According to sources, there are at least 30-40 Sena and BJP aspirants in touch with MNS
The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has maintained a studied silence so far about its plans on how many seats the party is contesting for the upcoming assembly polls. However, senior sources from the party have informed DNA that the party is delaying the announcement of its poll plans as it is waiting for the Sena and BJP to arrive at a final decision on their alliance.
According to sources, there are at least 30-40 Sena and BJP aspirants in touch with MNS. In the event of Sena- BJP alliance happening the Sena will have to be content with lesser seats and the aspirants will jump ship and join the MNS.
In 2014, when the Shivsena and BJP alliance broke both the parties and fought elections on all the 288 seats along with their small alliance partners. However, if the alliance works this time, then both the parties will be contesting fewer seats. This will leave a lot of disgruntled elements within both the parties who will have to find other options for their political survival. MNS sources reveal that such leaders may join the MNS and fight on their ticket.
"Both the parties have wasted the last four years in bickering. Hence, both of them have prepared to fight on all seats in order to go solo. There are leaders who have attempted to build their constituencies, and they don't want their efforts to go waste," said a senior MNS functionary on condition of anonymity.
The party wants to use these disgruntled newbies in areas where it is weak in order to build their organisation as well as attempt to improve their electoral prospects. The party is expected to fight on around 125 seats in its traditionally strong pocket boroughs of Nashik, Mumbai, and Pune. However, the party may contest more seats if more unhappy leaders cross over to their side.
"MNS has certain opposition space. Also BJP- Shiv Sena leaders feel a certain kind of ideological affinity with a party like MNS over others. This is also another reason that they will flock over to us," added the MNS functionary.
It is notable that during the Loksabha elections MNS Chief Raj Thackeray had chosen not to field his party in the elections. However, in a series of videos and Powerpoint enabled speeches targeted the BJP and Shiv Sena. However, he had made it clear that the party is going to contest Vidhan Sabha polls.
In its first assembly election MNS won 13 assembly seats (out of 288) in the 2009 assembly elections Maharashtra. These include 6 in Mumbai, 2 in Thane, 3 in Nashik,1 in Pune and 1 in Kannad (Aurangabad) and remain at 2nd spot at more than 24 places. However, in 2014 MNS could manage to win only on one seat and was badly trounced in other seats that it contested.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "MNS")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}