Raj Thackeray Announces MNS Plans for Maharashtra Elections
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) Chief Raj Thackeray announced plans to contest 200 to 250 seats in the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections. He criticized the state’s administration and the Mahayuti alliance’s financial plans.
Thackeray remarked, “The Maharashtra government lacks the funds to repair potholes. How will they find the money for ‘Laadli Behen’ and ‘Laadla Bhai’?” He also commented on the internal conflicts within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), saying, “If both Laadla Bhai and Behen were happy together, then the party wouldn’t have split.”
Thackeray highlighted the confusion within the current political landscape, stating, “One could not make out which MLA is in which party. In upcoming polls, there will be a rumble fight amongst these parties.”
Addressing speculations of defections within his party, Thackeray declared, “I heard some of them from my party also want to join someone. I lay a red carpet for them. They can go immediately.” He emphasized that MNS candidates will be chosen based on credibility and winnability.
In preparation for the upcoming elections, Thackeray revealed that the MNS has been conducting surveys across districts. “There is a trend of surveys these days. So even I had appointed 4 to 5 members for each district to conduct surveys. They spoke to the prominent people and journalists in these areas. Now this team will come again for a second round to talk to you. Give them genuine feedback,” he urged.
Thackeray announced that he will begin a Maharashtra tour starting August 1 to engage in detailed discussions with party workers and supporters. “We will fight 200 to 250 seats in upcoming assembly polls. At any cost, I want to make my party worker sit in power. I want you to work hard for the upcoming polls,” he said.
In the 2019 Assembly election, the MNS only won 1 seat. During the recent Lok Sabha polls, the MNS supported the BJP. Elections to the 288-member Maharashtra Legislative Assembly are scheduled to be held later this year with the tenure of the current state assembly ending in 2024. However, the Election Commission of India has yet to announce the dates. In the recent parliamentary elections, Congress emerged as the largest party in the state, with 13 Lok Sabha MPs, and along with Shiv Sena UBT’s 9 and the NCP (Pawar)’s 8 MPs, Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) won 30 seats out of the total number of 48 constituencies in Maharashtra.
Doubts Revealed
Raj Thackeray -: Raj Thackeray is a politician in India. He is the leader of a political party called Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).
MNS -: MNS stands for Maharashtra Navnirman Sena. It is a political party in the Indian state of Maharashtra.
Maharashtra -: Maharashtra is a state in western India. It is known for its capital city, Mumbai, which is also the financial capital of India.
Maharashtra assembly elections -: These are elections held to choose representatives for the legislative assembly of Maharashtra. The assembly makes laws and decisions for the state.
Mahayuti alliance -: Mahayuti is a political alliance in Maharashtra. It includes several parties that work together during elections.
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) -: NCP is a political party in India. It is one of the major parties in Maharashtra.
Defections -: Defections mean when a member of one political party leaves to join another party. It often happens before elections.
Credibility and winnability -: Credibility means being trusted and believed in. Winnability means having a good chance of winning. MNS will choose candidates who are trusted and have a good chance of winning the elections.
Maharashtra tour -: Raj Thackeray will travel around Maharashtra to meet with party workers and supporters. This is called a tour.