<p>And the reason ? Maharashtra NavNirman Sena (MNS).<br /><br />Analysts attributed Congress’ stunning success, which came in the back of the worst ever terror attack on the city, to the presence of the MNS, which proved detrimental to both Shiv Sena and the BJP.<br /><br />Founded by the estranged Shiv Sena leader Raj Thackeray, the MNS polled about one lakh votes in each of the 10 constituencies it contested, eating into the traditional Marati vote bank of the BJP/Sena alliance. In fact, in Mumbai South, the immediate rival to the Congress was MNS candidate Bala Nandgaonkar, who finished second.<br /><br />The MNS was clearly a factor in the victories of Congress’ Milind Deora (Mumbai South), Eknath Gaikwad (Mumbai South Central), Priya Dutt (Mumbai North Central), Gurudas Kamat (Mumbai North West), Sanjay Nirupam (Mumbai North), as well as Sanjay Dina Patil of the NCP (Mumbai North East).<br /><br />BJP’s heavyweight Ram Naik was considered a sure winner from Mumbai North, while Kirit Somaiyya from Mumbai North East was also counting on his victory. <br /><br />Sena’s Gajanan Kirtikar from Mumbai North West was another hopeful, whereas Mohan Ravle (Mumbai South) was the sole Sena winner in the city in 2004.<br /><br />This time though, Nandgaonkar pushed Ravle to the third position in Mumbai South. In Mumbai North Central, Priya Dutt owes her huge margin to MNS’ Shilpa Sarpotdar, who tore away 1.31 lakh votes off BJP’s Mahesh Jethmalani.</p>
<p>And the reason ? Maharashtra NavNirman Sena (MNS).<br /><br />Analysts attributed Congress’ stunning success, which came in the back of the worst ever terror attack on the city, to the presence of the MNS, which proved detrimental to both Shiv Sena and the BJP.<br /><br />Founded by the estranged Shiv Sena leader Raj Thackeray, the MNS polled about one lakh votes in each of the 10 constituencies it contested, eating into the traditional Marati vote bank of the BJP/Sena alliance. In fact, in Mumbai South, the immediate rival to the Congress was MNS candidate Bala Nandgaonkar, who finished second.<br /><br />The MNS was clearly a factor in the victories of Congress’ Milind Deora (Mumbai South), Eknath Gaikwad (Mumbai South Central), Priya Dutt (Mumbai North Central), Gurudas Kamat (Mumbai North West), Sanjay Nirupam (Mumbai North), as well as Sanjay Dina Patil of the NCP (Mumbai North East).<br /><br />BJP’s heavyweight Ram Naik was considered a sure winner from Mumbai North, while Kirit Somaiyya from Mumbai North East was also counting on his victory. <br /><br />Sena’s Gajanan Kirtikar from Mumbai North West was another hopeful, whereas Mohan Ravle (Mumbai South) was the sole Sena winner in the city in 2004.<br /><br />This time though, Nandgaonkar pushed Ravle to the third position in Mumbai South. In Mumbai North Central, Priya Dutt owes her huge margin to MNS’ Shilpa Sarpotdar, who tore away 1.31 lakh votes off BJP’s Mahesh Jethmalani.</p>
