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This is an archive article published on March 19, 2024
As Lok Sabha elections near, BJP likely to find a new ally in state in MNS
Sources say that the MNS candidate from South Mumbai could be Bala Nandgaonkar, a former corporator who had unsuccessfully contested from Mumbai South in 2009 and 2014.
3 min read
BJP believes MNS led by Raj Thackeray could dent Sena UBT’s Marathi vote bank. (File Photo)Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP is likely to get the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena led by Raj Thackeray on board, sources said. The move is seen as an attempt to dent the Marathi vote bank of Shiv Sena (UBT). According to sources, the BJP is likely to concede its prestigious Mumbai South Lok Sabha seat to the MNS.
Sources say that the MNS candidate from South Mumbai could be Bala Nandgaonkar, a former corporator who had unsuccessfully contested from Mumbai South in 2009 and 2014. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and state BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule Monday held meeting with central leadership in Delhi in which, sources said, the matter was discussed.
A highly placed source told The Indian Express, “High on the agenda was subject related to the organisation. The BJP is keen on pre-poll alliance with MNS for Lok Sabha polls.”
While BJP has pre-poll alliance with the Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and the NCP led by Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, a senior political observer in the BJP said, “The BJP believes it should further expand its alliance by getting all like minded parties.” The MNS, it believes, could play a spoiler for Shiv Sena (UBT) by denting Marathi voters in some crucial pockets dominated by Uddhav Thackeray’s party.
The developments come a day after the opposition INDIA bloc held a mega rally at Shivaji Park in Mumbai Sunday. Highly placed sources in BJP said, “The talks between BJP and MNS has always been open ended.”
Initially, a section within BJP believed the party should not have any alliance with the MNS as the latter was not a major force to reckon in state. However, a BJP source said: “Raj Thackeray with his oratory skill will play a significant role in attacking the opposition. He may not have strong party network or potential to win many seats, but MNS still have some support base in Thane, Nashik, Mumbai, Kalyan and Pune.”
Officially, both BJP and MNS refused to comment on the alliance.
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A senior MNS official said, “In politics everything is possible. Wait and watch.”
The MNS has been struggling to regain its lost ground in Maharashtra. While it was formed in 2005 after Raj Thackeray walked out of the then undivided Shiv Sena following differences with his cousin Uddhav, MNS got 13 MLAs elected in 2009 Assembly elections and was considered a strong voice in the state Assembly.
However, in subsequent elections its tally declined and the party managed to win just one seat in the 2019 elections. In the 2017 Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation polls, the party won six corporators.
Barring one, all of them joined the then undivided Shiv Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray.
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