Maharashtra Navnirman Sena - Foundation

Foundation

The party was founded by Raj Thackeray, nephew of Shiv Sena leader Bal Thackeray. Raj Thackeray resigned from his uncle's party in January 2006 and announced his intention to start a new political party. The reason given by him for breaking away from the Shiv Sena was that the latter was "run by petty clerks" because of which it had "fallen from its former glory". Also Mr. Thackeray had a clear motive of building a political awareness for the development related issues of the state and giving them a center stage in national politics. The agenda is getting an immense support and sympathies of the state youth.

At the time of the party's foundation, Raj Thackeray stated that he does not want to have hostilities with his uncle who "was, is and always will be (his) mentor".

Although the MNS is a break-away group from the Shiv Sena, the party is still based on Marathi and Bhumiputra ideologies. When unveiling the party in an assembly at Shivaji Park he said, that everyone is anxious to see what will happen to Hindutva. When unveiling, he also said, "I shall elaborate on the party's stance on issues like Sons Of Soil and Marathi, its agenda for development of Maharashtra and the significance of the party flag colours at the March 19 public meeting." MNS Got 13 seats in Vidhan Sabha. Raj's birthday is celebrated as Maharashtra's "Son Of Soil" day. and Raj is proud to carry that label. Raj Thackeray considers himself an Indian nationalist (not just a regionalist) and claims that the Congress is two-faced. The party also recognizes secularism as one of its core tenets.