Raj bats for a six

MNS, which will contest only 200 seats out of 288 this Assembly elections, banks on its sole star campaigner to surpass a 6% vote share in the state

This Assembly election in October, the MNS is likely to contest only around 200 seats out of 288, as Raj Thackeray, who has consistently managed to keep the MNS in public eye, is the sole star campaigner for the party.

The party is confident it will surpass a six per cent vote share required to become a recognised political party of the state.

CONFIDENT: In this Assembly election, Raj Thackeray's MNS hopes to become a major player in state politics and even decide the next CM.

Public rallies

"There are limitations to the public rallies and meetings that Thackeray can address, therefore the number of seats where the party will field its candidates is likely to be around 200.
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If he addresses a public meeting in a particular assembly segment, candidates in several adjoining segments are expected to benefit," said a party office bearer.

With this election, the party hopes to become a major player in state politics and even decide the next chief minister, as Thackeray had claimed immediately after the results of the Lok Sabha elections.

"We may not contest all the 288 seats, but the total number of seats will be decided by the party by next week," said Nitin Sardesai, MNS spokesperson.

Vote share

Sardesai, however, refused to comment on the number of seats. He said, "In the LS elections, we contested 12 seats and got a four per cent vote share.

Where is the question of aiming for a six per cent vote share? We will easily surpass that number."