Maharashtra Navnirman Sena

Raj Thackeray has lost relevance, Mahayuti does not need him: Athawale

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

MNS at risk of losing recognition after drawing blank in Maharashtra polls

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

On Fawad Khan's movie, MNS leader's open dare: 'Theatre owners know…'

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

MVA got anti-BJP votes in LS polls, no rise in support base: MNS chief

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 going alone in Maha council polls as issues state-related: Leader

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

Refuse poll duty as students get affected: MNS chief to teachers, slams ECI

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.

MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande attacked with stump during morning walk

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Sandeep Deshpande was injured after being attacked with a stump by three unidentified persons while he was on a morning walk in central Mumbai's Dadar area on Friday morning, a police official said. Deshpande received minor injuries in the incident and is out of danger, he said. "Three unidentified persons attacked MNS leader Deshpande with a stump during his morning walk at Shivaji Park," the official said, adding that nobody has been arrested in this connection so far. A first information report (FIR) is being registered at the Shivaji Park police station, he said.

Raj Thackeray backs Nupur Sharma over remarks against Prophet Mohammad

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Tuesday supported suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma over her remarks against Prophet Mohammad. Controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik had said the same thing earlier but no one asked him to apologise, Thackeray said while addressing a meeting of MNS functionaries here. Nobody asked Naik for an apology, the MNS chief said. Thackeray also slammed the Owaisi brothers (AIMIM leaders) for allegedly ridiculing the names of Hindu gods. No action has been taken against them, he said, using an abusive term while referring to them. The MNS chief also taunted his estranged cousin and former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray over the latter's claim that the BJP reneged on the promise of rotating the CM's post after the 2019 Assembly elections in Maharashtra. When I was in Shiv Sena, Balasaheb (Thackeray) had decided that the party having more MLAs will have the CM post, he said. Also, during the election campaign, PM Narendra Mod

Shinde speaks to MNS chief Raj Thackeray about recent political situation

As the political turmoil in Maharashtra continues to unfold, rebel Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shide spoke to MNS chief Raj Thackeray about the recent political situation in the state

Loudspeaker row: Hundreds of MNS workers detained in parts of Maharashtra

In Pune and neighbouring Pimpri Chinchwad, 200 Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers and party functionaries were detained, while 12 party activists were arrested in Thane

Maha: Jilted AIMIM says 'katti' to Raj Thackeray for 'iftar' rebuff!

An irked All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) on Tuesday said it has cut off relations with Maharashtra Navnirman Sena President Raj Thackeray after he rebuffed its offer to join the 'Iftar'

Action sought against illegal loudspeakers installed at religious places

HJS, a right wing organisation, has demanded compliance of the Bombay High Court's ruling given in 2016, in which it had directed removal of illegal loudspeakers installed at religious places

Migrants responsible for spread of Covid in Maharashtra: Raj Thackeray

MNS chief Raj Thackeray said migrant workers from other states were responsible for the rapid spread of coronavirus in Maharashtra, which has been reporting a large number of new infections

Ram Temple issue: MNS hits out at Uddhav Thackeray, poses 10 questions

An MNS spokesperson Saturday asked if construction of a Ram Temple in Ayodhya would solve the issues plaguing the common man