Shiv Sena tells MNS to stay off BMC polls

Mumbai: Couching it as a social media message gone viral, Shiv Sena leaders are covertly communicating to MNS that if the party really feels for Sena and for the Marathi manoos, it should not field any candidate in the upcoming BMC elections.

The hush-hush message goes on to say that just like MNS did not field any candidates in the Lok Sabha elections supporting Narendra Modi, it should not field candidates in the civic polls. “If the MNS doesn’t do this, we doubt it is playing into the hands of the BJP. If MNS did not field candidates against BJP in the Lok Sabha elections, then why not in BMC elections! That will clear all doubts about MNS and its intentions will not be questioned,” said a Sena leader.

On Sunday following rumours that Sena and MNS might join hands in the civic polls, MNS leader Bala Nandgaonkar visited Matoshree, the Thackerays’ official residence and met senior Sena leader, Subhash Desai. By Monday however, Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray cleared the air that he was not allying with any party and had refused to accept any proposals for alliance.

Apparently, MNS wanted an alliance with Sena and was ready to give all seats except those where it won. However, this led to uneasiness amongst MNS workers who were not able to understand what the fuss was about. However, Sena’s latest missive makes it very clear that it is not interested in an alliance with MNS.

Raj Thackeray had left Shiv Sena in 2005 after a major showdown with his cousin Uddhav Thackeray over he being given the responsibility of the party. Yet, last week he chose to send his party leader Mr Nandgaonkar, a former minister in Sena-BJP led government who shifted his allegiance to the MNS in 2006, for proposing alliance with Sena. However, Uddhav, who is now Shiv Sena president, has ruled out a possibility of alliance with the MNS.