India, Jan. 22 -- Political manoeuvring for control of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) in the civic elections has led MNS chief Raj Thackeray to back Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena in Kalyan, a surprise move considering that Shinde is the bete noire of Raj's alliance partner Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray.

The move could strain the alliance between Raj and Uddhav, who had joined forces with much fanfare for crucial elections to 29 municipal corporations in the state.

On Wednesday, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) extended the support of its five corporators to the Sena in the KDMC, adding crucial numbers to Shinde's quest for a majority in the corporation.

The other big move was made by Shinde, who is making a bid for power...