Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray are set to contest the upcoming BEST Workers’ Co-operative Credit Society election together, marking a rare show of unity between the two estranged cousins. The election is scheduled for 18 August.
The alliance between the BEST Kamgar Sena, affiliated with Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena, and the MNS Kamgar Sena was confirmed through a joint statement issued by BEST Kamgar Sena president Suhas Samant. According to Samant, discussions had been underway for several days between him and MNS Mumbai president Sandeep Deshpande. Acting on instructions from their respective party leaderships, both factions have agreed to field a unified panel.
“The BEST credit society election holds great significance, as the winning panel is seen as influential within the BEST undertaking,” said Samant. He added that with the Thackeray brand currently dominating public discourse in Maharashtra, “the joint front sends a strong message of Marathi unity.”
Political observers believe this unprecedented alliance could pave the way for further collaboration between the two parties, particularly ahead of the crucial Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. The move is widely viewed as a strategic bid to consolidate Marathi votes, especially amid growing concerns among workers that the current government is steering BEST operations towards privatisation.
“BEST has long been a vital source of employment for the Marathi community,” said a union leader. “However, the current government’s policies seem geared towards handing over BEST to private industrialists, sidelining Marathi workers.”
The credit society is currently controlled by Shiv Sena (UBT). Over the past nine years, the union’s board has implemented a series of pro-worker policies, earning significant goodwill among employees. With the MNS now part of the alliance, the panel is expected to command even greater influence.
Union leaders also highlighted rising discontent among BEST employees. Since June 2022, following the formation of the BJP-led Mahayuti government, gratuity payments to retired workers have been delayed, and recruitment has remained stagnant. Additionally, the number of buses owned by BEST has steadily declined, further fuelling employee dissatisfaction.
