Amidst a series of incidents involving MNS activists resorting to violence against non-Marathi speakers, party chief Raj Thackeray has declared a revival of the party's "Mi Marathi" campaign. The ruling Mahayuti and opposition MVA parties have remained cautious in their reactions, with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stating that demanding Marathi in Maharashtra is not wrong but violence will not be tolerated. While the BJP is reportedly backing the MNS for the upcoming BMC polls, former NCP minister believes it is a ploy to weaken the Shiv Sena-led alliance. The MNS, which has been struggling in the state elections, has found an opportunity to regain political relevance under Thackeray's leadership.
In his annual Gudhi Padwa rally, Maharashtra Navanirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray criticized efforts to stir up communal tension over Aurangzeb's tomb. He urged people not to rely on WhatsApp forwards for historical information and reminded them that the Mughal ruler failed to defeat the legacy of Shivaji Maharaj. Thackeray's comments come as right-wing groups call for the removal of Aurangzeb's tomb, leading to protests and violence.
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.
After Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray submitted his nomination from Worli Assembly Constituency, the MNS announced Rajya Sabha MP Milind Deora as their candidate, setting up a Sena versus Sena battle. This is a significant shift from the Shiv Sena's stronghold in Worli, which has been a Thackeray family stronghold for decades. With MNS candidate Sandeep Deshpande also in the mix, there is speculation of a split in Maratha votes, which could affect the Shiv Sena's victory chances in the upcoming assembly election. While Shiv Sena justifies their low majority in Worli in the recent Lok Sabha polls to overconfidence, the change in political equations is evident with MNS chief Raj Thackeray's decision to not field a candidate against Aaditya Thackeray in 2019.
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray criticized the ruling MahaYuti alliance leaders Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar, and Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray for their failure to provide reservation for the Maratha community. Thackeray accused them of instigating caste riots in the state for political gain. He also clarified that his party's stance on reservations has always been based on economic criteria and not caste.
With the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, PM Modi took the stage at Shivaji Park in Dadar alongside MNS chief Raj Thackeray, rallying for votes from the people of Mumbai. In his speech, he strongly criticized Congress, spoke about the success of the Modi government and his plans for the country's future development, including the abrogation of Article 370 and 33 per cent reservation for women in parliament. The high-security arrangements present around the area due to the PM's rally add to the intense atmosphere of the event.
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray announced at the party's annual public rally that they will extend unconditional support to the ruling alliance for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Thackeray stated that their main goal is to ensure Narendra Modi is re-elected as the Prime Minister for a third term. Additionally, he criticized the media and addressed speculations about his meeting with Amit Shah and joining the Shiv Sena, stating that he will remain the president of MNS. The PUC 2 exam results for Karnataka will also be announced on April 10.
With the MNS' potential alliance with BJP hanging in the balance, party chief Raj Thackeray made his second visit to the capital in a week, sparking rumors of a pre-poll tie-up. Sources state that Thackeray will meet with the BJP's top brass, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, to discuss potential collaborations. While the MNS' vote-base in major Maharashtra cities could prove beneficial for the BJP, Thackeray has yet to make any public announcements about his plans.