Raj Thackeray's MNS is betting on a strong showing in Maharashtra civic polls to remain relevant. (File)
Looking to improve its chances in the coming civic polls in Maharashtra - including elections for the prestigious Mumbai Municipal Corporation - the Raj Thackeray led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena is looking for issues that will resonate with people, according to political analysts.
The MNS is buoyed by the success of its campaign to ban Pakistani artistes in recent days, and will likely raise popular issues such as the pothole-ridden roads to target urban voters. However the party has refused criticism that it's choosing issues based on political calculations.
"We have raised the potholes several times in the past. Recently we filed complaints against engineers of the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai. Our corporators Sandeep Deshpande and Manish Dhuri were arrested and sent to jail for this cause, and they did not apply for bail despite being eligible for it," said MNS vice-president Vageesh Saraswat.
Recent delimitation of wards in Mumbai is expected to adversely affect the MNS in the coming polls. To counter it the party has made changes in work allotment to party leaders. Mr Thackeray is personally supervising selection of office bearers.
"In Mumbai, we have put one leader each in charge of two assembly segments. Inefficient office bearers have been replaced," explained Mr Saraswat.
The MNS has so far not ruled out joining in any alliance to bolster its chances.
"We will contest elections on our own. If there is an offer for alliance, we are open to it," Mr Saraswat said.
Currently the MNS has 27 corporators, however its recent poor outing in the assembly polls in 2014 have rung alarm bells in its cadre. The MNS came up behind the BJP, Shiv Sena, Congress and the NCP. For it to remain in the reckoning, it will have to put up a strong show in civic polls in Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Nashik and Nagpur next year.
The MNS is contesting all seats in the Mumbai civic polls.