims were genuine.

Sandeep Deshpande, MNS leader. PIC/X/@SandeepDadarMNS

Meanwhile, Deshpande also took a sharp swipe at senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and member of Parliament Sanjay Raut, who had earlier criticised the MNS for backing deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena in the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC). mid-day reported on February 7 about the tensions between the cousins’ factions following the civic elections, with workers from both parties accusing each other of helping rivals after the polls. 

A fragile alliance?

The split
In 2005, Raj Thackeray, protesting against the ‘coterie’ surrounding his cousin Uddhav, left the Shiv Sena, which was founded by his uncle Bal Thackeray in 1966, to float the MNS 

The reunion
In December last year, Raj and Uddhav reunited for the causes of Marathi and Maharashtra pride, contesting civic polls against the BJP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena 

The reason
Initially, MNS supported the Shinde Sena in the Kalyan Dombivli and Nashik municipal corporations for electing the mayor. Later, likewise, Sena (UBT) supported the BJP in the Chandrapur civic body

The takeaway
The renewed alliance is under strain, and post-poll alliances in general are becoming unpredictable in Maharashtra politics

Mutual discontent
After the election, MNS workers accused Shiv Sena (UBT) of not working for its party’s candidates. Both camps allege the other supported rivals, flouting alliance dharma 

Feb 11
Day Chandrapur mayor was elected