As Maharashtra’s assembly election is slated in October this year, Raj wants to make his own third front with the help of state satraps with an aim to hurt political prospects of NDA and UPA as well.
The MNS chief has already completed first round of talks with his counterpart of the Peasants' and Workers' Party (PWP), which has a strong presence in the coastal region of Konkan and has four MLAs in the Maharashtra assembly.
He has also cosied up with Jan Surajya Party (JSP), which has a good influence in various parts of Western Maharashtra having two MLAs, and a member of legislative council in Nasik, Apoorva Hiray.
These small parties are not in a position to field candidates in the Lok Sabha elections, but if they offer support to MNS’ candidates then it could be a hammer-blow to the prospects of both UPA and NDA.
Raj is likely to declare the names of few Lok Sabha candidates from his party on March 9 at the foundation day of MNS. All these MNS candidates would be those who had garnered more than 1.25 lakh votes in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections.
If the MNS succeeds in its mission, it will prove big hurdle for national parties in the assembly elections.
In the 2009 Assembly elections, MNS had fought on 143 out of 288 seats in Maharashtra, winning 13 seats and was successful in stopping BJP-Shiv Sena coalition to form government.
(JPN/Bureau)
