Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray is set to seal an alliance with the BJP soon ahead of the April 19 Lok Sabha elections. Speculations about the alliance started making rounds after Raj Thackeray, along with son Amit, held a closed-door meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi on Tuesday.
Top sources from both the parties have indicated that the BJP is willing to share one seat with the MNS. Though there is no confirmation on the seat — South Mumbai or Shirdi or Nasik — top sources have confirmed to News18 that the possibility of South Mumbai being given to MNS is the highest.
Which Seat Will MNS Get?
Sources have indicated that MNS will most likely get the South Mumbai Lok Sabha seat, which will be contested by senior MNS leader and Raj Thackeray loyalist Bala Nandgaonkar. He had fought twice from the constituency in the past.
In an exclusive interview, Nandgaonkar told News18, “Thackeray brand has always stood for Hindutva. The talks between MNS and BJP were positive. We are looking at one or two seats. Most probably, we will contest from South Mumbai. I am aware that my name is on the forefront. I have contested from the constituency twice. Whatever my party leader tells me, I will do it. It is his decision. I am ready. We have a party meeting tomorrow. After the alliance is decided, the leaders will jointly declare it.”
Over the last few days, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis held three secret meetings with Raj Thackeray to discuss the possibility of alliance. After the preliminary talks for Maharashtra were sealed, Raj Thackeray expressed his desire to meet Amit Shah for a one-to-one meeting. So, Fadnavis communicated the talks to Delhi. After a green signal from there, the meeting between Amit Shah and Raj Thackeray was decided.
Why BJP Wants MNS On Board
With MNS interested in South Mumbai and the Nashik Lok Sabha seat, the Marathi-speaking South Mumbai vote base can help the BJP in fighting incumbent Arvind Sawant of the Shiv Sena (UBT) which has retained core base in Nashik as well during the civic body elections.
Sources say the BJP believes Raj Thackeray’s oratory skills, his ability to draw crowds will help the party counter Uddhav Thackeray’s appeal, and have a member of the Thackeray clan to their side.
Although the MNS has no MP or MLA in Maharashtra, the BJP hopes to make use of Raj Thackeray’s Marathi-speaking vote base in Mumbai, Thane, Pune and Nashik civic bodies.
Raj Thackeray’s brand, Eknath Shinde’s rivalry with Shiv Sena (UBT) and BJP’s ideological stance would help the party gain ground strength.
When asked about Raj Thackeray joining the Mahayuti alliance, BJP leader Nitesh Rane, in an exclusive chat with News18, said that it will strengthen the party’s Hindutva agenda.
Taking a jibe at former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, Rane said, “We will get original Thackeray with us. Uddhav Thackeray is now Chinese brand, duplicate. He isn’t true to Hindutva. He has joined hands with the Congress. Whereas Raj Thackeray is the firebrand Hindutva icon who carries the mantle of Balasaheb Thackeray’s ideology.”
When asked whether the BJP will be willing to give a seat to the MNS, Rane said that the main aim is to “make Modiji the Prime Minister for the third time.” “We will take everyone along. And as our leader Fadnavis has said, we will take all our friends together and will adjust wherever required,” he added.
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