MNS all set to lend support to Shiv Sena in Aurangabad

After Thane, the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) is all set to lend support to its rival – the Shiv Sena – to help it come to power in the Aurangabad Zilla Parishad.

After Thane, the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) is all set to lend support to its rival – the Shiv Sena – to help it come to power in the Aurangabad Zilla Parishad.

HT Image

The MNS, which has eight seats in its kitty, has now decided to help the Sena come to power in the 60-seat Zilla Parishad.

According to a senior MNS leader, the deal has almost been worked out. “We have an arrangement where the Sena will support us in Nashik in exchange for our support in both the local bodies,” said the leader who refused to be named.

Local Sena MP Chandrakant Khaire who led the Sena campaign said he was confident of the saffron alliance regaining power. “We will be in power in any situation,” said Khaire.

“As far as seeking MNS’ support is concerned, we have still not decided how to go about it,” Khaire said.

Currently the Congress-NCP leads by 26 seats and is trailed by the saffron alliance with 23. The three independents who are elected seem inclined towards the Congress-NCP.

The MNS holds the key with 8 members and going by the Thane pattern, Sena appears confident.

At Nashik, the MNS, despite gaining 40 seats, can bag mayorship only with the help of the Sena-BJP combine as it falls short by 22.

MNS chief Raj Thackeray on Friday indirectly indicated that a deal had been worked out.

“The mayor will be from MNS and I will see to it that it happens,” said Raj Thackeray.