Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray landed in New Delhi on Monday, March 18, to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah in an indication that the two parties were looking to join hands with the BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra ahead of the Lok Sabha elections starting April 19.
According to the reports, Raj Thackeray has hoped to get three seats in Maharashtra, including Southern Mumbai, to contest Lok Sabha elections 2024. Mumbai is where Raj Thackeray’s estranged cousin Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena faction enjoys some influence.
Raj Thackeray had parted ways with the Shiv Sena, when it was undivided, due to his differences with Uddhav Thackeray. However, his MNS could not make much impact even though he is seen as a powerful orator and enjoys a certain following.
While Raj Thackeray is looking to contest the Lok Sabha elections 2024 in Maharashtra on three seats, sources have indicated that the MNS may be allotted two instead. When asked about MNS joining the BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP Mahayuti coalition, Raj Thackeray said, “I don’t know what my schedule is yet. I was just told to come to Delhi. Let’s see.”
BJP leader Pravin Darekar has confirmed MNS joining the BJP-led NDA in Maharashtra, saying seat-sharing will be done. “With leaders joining us, the stature of the (NDA) alliance will only rise…Seat-sharing will happen properly and BJP will do well in the state,” Pravin Darekar was quoted as saying by ANI.
The Election Commission has announced the schedule for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections 2024. The seven-phase elections to elect the next central government in the country begins on April 19 and continue until June 1 when phase 7 will be held. The counting of the votes has been scheduled for June 4.
The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) has come into effect from March 16 after the Election Commission of India announced the dates for elections to the Lok Sabha and four state assemblies.
(With agency inputs)
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Published: 19 Mar 2024, 02:19 PM IST