MNS plays spoiler for Sena-BJP alliance

By securing 13 seats in its maiden outing in the Assembly polls, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has dealt a blow to Opposition Shiv Sena-BJP alliance, making victory easier for the ruling Congress-NCP combine.

The party contested 143 of the 288 seats in the state.

Reacting to the victory of the party, MNS chief and estranged nephew of Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray, Raj told voters that his MLAs would show how to be a good Opposition and will "raise hell" in the Assembly.

The three-year-old party succeeded in attracting youth and women votes, ruining Sena's hope of emerging as the single largest party in the state.

MNS won seats in the areas dominated by middle-class Maharashtrians, like Mahim, Sewaree, Vikhroli, Bhandup, Ghatkopar (West), Magathane and Kalyan (rural) by striking a chord among Marathi people on issue of "sons of soil".

The party has also secured three seats in Nashik in western Maharashtra, one seat each in Khadkwasala in Pune region and Kannad in Aurangabad.

Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal said MNS is following the pattern set by Sena earlier.

"Sena fought on the same issue and never grew beyond city boundaries. MNS is going the same way," he said.