Traditional supporters of the Shiv Sena, who had switched loyalties to the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) in Thane during this year's Lok Sabha elections seem to have fallen silent this time around.

During the LS polls, they had turned vocal critics of the Sena for propping up a “candidate with a criminal background.” The MNS has once again fielded Rajan Raje in Thane City, the candidate for the Lok Sabha polls from Thane Lok Sabha constituency. It is believed that due to the rebellion by Sena supporters in Thane and Raje’s clean image, MNS had bagged one lakh odd votes.

His Sena rival in the Lok Sabha poll was Vijay Chowghule and his nomination had led to an outcry mainly from MNS supporters who alleged he had a criminal background.

This time, the clean image of the MNS has also got a beating as a candidate with “a criminal background” has been fielded by MNS from Ovla-Majiwada.

This Assembly polls, Sena has fielded some veterans thereby stemming the rebellion. The Sena has fielded Rajan Vichare from Thane city, a veteran Sena leader and former mayor of Thane.

Thane is one of the few places in Maharashtra which has not witnessed any rebel within the Shiv Sena ranks this time round.

“In the last elections the discontentment was also aggravated by the Sena local leaders who felt neglected after the ticket was given to Chowghule,” said a party leader.

In the Lok Sabha elections, many traditional Sena supporters had aired their intentions much before the polls that they would cast their votes for MNS candidate Raje.

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