Mumbai, Apr 11 : Several office-bearers of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) have resigned in protest following the party’s chief Raj Thackeray’s announcement of support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance in the state.
Kirtikumar Shinde, MNS general secretary among those who stepped down, voiced his decision on Facebook, highlighting Thackeray’s shift in stance. He emphasized that Thackeray had previously taken a stand against PM Modi and the BJP in 2019, making his recent declaration perplexing. Shinde’s post questioned the sudden change and its implications for party workers who stand by their beliefs.
In his annual Gudi Padwa rally, Thackeray extended unconditional support to PM Modi and the Mahayuti alliance, comprising the BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and the NCP under Ajit Pawar. This declaration marks a significant shift from MNS’s past stance, as the party had backed Modi’s candidature for the PM’s post in 2014 but turned into a vocal critic in 2019.
Mihir Davte and members of MNS’ student wing in Dombivali also resigned, citing Thackeray’s inconsistent positions. Davte explained their departure as a response to Thackeray’s alignment with PM Modi, expressing discontent over the shifting stances. He noted that disagreements over Thackeray’s decision had caused rifts among party workers, prompting their departure.
Thackeray’s announcement followed his meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah last month, reflecting a strategic move ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. With Maharashtra’s 48 Lok Sabha seats set for polling in five phases between April 19 and May 20, Thackeray’s support for PM Modi and the BJP-led alliance reshapes the political landscape in the state.
