Maharashtra's NSP and MNS to Contest Elections Independently

Mahadev Jankar, president of the Rashtriya Samaj Party (RSP), has announced his exit from the ruling Mahayuti alliance and plans to contest all 288 seats independently in the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections. His departure is attributed to dissatisfaction with seat allocation, as he sought over 40 assembly seats which were denied. Jankar highlighted the unrest within the Dhangar community regarding their reservation status, with the community potentially influencing around 35 constituencies. This move follows a history of Jankar's alignment with Mahayuti, despite previous electoral defeats, and reflects a shift towards establishing the RSP as a significant political force. Meanwhile, MNS leader Raj Thackeray also declared his party would contest independently, asserting MNS would seek the highest number of seats. The elections are scheduled for November 20, with results to be announced on November 23.