Fadnavis Hints at Potential MNS Alliance for Upcoming Maharashtra Municipal Elections
Mumbai, 7th December 2024: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has suggested that Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) might join the ruling Mahayuti alliance for the upcoming municipal body elections in the state.
In a recent interview, Fadnavis remarked, “Raj Thackeray’s ideologies align with ours. We will explore the possibility of including his party in the local body elections wherever feasible.”
Although MNS supported the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, it contested the state assembly elections alone in November, failing to secure any seats. After Fadnavis took oath as Chief Minister on December 5, alongside his deputies Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, Thackeray expressed continued support for the government’s positive initiatives over the next five years.
On social media, Thackeray extended his best wishes to Fadnavis, reflecting on missed opportunities in 2019 and 2022, when Fadnavis couldn’t become Chief Minister despite the BJP securing the highest number of seats.
“This time, the people have given an unprecedented mandate to the Mahayuti, especially to the leadership of Devendra Fadnavis. I hope this will be effectively utilized for the state, its Marathi people, language, and culture,” Thackeray stated.
In the recent Maharashtra Assembly elections, the BJP won 132 out of 288 seats, followed by Shiv Sena with 57 and NCP with 41. The opposition Shiv Sena (UBT) secured 20 seats, Congress 16, and NCP-SP 10.
