Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Narvnirman Sena has been recognised as a state party by the Election Commission. The party has been allotted a rail engine as poll symbol.
 
The Election Commission informed the Supreme Court of its decision to recognise the MNS as the party fullfilled requirements for recognition as a state party.
 
To be recognised, a party either needs 3 per cent of the total Assembly seats or 6 per cent votes of the total votes polled in the Assembly elections plus two MLAs.
 
The MNS has fulfilled the first criterion.
 
The MNS had appealed in Supreme Court to be given a poll symbol to contest municipal corporation and council elections in Maharashtra.