(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Maharashtra Navnirman Sena has been virtually wiped out from the electoral map of Maharashtra as it manages to get only one seat.
For Raj Thackeray and his Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) Sunday’s election results appears to have reconfirmed the harsh reality of the party’s growing irrelevance in the state.
The MNS which considered Mumbai Thane Nashik and Pune as its strongholds has been virtually wiped out from the electoral map of Maharashtra. Raj split from his estranged cousin Uddhav Thackeray the Sena chief and formed his own party in 2006.
Seen as more ‘charismatic’ and with a striking resemblance to his uncle Bal Thackeray the fiery founder of the Sena many had high hopes that Raj would claim the mantle of the undivided Sena. But after the death of Bal Thackeray the MNS has been on a downward slide.
Uddhav the elder of the two cousins was seen to be a less militant leader as compared to Raj. But the Shiv Sena has thrived under Uddhav whereas the MNS has seen a remarkable slide in its popularity.
The MNS shot into notoriety a few years ago after Raj began targeting north Indians from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar accusing them of snatching jobs from Maharashtrian youth in Mumbai Thane Pune and Nashik.
His violent tactics including attacking north Indian taxi-drivers and migrants arriving in Mumbai won him the support of some sections of Maharashtrian youth. But the MNS failed to mature into a sober party that could offer concrete measures to improve the economic situation of the youth.
About two years ago he visited Gujarat and was impressed by the developments in the state; Raj praised Narendra Modi who was the chief minister of the state and was among the first to back his candidature for the prime minister’s post.
But in the run-up to the state assembly elections Raj turned against Modi and tried to create a rift between Gujaratis and Maharashtrians in Mumbai.
Many supporters of the Shiv Sena and the MNS were clamouring for a patch-up between the two estranged cousins hoping it would bring together the Maharashtrian voters on a common platform. However the differences - and ego problems - between the two brothers meant that neither of them were willing to reconcile on basic differences.
Just a few days before polling Raj came out against the Shiv Sena accusing Uddhav of not being serious about tying up for the elections. Raj claimed that the Shiv Sena had cheated him by first suggesting they decide on an electoral tie-up and then just ignoring him.
But Sunday’s election results have demoralised the MNS cadre and the future for the party appears to be bleak. -nithinkhaleejtimes.com
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