With MNS cozying up, BJP led NDA eyes on bolstering its electoral fortunes in MMR & Nashik belt

MNS demands at least two LS seats before joining the NDA fold ahead of the 2024 polls.

X: @the_news_21

Mumbai: Even as the Raj Thackeray led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) tries to play the hard ball over the electoral alliance with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP led NDA is eying to bolster its electoral fortunes in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) of Mumbai-Thane and the Nashik belt.

According to sources the MNS has demanded at least two Lok Sabha seats to contest in Maharashtra. This comes close on the heels of MNS chief Raj Thackeray calling on Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Tuesday.

Founded in 2006, the MNS tasted its only spectacular electoral success in the 2009 Legislative Assembly elections in Maharashtra bagging 13 assembly seats and coming second in about 24 seats. These included 6 in Mumbai, 2 in Thane, 3 in Nashik,1 in Pune and 1 in Kannad (Aurangabad). Thereafter, in the subsequent assembly elections its electoral fortunes took a nosedive as it was able to win only one assembly seat since then.

Taking the electoral reverses to heart, the MNS did not contest the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. However, it did contest 101 seats in the subsequent Assembly elections and forfeited its election deposits in 86 assembly seats.

However, what was noteworthy to note was that the MNS had polled more than 10% of votes in about 30 assembly seats in the 2019 assembly elections. These 30 assembly segments are part of 10 Lok Sabha seats — Nashik, Pune, Kalyan, Thane and six Mumbai seats. Out of these 30 assembly seats, MNS had won 1 seat and was runner-up in 9 seats and third in 27 seats.

Besides the Assembly elections, the MNS has had significant electoral presence in Municipal Corporations like – Mumbai, Thane, Nashik, Pune and Jalgaon. The MNS had bagged power in the Nashik municipal corporation in 2012.

Who else other than Nationalist Congress Party (NCP – Ajit Pawar faction) Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection, Chhagan Bhujbal can understand the electoral significance of the MNS joining the NDA fold. “MNS entry will strengthen Mahayuti, bolster its prospects in Maharashtra polls”, remarked Bhujbal.

The list of assembly seats where MNS received more than 10% votes in the 2019 assembly elections is as follows:

Warora 18.77

Nashik Central 14.26

Nashik West 11.65

Palghar 9.91

Bhiwandi Rural 22.6

Kalyan West 20.06

Ambarnath 10.18

Dombivali 30.91

Kalyan Rural 47.46

Kopri-Pachpakhadi 12.39

Thane 40.88

Airoli 11.62

Belapur 15.82

Dahisar 12.63

Magathane 27.13

Mulund 19.35

Vikhroli 12.54

Bhandup West 26.86

Dindoshi 16.55

Goregaon 17.52

Vile Parle 13.22

Ghatkopar West 10.05

Ghatkopar East 15.59

Chembur 10.86

Kalina 18.89

Sion Koliwada 10.54

Wadala 14.53

Mahim 34.42

Shivadi 28.27

Kothrud 40.87

Hadapsar 14.62

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