Raj Thackeray's party backs Sena-BJP combine in Thane Mayoral poll

Raj Thackeray-led MNS has announced its unconditional support to the Shiv Sena-BJP combine in the Thane Mayoral poll slated for Tuesday evening

The announcement was made by MNS chief Raj Thackeray at a press conference Tuesday afternoon.

Raj said his party, which won seven seats in the last month's poll to Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC), stood for the development of the city, a suburb of Mumbai.

The civic poll mandate was in favour of the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance. Hence, MNS was extending support to the saffron combine, he said.

Raj said three Sena MLAs from Thane met him yesterday and sought his support in the Mayoral poll. The legislators said this was desire of Sena chief Bal Thackeray too.

The Sena-BJP emerged as the largest bloc, winning 61 seats in the 130-member body, but it was short of a simple majority (66) and needed the support of others to install their candidate as Mayor.

Raj, estranged nephew of Bal Thackeray, left Shiv Sena and floated his own party in 2006.

Sena Corporator Harishchandra Patil is the saffron combine's candidate for the Mayor's post. He is being challenged by Najib Mullah of NCP.