Raj Thackeray

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray has lost relevance and is not needed by the ruling Mahayuti, Union minister Ramdas Athawale said on Sunday. The MNS failed to win a single seat in the November 20 Maharashtra assembly polls, which were swept by the Mahayuti, the losers including the party chief's son Amit Thackeray from Mumbai's Mahim constituency. "Raj Thackeray thought power could not come without him. His dreams have been shattered. With me in the alliance, there is no place for Raj Thackeray. He changes his strategies and the colour of his party flag. It reflects his diminishing relevance," said Athawale, whose Republican Party of India (A) has been with the BJP-led NDA for over a decade. Speaking to reporters in Nashik, the Union minister of state for social justice and empowerment also expressed confidence that his party will get representation in the Devendra Fadnavis government. Slamming the Maha Vikas Aghadi for blaming EVM "misuse" for the crushing defeat in

Only the estranged Thackeray cousins- Uddhav and Raj- can decide if they want to join hands, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve said on Saturday. Danve said Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray's political position is ambiguous and people cannot understand whether he is supporting the state government or opposing it. "After every poll defeat, there are such talks (that the Thackeray cousins should come together). You will find these discussions every 8-10 days after an election verdict is out. Only they (the Thackeray cousins) can decide if they want to (come together). We have no role," the Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council told reporters. The Uddhav camp loyalist added that Raj Thackeray's political stand is unclear. "People don't understand whether Raj Thackeray's stand is in the favour of the government or against it. MNS fielded candidates against the Mahayuti, while on the other hand, he (Raj Thackeray) batted for (BJP's Devendra) Fadnavis

The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) is at risk of losing its status as a recognised political party and its railway engine poll symbol after its dismal performance in the recently concluded state assembly election, where it failed to win even one seat. In the elections swept by the Mahayuti, none of the 125 candidates fielded by the Raj Thackeray-led party, including his son Amit Thackeray, could strike gold. In an informal interaction with the media, former Maharashtra legislature secretary Anant Kalse explained the Election Commission of India's criteria for a political party to retain its recognition and reserved election symbol. "To maintain recognition, a party must either win at least one seat and secure 8 per cent of the total vote share, or win two seats with 6 per cent votes, or win three seats with 3 per cent votes. The election commission can revoke the party's recognition if none of these conditions are met," Kalse said. The MNS managed to secure only 1.8 per cent of

Maharashtra Assembly elections: Mahayuti coalition leads in 229 seats, while Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance leads in 53 seats and others in six Assembly constituencies

Maharashtra Assembly elections: Mahayuti coalition leads in 219 seats, while Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leads in 55 seats and others in 14

Maharashtra went to polls on November 20 to elect representatives for its 288 seats, with spotlights on sons, daughters, nephews, and cousins of some prominent political dynasties vying for power

Amid parties accusing rivals of promoting dynastic politics, the November 20 Maharashtra assembly polls will see brothers, cousins and father-children in the fray, with members of the same family taking on each other in some seats. In one constituency, the battle is between husband and wife, while another seat has an uncle and nephew pitted against each other. In the high stakes battle of Pawars, debutant Yugendra Pawar, the candidate of the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP), will take on his uncle and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, representing the NCP, in Baramati seat. Ajit Pawar has won the Baramati assembly poll seven times and also once bagged the Baramati parliamentary seat. This is the second time that Baramati, the bastion of Pawars, will see a contest within the family. In the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the deputy CM's wife Sunetra Pawar was defeated by his cousin and NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule in the Baramati parliamentary seat. In the neighbouring Karjat-Jamkhed, Rohit Pawar,

Raut highlighted the stark contrast between Thackeray's past opposition to BJP leaders and his current alignment with them, raising questions about his motives as elections approach

Amid the news that Pakistani movie 'The Legend of Maula Jatt' starring Fawad Khan will release in India, MNS Cinema Wing President Ameya Khopkar has threatened theatre owners against screening it

Addressing a press conference, Thackeray further claimed the outfits led by Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar will not get these anti-incumbency votes in the assembly polls

MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande on Wednesday said there was no order for them from party chief Raj Thackeray to vote for any particular party in the polls underway on Wednesday for four seats of the Maharashtra legislative council. Notably, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) supported the ruling Mahayuti in the state, comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and the NCP headed by Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, in the recently-concluded Lok Sabha elections. Polling was being held on Wednesday in the Mumbai Graduates, Mumbai Teachers, Nashik Teachers and Konkan Graduates constituencies of the state legislative council, as the terms of their sitting members are expiring in July. In the Konkan Graduates constituency, there is a direct fight between sitting BJP MLC Niranjan Davkhare and Congress candidate Ramesh Keer. Last month, the MNS fielded filmmaker Abhijit Panse from the Konkan Graduates seat but he later withdrew from the fray. Asked about the MNS stand for the M

The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena supported the Mahayuti in the Lok Sabha elections, has decided to go it alone for the upcoming legislative council polls for the Konkan Graduates Constituency, as the issues are state-related, a party leader said on Tuesday. The MNS on Monday announced the candidature of film director Abhijit Panse from the Konkan Graduates' constituency for the legislative council elections scheduled on June 26. The constituency is currently represented by the BJP's Niranjan Davkhare. Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, MNS chief Raj Thackeray had declared unconditional support to the ruling 'Mahayuti' alliance of the BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP in Maharashtra. Addressing a press conference, the MNS's Palghar and Thane unit chief Avinash Jadhav said, "The support MNS gave to the Mahayuti in the Lok Sabha polls was to see Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister again. Now, this is the election for the state council, where the issues are local and related to the state. Hence, the par

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray will share the stage with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Shivaji Park

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Wednesday took a dig at MNS chief Raj Thackeray, saying doubt arises in the minds of people when an outfit formed to safeguard the pride of Maharashtra backs its "enemies". Raut's comments come a day after Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Thackeray announced unconditional support to the ruling 'Mahayuti' alliance of the BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP in the state and backed Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The MNS leader did not elaborate whether his party, which has not fielded any candidate so far, will contest the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Speaking to reporters here on Wednesday, Raut said his party is fighting for Maharashtra's pride. He alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has taken in its fold "all corrupt persons". "Businesses are driven away from Maharashtra, attempts are being made to break and cripple Mumbai. In such circumstances, if a party formed for Maharashtra pride backs enemies of Maharashtra, then a doubt arises in th

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday thanked MNS president Raj Thackeray for extending unconditional support to the ruling 'Mahayuti' alliance of the BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP and backing Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Taking a jibe at his rival and former CM Uddhav Thackeray without mentioning his name, Shinde said those counting 'rokad' (money) while sitting at home during COVID-19 have no right to criticise Modi. Shinde, speaking with the media at the Nagpur airport, thanked Raj Thackeray for supporting the ruling 'Mahayuti' (grand alliance). Addressing his party's annual rally in Mumbai on Gudi Padwa (traditional Maharashtra New Year that symbolises fresh beginnings, auspiciousness), Raj Thackeray announced unconditional support to the 'Mahayuti' alliance and backed PM Modi. Asked whether Mahayuti will give Lok Sabha seats to the MNS to contest, Shinde said the Raj Thackeray-led outfit has not put any conditions for supporting the three-party alliance. The MNS ...

The Mahayuti alliance currently has three constituents, the BJP, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray on Saturday said the politics of the state had turned into a mess and it was time people brought about a change. Speaking to reporters during a visit to Kalyan as part of his statewide tour ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, the MNS chief also said meeting leaders from other parties did not mean alliances were being struck. There was speculation recently of the MNS joining the National Democratic Alliance after Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar met Thackeray in the latter's Shivaji Park home. The current political scenario in the state was like "chikkal" (wet, slippery mud) with party lines blurring and people must ensure politicians are held accountable for their deeds, Thackeray said. He also questioned the reliability of electronic voting machines and said polls must be held through ballot papers. Speaking about the Maratha quota issue, the MNS leader said the focus now was on caste-based politics rather than issues like drought, unemploym

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray on Monday asked teachers to refuse election duty since it adversely affects students. Speaking to reporters here, he said a delegation of teachers from Shardashram School had met him and drawn his attention to the order of the Election Commission of India asking them to report for poll duty. "I asked them and others to not take up poll duty at the cost of teaching. Who will teach the students (during this time)? The ECI is not conducting polls for the first time. Why can't it come with its own system and machinery for polls," he said. He said the ECI should face action for pressuring teachers into taking up poll duty by warning them of disciplinary action. "Teachers should not take up poll duty. I will see if the Election Commission takes action against you," he asserted.

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Monday warned the state government that his party workers will set fire to toll booths in the state if they are stopped from ensuring that small vehicles are exempted from paying toll charges. Speaking to reporters here, Thackeray alleged toll collection in Maharashtra is the biggest scam in the history of the state. I have sought an appointment with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in the next couple of days. Will see what comes out of that meeting, otherwise, keeping the deputy chief minister's (Devendra Fadnavis) statement in mind, MNS workers will gather at every toll booth and ensure that four, three and two-wheelers are not charged tolls. If we are stopped, we will set it ablaze, Thackeray said. Thackeray was referring to Fadnavis' statement on Sunday in which he said small vehicles are exempted from paying tolls. All political parties have come to power in the state in the last few years, but, none of them implemented their

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Sunday said he would meet Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to discuss the issue of toll hike against which his party workers have been protesting. Thackeray spoke to reporters in Thane after meeting party leader Avinash Jadhav who has been on a hunger strike for the last four days to protest the toll hike that came into effect on October 1. The MNS chief said he would meet the chief minister in the next couple of days and discuss the toll hike and other issues faced by the people of the state. The previous Shiv Sena-BJP alliance in its election manifesto had promised to make Maharashtra free of toll, but the promise was not kept, he said. Thackeray further claimed that Shinde had in the past filed a petition in court regarding toll and later withdrew it and questioned on whose instruction he had taken the plea back. The MNS leader urged the citizens to retaliate and revolt to make the government realise its mistakes. The ruling