Mumbai: After declaring unconditional assist to the Mahayuti alliance (of Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, Ajit Pawar-led NCP and BJP) in Maharashtra earlier this 12 months, MNS chief Raj Thackeray Monday introduced that he’ll contest the upcoming meeting elections independently and won’t tie up with any political celebration.
Thackeray mentioned his celebration will contest 200-225 seats within the 288-member home and that he has even began figuring out the seats.
“I had given unconditional assist to Narendra Modi within the Lok Sabha however I had by no means mentioned something concerning the Vidhan Sabha,” Thackeray mentioned at a press convention.
He has began touring the state and was in Solapur Monday. The MNS chief has additionally introduced two candidates — Bala Nandgaonkar from Shivadi in Mumbai (Ajay Choudhari is the sitting MLA from Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), and Dilip Dhotre from Pandharpur (Samadhan Autade of BJP is the sitting MLA).
Thackeray once more raked up the topic of giving desire to the Marathi manoos (sons of the soil) when it comes to employment alternatives, a pitch that will hit the Marathi votebank of the Shiv Sena.
Nonetheless, the jury is break up extensive open on whether or not MNS’ resolution to go solo will damage any of the 2 factions of the Shiv Sena, and if it does, it’s believed to possible have an effect on the Shiv Sena UBT.
“For my part, this (MNS going solo and its Marathi manoos pitch) is a plan to divide the Marathi votebank and damage Uddhav Thackeray extra. Though it’s early to remark, however almost definitely he’ll put candidates the place the Shiv Sena UBT is stronger and in Vidhan Sabha polls, a small margin right here and there may change the outcomes,” mentioned political analyst Prakash Bal.
Nonetheless, Dr Ajinkya Gaikwad, assistant professor of politics at a Mumbai-based school, advised ThePrint that Raj Thackeray received’t have a big influence within the state aside from just a few remoted pockets in Mumbai, Thane and Nashik.
“Over time, he hasn’t had a lot influence electorally. Plus, the Shiv Sena’s vote-base is already divided between Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde. So those that don’t subscribe to anybody concept, have the opposite celebration to go to. In that sense, I don’t know the way Raj Thackeray would reduce by way of as a result of the voter additionally chooses a stronger celebration,” Gaikwad mentioned.
Political analysts additionally really feel that submit the Lok Sabha outcomes, the environment has modified for the opposition and the meeting polls can be fought extra on native, emotional points.
Additionally Learn: BJP’s buddy in 2014, foe in 2019, potential ally in 2024 — the numerous flip flops of Raj Thackeray
MNS’ ballot historical past
Following its formation in 2006, the MNS noticed electoral success within the 2009 Maharashtra election and the 2012 civic polls. However since then, the celebration’s journey has been rocky.
Raj Thackeray has modified his stand every so often — in 2014, he supported Modi, then in 2019 he opposed him, solely to announce assist to the PM once more this 12 months.
Although his celebration didn’t win a single seat within the 2009 Lok Sabha polls, it managed to eat into the Shiv Sena-BJP votes throughout the state, particularly in Mumbai, Thane, Pune and Nashik.
Then, within the 2009 Maharashtra elections, the MNS had its brightest second — it received 13 seats on the ‘Marathi manoos’ plank.
The celebration once more did not win a seat within the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, and its tally within the 2014 and 2019 meeting polls stood at one every. It didn’t contest the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.
Accordingly, the MNS’ vote share within the meeting has additionally dropped.
Going by ballot information, within the 2009 meeting elections, the MNS had a vote share of 5.7 % but it surely tanked to three.2 % in 2014 and a pair of.3 % in 2019.
Raj Thackeray has now introduced that he has requested MNS employees to start out preparations to area candidates in 200-225 constituencies in Maharashtra. For this, he has already began touring the state to strengthen the celebration and inspire employees on the bottom degree.
Political consultants imagine that in some constituencies of Mumbai, the MNS may dent the Shiv Sena, particularly of Uddhav Thackeray, in pockets which are conventional votebanks of the Sena, comparable to Worli and Dadar.
Battle for Worli seat
One of many key meeting seats the MNS can be hoping to win is Worli – the constituency of Uddhav Thackeray’s son Aaditya Thackeray. It comes underneath Mumbai South Lok Sabha seat, from the place Arvind Sawant of Shiv Sena UBT received by a small margin this 12 months.
The celebration is reportedly set to area Sandeep Deshpande, who is sort of actively partaking with the residents of Worli over their issues.
The MNS chief met Chief Minister Shinde Saturday to debate issues associated to Worli. He pointed to points in regards to the sprawling BDD chawls in Mumbai, in addition to improvement of colonies for police personnel.
An announcement by the Chief Minister’s Workplace mentioned Shinde directed officers to deal with issues of the residents of Worli on a precedence foundation.
Aaditya Thackeray Monday met with the Maharashtra Housing and Space Improvement Authority chief to take inventory of the standing of BDD chawls.
“Many events are tenting in Worli presently as Worli is a status battle. So even when the MNS has an influence on Worli, I’m not certain whether or not it would have an total influence within the state,” Gaikwad advised ThePrint.
(Edited by Nida Fatima Siddiqui)
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