New Delhi: Political equations in Maharashtra could change after the MNS, led by Raj Thackeray, announced its support for BJP Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi.
This means that the former will not only oppose Shiv Sena candidates but also ensure their defeat in the Lok Sabha polls. These developments may compel the Shiv Sena to look for other options which can damage the BJP and help the Congress-NCP combine in the crucial battle ahead.
The BJP leaders have been comfortable with Mr Thackeray after realising that he would be more “useful” than Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray in the long run. The BJP’s attempts to keep the Thackeray cousins together is unlikely to work because of their fight for political space in the state. The BJP had earlier experimented in Tamil Nadu by trying to seek the support of the DMK and the AIADMK before the 2004 general election. But this had proved counterproductive.
The MNS’ main target is neither the Congress, nor the NCP, but the Shiv Sena, because a weakened Sena will give it political space in this election and later, in the Assembly polls which is expected in October-November this year.
The MNS’ move is aimed at isolating the Shiv Sena as the latter would find it difficult to take on the Congress, NCP, MNS and AAP simultaneously. It will either to continue its alliance with the BJP or develop friendly relations with the Congress-NCP combine.
In such a situation, the BJP stands to gain. If the Thackeray cousins support the BJP, then this will be to its advantage; and if it does not work, one of them will remain with it.
Declaring war on Sena, MNS releases first LS list
In a political move aimed at queering the pitch for its arch rival Shiv Sena, the MNS on sunday declared its support for Narendra Modi in his Prime Ministerial bid while fielding its candidates for Lok Sabha polls mainly from those constituencies which are contested by Sena.
Addressing his party workers on the eighth foundation day of MNS here, Raj Thackeray said Mr Modi should become the Prime Minister. “We will contest the Lok Sabha polls. I will show my party’s strength during the polls. We will support Mr Modi for the PM’s post,” he said.
The first list of seven candidates includes filmmaker Mahesh Manjarekar who will make his electoral debut from Mumbai North West seat, currently represented by Congress’ Gurudas Kamat.
