Following the informal confirmation of a tie-up between the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and the BJP, experts and insiders within the state's ruling alliance have raised concerns about the potential benefits of this move.
The BJP leadership is particularly cautious about the reaction of North Indian voters, who harbour scepticism towards the MNS.
MNS chief Raj Thackeray reportedly met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday, where they purportedly agreed to join forces within the ruling alliance. It is anticipated that the MNS will contest the Mumbai South Lok Sabha constituency and may also vie for the Shirdi seat.
However, several leaders within the state BJP unit have expressed reservations about incorporating the MNS into the fold.
A senior Mumbai BJP leader highlighted that if the MNS had contested the elections independently, it could have led to a division of Marathi votes, ultimately benefiting the ruling alliance.
However, concerns persist regarding the transfer of Marathi votes to the BJP due to Raj Thackeray's past and his anti-North Indian image, which could potentially disrupt the BJP's traditional voter base.
Moreover, the declining vote share of the MNS over the past 15 years, coupled with Raj's inconsistent political stance, has raised doubts about the party's electoral impact. Despite winning 13 seats in the 2009 assembly polls, the MNS's vote share has steadily decreased in subsequent elections, indicating a waning influence.
Nevertheless, some BJP leaders remain optimistic about the addition of MNS votes to the alliance, citing the party's significant presence in Mumbai and urban constituencies. They emphasize that the MNS shares the Hindutva ideology espoused by the BJP, making their collaboration beneficial for the alliance's vision and mission.
In light of these developments, the MNS's alignment with the BJP is viewed by some as a strategic move to counter the narrative propagated by the Uddhav Thackeray camp, which portrays the BJP as "anti-Maharashtra."
Overall, while uncertainties linger regarding the impact of the MNS-BJP alliance, both parties are gearing up for the electoral challenges ahead as they navigate the complexities of Maharashtra's political landscape.
