In the recent Maharashtra assembly elections, Shiv Sena (UBT) led by Uddhav Thackeray won 10 out of the 36 assembly seats in Mumbai, with 3 seats won by a margin of less than 2,000 votes. MNS, even though failing to win any seats and facing derecognition, caused divisions in Mahayuti's vote share in 10 seats, leading to Shiv Sena's victory. This was seen in seats like Worli, Mahim, Bandra East, and Vikhroli, where MNS candidates split the vote, resulting in the win for Shiv Sena candidates.
Raj Thackeray's MNS: The Spoiler that Helped Shiv Sena in Mumbai
The recent Maharashtra Assembly elections witnessed a closely contested battle in Mumbai, where the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) emerged victorious in 10 out of the 36 assembly seats. Notably, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), led by Raj Thackeray, played a significant role in influencing the outcome, despite failing to win any seats itself.
Background
The MNS is a regional political party founded by Raj Thackeray in 2006. It is primarily based in Maharashtra and espouses a strong Marathi identity. In the 2014 Maharashtra Assembly elections, the MNS won seven seats and emerged as a force to reckon with. However, its performance declined in the 2019 elections, where it failed to win any seats.
Role in the 2022 Elections
Despite its electoral losses, the MNS remained a formidable force in Mumbai. It fielded candidates in 22 assembly constituencies in the city, effectively dividing the votes in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance that included Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).
In key constituencies such as Worli, Mahim, Bandra East, and Vikhroli, MNS candidates polled a significant number of votes, splitting the Mahayuti (BJP-Shiv Sena) vote share. This ultimately benefited the Shiv Sena (UBT), which managed to win narrow victories in these seats.
Consequences of MNS's Performance
The MNS's performance highlighted its ability to influence elections even without winning seats. It caused a division in the opposition vote, preventing the Mahayuti alliance from making significant gains in Mumbai. This resulted in the Shiv Sena (UBT) emerging as the dominant force in the city.
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