Under the leadership of Raj Thackeray, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) is poised to join forces with the BJP-led NDA just before the Lok Sabha elections. Speculation is rife that discussions of an alliance are currently ongoing. Raj Thackeray has embarked on his journey to Delhi from Mumbai this Monday. Rumor has it that MNS is lobbying for one or two seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections as part of the ruling coalition's offerings.
Sources claim MNS has its sights on South Mumbai and Shiridi Lok Sabha seats. Currently, Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and state BJP President Chandrashekhar Bawankule are also in Delhi. Both BJP and MNS share a common belief in Hindutva ideology and are keen on forming an alliance. During the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Raj Thackeray did not field any candidates but did campaign against BJP throughout the state.
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Frequent Interactions Between MNS and BJP Leaders
Ashish Shelar, Mumbai's BJP chief, had recently met with Raj Thackeray at his Shivaji Park residence amidst rumors of MNS joining the NDA. Earlier in February, during the month, MNS leaders had also visited the Deputy CM and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis at his official residence to discuss the upcoming general elections. Sources indicated that MNS leaders had delegated the responsibility of negotiating seat sharing to three of their most trusted leaders who are in talks with BJP. An alliance between BJP and MNS could prove most beneficial to MNS, which is currently confined to a few seats and has a weakening organization in Maharashtra.
In the 1990s, Raj Thackeray considered himself the heir to his uncle Balasaheb Thackeray. However, Balasaheb chose his son Uddhav over him. Following this sidelining by Bal Thackeray, a disappointed Thackeray resigned from Shiv Sena on 27th November 2005 and established the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena in Mumbai on 9th March 2006.
