MUMBAI: In a last-ditch attempt to remain in the race for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray sent a proposal of alliance on Sunday to the Shiv Sena through former MNS MLA Bala Nandgaonkar. The Shiv Sena is headed by Raj’s estranged cousin Uddhav Thackeray.
Mr. Nandgaonkar held a meeting with Sena leaders at Thackeray residence Matoshri, but had to return without a final decision on the proposal. This is the second attempt by the MNS chief to seek an alliance with the Sena; three weeks ago, he had said his party will consider an alliance if he gets a proposal. After Uddhav announced on January 26 that his party will be severing electoral ties with long-time ally BJP, MNS leaders had said both parties could come together. While none of the Sena leaders had responded to those overtures, the MNS seem determined to continue with its efforts.
“He has gone there with a message and we hope to get Sena’s response,” an MNS leader, who declined to be named, said. While the Sena chief did not meet Mr. Nandgaonkar, the party’s second-rung leadership did and said the final decision will be taken by Uddhav. “We have gone far ahead and forging an alliance at the last minute is a distant possibility. We have even finalised our candidates for almost all seats. How can we form an alliance at this time?” a senior Sena leader said.
Raj has been maintaining since launching the MNS that he will not join hands with any other party. However, after the disastrous performance in the 2014 Lok Sabha and Assembly polls — MNS managed to win only one seat in the latter — the party is on a downward spiral.
