The Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) will not contest the upcoming 2019 general elections, the party said in a statement on Sunday, 17 March.

According to a leading Maharashtra daily Loksatta, Thackeray will hold a meeting with MNS leaders and workers on 19 March to brief them over the party’s decision. However, speculations are rife that the party will provide external support to the Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in the state.