Setting standards is the way Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) Chief Raj Thackeray leads right from inception. In his latest bid he announced that the party shall hold examinations for party workers aspiring to contest the civic elections to be held early next year and gauge their level of understanding about the working of a municipal corporation. And the chances will be subsequent to the successful result. 

The Chief claimed that those aspiring to contest elections in these municipal corporations as MNS nominees will have to appear for the one- and-a half hour exam on December 4. Questions related to various aspects of the civic administration will be asked in the exam. Asserting that conventional methods of choosing candidates must change, Mr. Raj said people should know their nominees are capable and efficient.

Apart from Mumbai's Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the test will be conducted for civic bodies of other towns, including Thane, Pune, Nashik and Nagpur, due for polls early next year. The party has selected two colleges and a team of supervisors for the examinations.