Buoyed by Narendra Modi's hat-trick in Gujarat, the saffron Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party alliance in Maharashtra plans to exploit the NaMo factor during ensuing parliamentary and state assembly elections slated for 2014. Sena-BJP alliance, which is out of power since the 1999 assembly elections in the state, proposes to project Narendra Modi as the star campaigner as they are convinced he has ability and all the necessary leadership qualities to fill up vaccum created due to the death of Shiv Sena Pramukh Bal Thackeray.
Simultaneously, a section of both the parties believe that Raj Thackeray led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena can be convinced to join the Sena-BJP-Republican Party of India alliance to forge "Maha Yuti" (grand alliance) to avoid division of votes and properly encash the anti incumbency of Congress-NCP government's three term rule in the state. Insiders in Sena and BJP argue that Modi may play a crucial role to rope in Raj in the Maha Yuti due to the respect and love they share with each other.
Shiv Sena group leader in the state assembly Subhash Desai told Business Standard "Our party will certainly like Narendra Modi to campaign for the Sena-BJP-RPI alliance in the state and we will make a formal request to him. I must tell you that Balasaheb used to openly admire Narendra Modi for his aggressive style of functioning and his consistent views on Hindutva." He recalled that during one of the meetings Balasaheb had termed himself as Maharashtra's Tiger and named Narendra Modi as Gujarat's lion. "Balasaheb had predicted that both can do wonders in the politics," Desai noted.
Desai said that Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray has already announced that the party would go whole hog to materialise Balasaheb's dream to hurl saffron flag atop Mantralaya (state secretariat) in 2014 assembly elections.
On the other hand, Vinod Tawade, BJP leader and leader of opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Council said with Narendra Modi would certainly play a crucial role in BJP's national campaign during 2014 elections. "Narendra Modi led BJP government's victory for the third consecutive term has raised hopes of party workers in the state. We expect Narendrabhai to be one of the star campaigners in Maharashtra. Voters have wholeheartedly voted for his work and his resolve to take Gujarat state's growth to a new high. We will work out a comprehensive plan for Narendrabhai's meetings." He informed that BJP, which as 47 members in the state assembly, is in the midst of finalising its election strategy to increase its tally to at least 75 seats in 2014 elections.
"Our leader Gopinath Munde has been given a major responsibility. We are currently working out constituency wise issues and various sections need to be brought to the party fold. We will make all efforts to defeat the Congress-NCP alliance," Tawade said.
On Raj Thackeray led MNS joining Sena-BJP-RPI alliance, Tawade admitted that the BJP national president Nitin Gadkari, Munde and himself strongly feel that this would help to forge a formidable alliance to take on Congress-NCP.
However, Shiv Sena leader, who did not want to be identified, said that Uddhav Thackeray would have a final say on roping in Raj Thackeray.