MNS tries to woo Shiv Sena for BMC elections alliance

Mumbai: In an unexpected move, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Bala Nandgaonkar paid a visit to Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray’s residence on Sunday evening, extending a friendly hand for the upcoming BMC polls. This happened after speculations that the Raj Thackeray-led MNS might join hands with Sena if the latter’s alliance with BJP is called off, were doing the rounds. However, Uddhav Thackeray wasn’t present upon Mr Nandgaonkar’s arrival and the latter spoke with Sena leaders Subhash Desai, Anil Desai and Anil Parab.

He demanded that sitting corporators’ seats from the Sena. There was no reply from the Sena, a Sena leader said on condition of anonymity.

The Sena chief declared his party would go solo for the polls on Thursday. “We have made a primary proposal to the Sena for a poll alliance. There was no discussion about the seat sharing. Its not actually about the seat sharing but we are checking possibility if any alliance with Sena is possible,” a MNS leader said.  

Just before going to Matoshree, Mr Nandgaonkar said that his party would have an open alliance if needed but not adopt any secret pact. “If we want to forge an alliance, we would do it openly,” he had said. Party sources said that the MNS has prepared its list of candidates and may release it on January 31 if there is no response from the Sena. The MNS might not contest 227 seats but will field as many candidates as it can.