Is MNS the Biggest Loser in the Alliance with Uddhav Thackeray?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- BJP's victory in the BMC elections marks a significant political shift.
- MNS is perceived as the biggest loser in the alliance with Uddhav Thackeray.
- The alliance did not yield any substantial gains for Raj Thackeray's party.
- Uddhav Thackeray claims mutual benefits in the coalition.
- The BJP continues to dominate across various voter demographics.
Pune, Jan 17 (NationPress) Following the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) remarkable win in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday sharply criticized the partnership between the Thackeray brothers. At a victory rally and subsequent press conference, CM Fadnavis labeled Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) as the “biggest loser” in this political coalition, asserting that his earlier predictions regarding the MNS–Shiv Sena (UBT) alliance had been confirmed by the election results.
Even with the prominent alliance of Uddhav and Raj Thackeray, the MNS only secured a mere eight seats.
“It was politically evident that MNS would be the biggest loser in this partnership. My forecast has been validated by the outcomes. While this alliance favored Uddhav Thackeray, Raj Thackeray and his party gained absolutely nothing,” stated CM Fadnavis.
In response, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray rejected the idea that the alliance was one-sided. He highlighted that an MNS candidate won in the ward containing the Shiv Sena Bhavan, suggesting this indicated shared benefits.
“There was complete synergy between the workers of both parties. Wherever we campaigned, we witnessed no division between MNS and Shiv Sena supporters. We fought this battle with a united heart,” Thackeray emphasized.
Regarding the BJP’s triumph in the BMC elections, CM Fadnavis remarked it was “all touching and all-pervading,” breaking down traditional caste and language barriers.
“The Marathi man of Mumbai, perceived by some as their private property, is now firmly standing with the BJP. Our corporators have achieved victories in slums, high rises, chawls, and Koliwadas. There isn’t a single area where the BJP did not find success,” he noted, attributing the party’s ongoing dominance since 2014 to PM Modi’s leadership.
CM Fadnavis also stated that despite contesting fewer seats than the opposition, the BJP maintained a higher strike rate and vote share.