E-Paper
MNS may lose state party status, symbol
The MNS, a nine-year-old party led by Raj Thackeray, is likely to lose its state party status after its performance in the Assembly elections fell below the criterion required for the status. The party cannot keep its poll symbol either.
The MNS, a nine-year-old party led by Raj Thackeray, is likely to lose its state party status after its performance in the Assembly elections fell below the criterion required for the status. The party cannot keep its poll symbol either.
The MNS won only one seat with the total vote share of 3.1% in the state. To retain the status of a recognised state party, any political outfit needs to secure at least two seats and a total vote share of 6%.
The Election Commission of India is likely to initiate action to cancel the status soon.
“Losing the state party status results in a loss of other frills such as the issuance of a symbol, office space in the Capital and an invitation to all major EC meetings. If the MNS loses its status, it will also lose the privilege of reserved election symbol. It will have to compete with other registered parties for the stipulated symbol,” said an EC officer.
The NCP is also on the verge of losing its national party status after its dismal performance in the Lok Sabha election. The NCP, however, may retain its symbol because it still remains a state party.
“When the NCP got a notice after its performance in the Lok Sabha elections, it had asked for more time and claimed its performance will improve in the Assembly elections. The MNS will not have any such option as the Lok Sabha and the assembly elections are now five years away,” he added.
In a late-night development, party general secretary Pravin Darekar resigned from his post, citing moral responsibility for the party’s defeat. Darekar lost the polls miserably, despite being the sitting MLA from Magathane.
