21 December,2023 06:43 AM IST | Mumbai | Sameer Surve
MNS chief Raj Thackeray has asked leaders to identify potential candidates. File pic
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Even as his party will be contesting the Lok Sabha elections in 2024, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray is not happy with the performance of its leaders, sources in the party told mid-day. During a review meeting held on Monday, Thackeray ordered party leaders to start their work in the constituencies and also to be more aggressive on citizens' issues.
The meeting with senior MNS leaders and office bearers was held at the MIG Cricket Club in Bandra. The party discussed 22 of the 48 Lok Sabha constituencies in Maharashtra. An MNS leader said on condition of anonymity that the 22 constituencies include all six in Mumbai, three in Thane, one in Palghar and Raigad each, and two in Pune. The rest are in Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur, and Nashik. "Thackeray asked us to submit the names of suitable candidates for Lok Sabha elections. Of the 22 constituencies discussed, we will definitely contest elections from 16. We will decide on the rest of the seats based on the candidates available," the leader said.
MNS did not contest in 2019: In 2014, the MNS contested from 11 Lok Sabha constituencies. In 2019, it did not contest the polls, but Thackeray held rallies against the BJP-led government.
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Another leader present at the meeting told mid-day, "The party chief is not happy with the performance of party leaders. He has asked party leaders and senior office bearers to start raising citizens' issues and be more active in the constituencies."
On the other hand, since Eknath Shinde became the chief minister, he has met Raj Thackeray on various occasions and the two appeared to share a positive relationship. Yet, Thackeray has decided to field MLA Raju Patil from the Kalyan constituency against Shinde's son, Dr Shrikant Shinde, who is the current MP from the seat. Senior MNS leader, Bala Nandgaonkar, will be contesting from the Mumbai South constituency against Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Arvind Sawant.
Former Pune corporator Vasant More will contest from Pune or Baramati. In 2014, the MNS declared support for the BJP should it come to power. However, 10 of the 11 seats it contested were those that BJP's alliance partner Shiv Sena was contesting.
16
Seats MNS will definitely contest
06
Seats MNS is seeking candidates for
