Trending:

BJP Reaches Out To Raj Thackeray: Will MNS Join NDA?

As India gears for a fiercely contested political battle, tensions are on the rise in Maharashtra’s political landscape. The upcoming Lok Sabha elections have spurred intense negotiations and discussions. BJP Mumbai chief Ashish Shelar met Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray on February 19.

Archana Shukla

Updated Feb 19, 2024, 23:26 IST

MNS Chief Raj Thackeray (File image)

Photo : PTI

Mumbai: As India gears for a fiercely contested political battle, tensions are on the rise in Maharashtra’s political landscape. The upcoming Lok Sabha elections have spurred intense negotiations and discussions. BJP Mumbai chief Ashish Shelar met Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray on February 19.

According to reports, Shelar extended an invitation to Thackeray to join hands with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. This proposal follows deliberations at the BJP's national convention, where the possibility of collaboration with MNS was discussed.

Given MNS's alignment with the Hindutva ideology, akin to the BJP, saffron party leaders are reportedly inclined towards forging a coalition. With MNS boasting a significant voter base in Mumbai, capturing approximately 7 to 8 percent of the votes, a potential alliance could strengthen BJP's foothold in the financial capital.

While leaders from both BJP and MNS have refrained from publicly endorsing the alliance, subtle hints and closed-door meetings suggest ongoing negotiations. Thackeray's recent meeting with Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis on February 7 further fueled speculation about potential collaborations and seat-sharing arrangements.

Maharashtra is set to witness dual elections this year, comprising 48 Lok Sabha seats and 288 assembly constituencies, strategic alliances hold significant sway over the political landscape. The existing 'Mahayuti' alliance, comprising CM Eknath Shinde-led Shinde Sena, BJP, and Ajit Pawar's faction NCP, underscores the complex web of alliances shaping the region's politics.

BJP-MNS Relationship: A Complex Saga:

Since its inception in 2006 after splitting from Bal Thackeray’s Shiv Sena, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has been a key player in the state's politics, often surrounded by controversy. Notably, the party gained attention for its 2008 Anti-North Indian campaign and push for Marathi business signs.

In the lead-up to the 2014 elections, MNS Chief Raj Thackeray openly praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, endorsing the Gujarat model of development and even attending Modi's swearing-in ceremony as Gujarat CM.

However, Thackeray's stance towards the BJP quickly shifted. Within a few years, he went from praising Modi to sharply criticizing him during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, despite not running in the elections himself. This lead to strong accusations from the BJP of echoing Sharad Pawar's script.

The political landscape saw further twists when Uddhav’s Shiv Sena formed a coalition with Sharad Pawar's NCP, forming the "Maha Vikas Agadi" government in 2019. Thackeray's allegiances shifted once again in 2022, this time criticizing the MVA government's handling of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. Then in 2023, Uddhav Thackeray resigned from his post as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra.

Latest News