Thane Polls: MNS Goes All Marathi, BJP Diversifies with 5 Muslim Candidates

• MNS fields 100% Marathi candidates in Thane Municipal Corporation elections, emphasizing 'Asmita'.
• BJP nominates 5 Muslim candidates in Thane, alongside Marathi, North Indian, Gujarati, Punjabi, and South Indian candidates.
• Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) contests 87 seats in Thane, BJP 40; Shiv Sena UBT 53, MNS 34, NCP Sharad Pawar 36, Ajit Pawar's NCP 75.
• Candidate selection across Thane district, Kalyan-Dombivli, Bhiwandi, Ulhasnagar, and Mumbai shows varying Marathi and non-Marathi representation by parties.
• In Bhiwandi, BJP gives only one Muslim candidate ticket despite a large Muslim voter base, prioritizing Marathi, Jain, Gujarati, Marwari, and Telugu candidates.

Why It Matters: Parties in Thane elections balance Marathi identity with diverse candidate representation.