Mumbai: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) faced a double blow in the assembly elections, losing its lone MLA and witnessing party chief Raj Thackeray‘s son, Amit, suffer a defeat in Mahim. Despite its dismal performance, MNS played spoiler in several key constituencies, splitting the Marathi vote and impacting Shiv Sena (UBT)’s prospects against BJP.
Despite polling less than 2% of the total state votes, MNS showed some strength in Mumbai, where it garnered approximately 14% of the vote share. Its strongest showing was in Shivadi, where Bala Nandgaonkar finished second, losing to Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Ajay Choudhary by 7,140 votes. Elsewhere, Amit Thackeray placed third in Mahim, and MNS candidates Sandeep Deshpande (Worli) and Nayan Kadam (Magathane) failed to make an impact.
In constituencies, MNS played spoiler. In Ghatkopar West, Ganesh Chukkal’s 25,862 votes (15.46%) dented Sena (UBT) candidate Sanjay Bhalerao’s chances, paving the way for BJP’s sitting MLA Ram Kadam to win by 12,971 votes. In Anushakti Nagar, MNS’s Navin Acharya secured 28,362 votes (19.42%), potentially swaying Marathi voters and enabling NCP candidate Sana Malik to narrowly defeat NCP (SP) candidate Fahad Ahmad by 3,378 votes.
Ironically. in Worli, where three Senas (Shiv Sena, Shiv Sena-UBT, and MNS) competed, MNS aided Aaditya Thackeray’s narrow victory by dividing opposition votes.
Founded in 2006, the MNS’s railway engine symbol is now at risk as the party struggles to meet Election Commission recognition criteria — 6% of valid votes and two elected MLAs or 3% of seats. With no MLAs and declining relevance, Raj Thackeray faces an uphill battle to keep his party on track while reckoning with its role as a spoiler in Maharashtra’s political arena.
