Maharashtra assembly elections: MNS likely to contest 120 seats in MMR, Pune, Marathwada

MUMBAI: The MNS led by Raj Thackeray, earlier reluctant to enter the polls, has tossed its hat in the ring and might field 120 candidates.
The party chief may take an active part in the election process and hold campaign rallies. The MNS is waiting for the Sena-BJP alliance and seat talks to get over as it thinks disgruntled politicians from these parties may knock on its doors.
The party is banking on its dedicated votes in the city, Thane, Kalyan-Dombivli, Pune, Nashik and some seats in Marathwada.
An MNS politician, requesting anonymity, said that after the party had decided to contest the assembly polls, several politicians from the Sena-BJP who were uncertain about getting tickets had approached it. "They are uncertain whether the constituency that they are seeking tickets for will remain with their party or may go to the alliance partner in the seat-sharing formula," the politician said.
MNS has started screening aspirants and may come up with its first list of candidates this week, said a party politician.