MUMBAI, Aug. 3 -- The upcoming local body elections in the state are seeing intriguing political manoeuvres - some a rekindling of old ties, others a reaffirmation of solidarity. On Saturday, the Shiv Sena (UBT), MNS and Peasants and Workers Party (PWP), three parties that have seen their strength wane in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), shared the stage and played the Marathi pride card to the hilt. MNS chief Raj Thackeray cautioned residents of Raigad district against "land-grabbing by outsiders", saying it could be the beginning of the end of the Marathi manoos being in the district. Thackeray was speaking at the PWP's 78th anniversary celebrations in Panvel, in the presence of key leaders from the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). While Thackeray was chief guest, Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut and state unit chief of the NCP-SP Shashikant Shinde also attended the event. This is the second time MNS and Sena (UBT) leaders have shared the stage after the political reconciliation between Raj and his cousin, Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray recently. The reunion of the two Thackerays has led to speculation that the MNS and Sena (UBT) could join forces for the upcoming polls. The move is also significant as the MVA wants to stage a show of strength in Raigad, where they have lost ground in recent years. In his brief speech, Raj Thackeray invoked Marathi pride and Marathi language, attacking the BJP-led Mahayuti government for attempting to buy farm land in Raigad for industries. "You (Raigad locals) must be wary of attempts to grab your land for various projects. Land parcels in Raigad are being purchased by outsiders," he said. "Industries are being set up on these lands, but the locals are not being given employment in the companies and projects being set up here. I urge you to not sell your land at any cost. If they ask for your land, demand partnership in the companies. Once you are stripped of your land and language, you will vanish," he added, referring to the Marathi manoos. Thackeray took a swipe at the Devendra Fadnavis-led Mahayuti government for its recent failed attempt to impose Hindi in primary schools in the state. He said if there was no compulsion to impose Hindi in "Narendra Modi and Amit Shah's Gujarat", why impose it here? "In one of his interviews, Amit Shah had said he is not a Hindi-speaking leader, and his mother tongue was Gujarati," said Thackeray. Now, constituents of the MVA believe the coalition should fight the upcoming elections together. A senior PWP leader said the Sena (UBT) and PWP have moved past their differences after the Lok Sabha, assembly and legislative council elections last year....