Mumbai: The Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) strategic move to bolster its Lok Sabha seat count in Maharashtra could potentially pave the way for Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) to once again return to limelight.
In a bid to counter the influence of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena, the BJP has initiated talks with Raj Thackeray, his estranged cousin.
Raj Thackeray arrived in Delhi last night and met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, ostensibly to discuss the possibility of his party’s entry into the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
“I was told to come to Delhi. So I came. Let’s see,” remarked the MNS chief upon his arrival in the national capital, declining to divulge further details to the media post the meeting.
Meanwhile, MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande said, “Whatever decision will be taken will be for the greater good and in the interest of Marathis, Hindutva, and the party.” It has been reported that the MNS is eyeing three seats — South Mumbai, Shirdi and Nashik.
The BJP’s outreach to the MNS is a strategic manoeuvre influenced by the evolving political landscape of Maharashtra since the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
Following the 2019 polls, the BJP and Shiv Sena contested together and secured a dominant victory, winning 41 out of the state’s 48 seats. However, subsequent disagreements over power-sharing led to the Sena’s departure from the NDA, forming a coalition government with the NCP and Congress.
The political drama continued with internal rifts within the Sena and the NCP, resulting in factional splits and legal battles over party names and symbols.
Consequently, the Maharashtra political arena has transformed into a multi-faceted battleground, with the BJP, NCP and Shiv Sena pitted against the Congress and factions led by Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray.
Recognising the intricate nature of Maharashtra’s political landscape and its significance in national politics, the BJP is keen to secure its position, thus reaching out to Raj Thackeray’s MNS.
Founded in 2006, the MNS experienced a surge in its electoral performance in the 2009 state polls but witnessed setbacks in subsequent elections.
Raj Thackeray’s potential alliance with the BJP could provide the MNS with a platform to rejuvenate its political fortunes, adding a new dimension to Maharashtra’s electoral dynamics.
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