Months after the disastrous performance in the Maharashtra Assembly polls and prior to that in the Lok Sabha election, Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) faces prospect of a split.
Pravin Darekar, one of the most trusted aides of Mr. Thackeray on Saturday held a meeting with the Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, triggering speculations of him joining the rival party. While Mr. Darekar refused to divulge the details of the meeting, he is likely to announce his decision at a press conference in the next few days.
Mr. Darekar has already resigned from the party posts and has announced that he will continue working as a member.
According to sources close to Mr. Darekar, he is upset over the coterie of advisors surrounding the MNS chief and feels neglected. It was rumoured earlier that Mr. Darekar would join the BJP.
Apart from Mr. Darekar, the discontent among the leaders from Nashik and Pune may also harm the party. Several senior leaders, including former MLAs are said to be on their way out to join either the Sena or the BJP.
Mr. Thackeray has already announced that he will not stop anyone who wants to quit the party, as these testing times will identify his real supporters.
