Maharashtra polls: Sena and MNS show signs of coming together

However, Shiv Sena scoffed at the speculation saying it is geared up for a solo fight

Estranged brothers Uddhav Thackeray, president, Shiv Sena and Raj Thackeray, chief of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), have started talks for a possible alliance in the election to the 288-member Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, slated for October 15.

Raj, who deserted Shiv Sena in 2006 to form his own outfit, took the initiative late in the evening on Thursday after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) announced its decision to snap its 25-year-old alliance with Shiv Sena.

The development assumes significance especially after the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), too, broke its 15-year-old alliance with the Congress in a similar fashion.

Notably, when the two alliances were announcing their break-up, Raj was releasing his blue print for Maharashtra on Thursday evening.

By aligning with the Shiv Sena, Raj hopes to avoid the division of votes and jointly encash the sympathy for the two, especially in the absence of Bal Thackeray.

MNS insiders confirmed the beginning of talks between the two parties.

MNS is represented by senior leaders Bala Nandgaonkar and Rajan Shirodkar, while Shiv Sena team comprises Anil Desai, Vinayak Raut, and Milind Narvekar. These leaders held the first round of talks on Friday morning and then again in the evening.

Sources close to Raj told Business Standard: “Talks are currently on for seat-sharing between Shiv Sena and MNS. Leaders are discussing the division of seats. However, seats like Dadar and Sewree, where MNS has defeated Shiv Sena candidates, are quite contentious. Efforts are being made to work out an amicable solution and thereby seal the seat-sharing deal.”

However, Uddhav’s public relations in-charge, Harshal Pradhan, has denied any such development, saying the Shiv Sena is prepared to fight independently.

According to some Shiv Sena leaders, Uddhav and Raj have fought a battle of one-upmanship and have never hidden their ambition to hold the post of chief minister. Shiv Sena had openly criticised Raj for being an extended arm of the Congress and the NCP after Raj became a spoiler in the 2009 Assembly elections. MNS candidates ate into the traditional votes of both Shiv Sena and the BJP, which led to the defeat of candidates fielded by the two saffron parties. Despite attempts by seniors in Shiv Sena for a patch-up between Uddhav and Raj, the two brothers declined to come together, stepping up attack against each other.