Shiv Sena's faction to go solo in civic polls

Aurangabad, Dec 19 (UNI) The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), a breakaway faction of Shiv Sena headed by its supremo's nephew Raj Thackeray, will contest the coming municipal corporation elections in Mumbai, Thane and other places on its own.

The elections are scheduled to be held on February 1.

Stating this during an interacion with the media here today, he said his party would also go solo in the coming Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad elections to assess his party's strength.

Mr Thackeray, who earlier addressed a meeting of the party activists from the Marathwada region, denied he was planning to reach a pre-poll understanding with any other party.

He criticised Left parties for opposing special economic zones (SEZs) in Maharashtra but favouring it in the states ruled by them.

He said his party would stay away from opposing or supporting Valentine's Day, adding '' Youth's sentiments should be respected.... Mindless opposition to their celebrations hurts them.'' UNI XR OBB SA YA KP1939