Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray made a significant announcement on Monday, declaring “unconditional support” for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Speaking at the Gudi Padwa rally at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park, Thackeray revealed that the MNS would not contest the Lok Sabha polls but urged his supporters to gear up for the Maharashtra Assembly elections slated for later this year.
Expressing his stance, Thackeray stated, “I don’t want Rajya Sabha or Vidhan Sabha. I have no expectations and no conditions. My full support for Modi, BJP, NCP (Ajit Pawar), Sena (Eknath Shinde).”
His recent meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah had triggered speculations of a potential alliance with the Mahayuti, comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde, and Ajit Pawar’s faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in Maharashtra.
Thackeray emphasized that while discussions with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and others had taken place regarding working together, he had visited Amit Shah to understand the proposal and seat distribution, maintaining that negotiations were not his forte.
However, Thackeray affirmed his party’s symbol and vowed to contest elections using it, stating, “I have earned our symbol with a lot of hard work. No compromise on symbol.”
Highlighting the significance of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Thackeray remarked that they would shape the future of the country, determining whether it prospers or faces challenges.
Raj Thackeray, who parted ways with the undivided Shiv Sena in 2006 to establish the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), is recognized for his oratory skills and dedicated following. Despite this, MNS has not wielded significant influence, with Thackeray’s controversial remarks against North Indians drawing criticism from various political quarters, including the BJP.
