Mumbai, Jan. 2 -- In a setback to the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), 11 of its office-bearers resigned on Friday and joined the BJP, citing frustration over the party's electoral alliance with the Shiv Sena (UBT) for the Mumbai civic polls.
BJP Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar welcomed the defectors, stating that MNS chief Raj Thackeray had entered an "ill-conceived alliance" with the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction. "This has upset dedicated MNS workers. Those who have joined the BJP will be given due respect in the party," Shelar said.
Local sources indicated the immediate trigger was ticket distribution in wards 97 and 98. The MNS awarded the ticket to Hetal Gala (Ward 97) and Deepti Kate (Ward 98), bypassing long-time loyalists...