After putting on a poor show in the Lok Sabha election held six months ago, Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) failed again miserably, winning just one seat, Junnar, out of the 225 seats it contested, signifying its political demise.
MNS, which had emerged victorious in 13 seats in 2009 assembly polls.
MNS's nuisance value, which had triggered loss of Shiv Sena-BJP candidates in 66 assemblies last time, too was missing and the party lost all the 36 seats contested in Mumbai. Several of its key legislators Bala Nandgaokar (Sewri), Shishir Shinde (Bhandup), Pravin Darekar (Magathane), Nitin Sardesai (Mahim) and Mangesh Sangale (Vikhroli) lost. Worse, the Shiv Sena delivered a knockout blow by snatching Mahim, which falls within its bastion Dadar. The MNS enjoys strong support in the constituency with all the six corporators belonging to the party.
It also lost all three assembly segments it had won in 2009 in Nashik.
According to sources in the party, the MNS found itself exposed this election. "There was a difference between the promises we made and how of much of it was delivered. Weak party cadre was another reason that led to our collapse. Saheb (Raj) was also being perceived as arrogant, or the opposition parties successfully managed to portray him so," a party leader said.
According to party leaders, the party's failure to convey content of its much-touted blueprint to people of the state marred its prospect. The delay in unveiling the blueprint also went against the party.
"The worst thing that could happen was the hype around Shiv Sena-BJP and Congress-NCP snapping ties. On the same day, the blueprint was released. All the media glare was on the break-ups and the content of our development plan could not reach the wider public," the party leader said.
According to political observers, inconsistencies in Thackeray's stands, such as supporting prime minister Narendra Modi for Lok Sabha election and then targeting him during assembly polls, declaring that he would contest elections and then deciding against it, also sent confusing signals.
Raj Thackeray's decision to join hands with NCP in the Nashik Municipal Corporation polls also went against the party. "When Thackeray floated the party, people, especially youth, looked up to him as an alternative. He is a crowd-puller. But it seems his style of functioning is not suitable to that of a political party head. MNS secured power in Nashik corporation and won all three assembly seats there in 2009. But people did not get to see expected results. Plus, confusion among people over his stance on supporting Modi and contesting polls blighted prospects of MNS," said Prakash Akolkar, political editor of Sakal Media Group.
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