Thane: Raj Thackeray-led MNS has announced
its unconditional support to the Shiv Sena-BJP combine in the
Thane Mayoral poll slated for this evening.
The announcement was made by MNS chief Raj Thackeray
at a press conference here this afternoon.
Raj said his party, which won seven seats in the last
month`s poll to Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC), stood for
the development of the city, a suburb of Mumbai.
The civic poll mandate was in favour of the Shiv Sena-
BJP alliance. Hence, MNS was extending support to the saffron
combine, he said.
Raj said three Sena MLAs from Thane met him yesterday
and sought his support in the Mayoral poll. The legislators
said this was desire of Sena chief Bal Thackeray too.
The Sena-BJP emerged as the largest bloc, winning 61
seats in the 130-member body, but it was short of a simple
majority (66) and needed the support of "others" to install
their candidate as Mayor.
Raj, estranged nephew of Bal Thackeray, left Shiv Sena
and floated his own party in 2006.
Sena Corporator Harishchandra Patil is the saffron
combine`s candidate for the Mayor`s post. He is being
challenged by Najib Mullah of NCP.
PTI
