India, Dec. 23 -- In a significant political development ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) announced it will contest the polls in alliance with Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).

The formal announcement is expected on Wednesday, said senior Sena leader Sanjay Raut.

"There will be no further discussion with the Congress. Post-election, if required, we will take support from them. But I am confident both Thackeray brothers will cross 100 seats in the BMC," Raut told reporters, less than 24 hours after speaking with Rahul Gandhi over the phone.

Congress, however, reaffirmed its opposition to Raj Thackeray and indicated it could discontinue its alliance with S...