MNS names candidates — with marks!

The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) on Sunday announced the party’s first list of candidates for the 10 municipal corporation elections on February 16 — along with the marks they scored in the internal party examination mandatory for all aspirants.

MNS chief Raj Thackeray declared the names of 208 (out of 227 seats) candidates for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), 138 (out of total 152) for Pune, 115 (out of 130) in Thane and all the 122 seats in Nashik.

The exam followed a personal interview MNS chief Raj Thackeray held with each applicant.

“It has been a stupendous task. I was not waiting for other parties to release their lists. As mentioned earlier, I have given priority to party office bearers. Those who could not be accommodated, I apologise to them with folded hands,” Thackeray said.

The candidates' list had been postponed twice earlier. He attributed the delay to ensure that injustice was not meted out to any suitable aspirants for party ticket.

Asked who he would target during the poll campaign, he said that his aim was only to control the BMC and ensure that the next mayor is from MNS.

Commenting on the trend of giving ticket on the basis of caste, Thackeray said: “Why cannot we view the candidates as human beings or Maharashtrians instead of emphasising their caste?”