MNS legislators abstain from Prez poll

Barring 12 Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) legislators and two absentees, all 274 state MLAs and nine MPs cast their votes in the Presidential polls on Thursday.

Barring 12 Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) legislators and two absentees, all 274 state MLAs and nine MPs cast their votes in the Presidential polls on Thursday. Though chief minister Prithviraj Chavan called on MNS chief Raj Thackeray a day before to enlist his support, the MNS decided to stay away from the polls.

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“Things may have been different if a call had been made from Delhi and the MNS chief was requested for support earlier. Under the current circumstances, we chose to abstain,’’ MNS legislator Bala Nandgaokar said.

The MNS’ decision to abstain came in for flak from both the Shiv Sena and the Congress. Sena MP Sanjay Raut expressed dismay that a political party would chose to stay away from the most important polls. “Ideally, one should take a stance and vote for the highest office,’’ he said.

However, senior Congress leader said that the MNS was not keen to vote as it did not want to side with either the Congress and Sena or the BJP in the polls to avoid any further speculation over a political realignment.

Of these 274 MLAs, only 48 MLAs including all BJP and one independent are expected to vote for PA Sangma.