Sena blames MNS for splitting Marathi votes

As it became clear that Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has eaten into its votes, Shiv Sena today blamed the Raj Thackeray-led party for 'handing over the keys of the state to outsiders.'        

"We have not suffered a setback. We are in second place. We took a hit in urban areas," Shiv Sena leader Diwakar Raote said.        

"MNS tried to divide people on regional lines," Raote said, blaming that party for the division of Marathi votes.        

Responding to the Sena criticism, MNS general secretary Nitin Sardesai said, "Sena should do introspection. The Marathi manoos plank, initiated by the Sena, was later abandoned by it but MNS was firm on the issue."        

"This is a victory of the ideology of MNS and people have voted for us in large numbers, with youth and women being our major supporters," he said.        

He appreciated response given to MNS candidate at Nashik and said voters trusted the party.