The Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) alliance with the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) in the Mumbai Lok Sabha polls is a calculated gamble, with potential implications for the party’s fortunes in the city. While the MNS led by Raj Thackeray brings a Marathi votebank, its past anti-north Indian stance creates apprehension among BJP cadres and voters. Political analysts point out the MNS’s inconsistent political allegiances, questioning the durability of its support for the BJP. The BJP’s strategy hinges on the belief that Thackeray’s oratorical skills and appeal to Marathi-speaking voters can counter the Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP’s campaigns. However, the MNS’s lack of a strong organizational base and its perceived shift away from its nativist roots could limit its impact, particularly in light of the polarizing rhetoric employed by the BJP leadership.
