MNS backs Sena man in municipal poll

In a surprising move,the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) decided to support the Shiv Sena in the Ambernath municipal council president election and ensured his win on Monday.

The Congress- NCP and Shiv Sena- BJP alliances were precariously poised ahead of the elections on Monday and the support of six MNS corporators was crucial. In the elections held in April,none of the major parties and their alliances could secure a majority in the 50-member council. The incumbent Shiv Sena won 16 seats,BJP won 1 seat,MNS won 6 seats,NCP-RPI-Congress alliance won 20 seats with seven Independents being elected.

Sena had gathered the support of all the seven Independent corporators,taking their tally to 24. Subsequently,Raj Thackeray issued a whip to support Sena in the Ambernath polls and with the six MNS corporators voting in favour of Sena candidate Sunil Chaudhari,he sailed through with 30 votes. Manoj Chavan,Thane district co-ordinator said that they had extended outside support to Sena for local issues and would withdraw it if these were not taken care of.