Mumbai: There is a strong buzz that Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) may join hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after pictures of MNS chief Raj Thackeray's visit to New Delhi and meetings with BJP leadership including Home Minister Amit Shah.
BJP which is leaving no stone unturned to secure a 45-plus seats in ensuing Lok Sabha elections, is looking at Raj Thackeray's MNS to help the party get those seats.
In the dynamic landscape of Maharashtra politics, alliances and strategic partnerships play a pivotal role, and the BJP's exploration of an alliance with the MNS displays the saffron party's pragmatic approach towards securing electoral success.
We analyse five reasons why Raj Thackeray will be a better option for BJP instead of Eknath Shinde.
1. Raj Thackeray's Resilient Voter Base
Despite recent electoral setbacks, Raj Thackeray's MNS retains a formidable voter base, positioning it as a potential ally for the BJP. While Thackeray may not have secured victories in recent state assembly or Lok Sabha elections, his enduring support among voters at the grassroots level adds weight to the BJP's strategic considerations.
In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections BJP won 23 out of 25 contested seats where it fought the elections with Shiv Sena as a partner, which secured 18 out of 23 seats they contested. Though BJP already is in allaiance with Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar's NCP, it is looking at other alliance partners in Maharashtra.
2. Possible Offer For MNS
To bring Raj Thackeray on board, the party is also ready to part with a Rajya Sabha seat and also offer a legislative council seat to Raj Thackeray's son Amit from Governor's quota.
A top BJP leader, speaking to the Times Of India revealed that in such a scenario, the BJP may offer Rajya Sabha seat to Bala Nandgaonkar, known for defeating OBC leader Chhagan Bhujbal from Mazgaon.
3. Nandgaonkar In Fray From South Mumbai?
The saffron party is also open to field Nandgaonkar from South Mumbai seat against UBT's Arvind Sawant. There are also speculations revolving that the NDA might field Bala Nandgaonkar against Shiv Sena UBT's Arvind Sawant on the South Mumbai seat. This might be an interesting fight as both the leaders hold immense respect amongst the Marathi masses in south Mumbai.
4. Political Maneuvering Amidst Vacancies & Alliances
(R to L) Home Minister Amit Shah, MNS leader Raj Thackeray, and Thackeray's son Amit |
The revelation comes against the backdrop of an impending vacancy in the Rajya Sabha due to Union Minister Piyush Goyal's candidacy in the Mumbai North Lok Sabha constituency. The unexpected meeting between Raj Thackeray and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, reportedly facilitated by Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, has added a new dimension to Maharashtra's political landscape. While the details of the meeting remain undisclosed, it holds significant political implications.
5. Strategic Alliances & Potential Support
The BJP leader emphasized the importance of reaching an amicable deal with the MNS, as their support could bolster BJP's prospects in achieving the coveted 45-plus seat goal. The leader further acknowledged the influence of Eknath Shinde, who orchestrated a split in the Shiv Sena and secured the party's symbol and name. However, doubts persist regarding Shinde's voter base, with indications that grassroots support still favours Uddhav Thackeray, the president of the Shiv Sena's breakaway faction.
