Raj warms up towards BJP, fuels speculations

A remark by Maharashtra Navnriman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray advocating Narendra Modi's candidature for Prime Minstership, has fuelled speculations on a possible understanding between his party and BJP in the coming assembly elections in Maharashtra.

Thackeray who gave a talk on "Maharashtra of my dream" at the industrial township of Nigdi near here on Sunday praised Modi's efforts that contributed to development of Gujarat and said the country needed a man like him for the top executive job to ensure rapid progress.

The MNS leader also had good words for BJP state unit president Nitin Gadkari, who he said was capable of taking Maharashtra forward on path of development.

Gadkari, however, sought to downplay Thackeray's remarks when he told a Marathi television channel today that BJP's alliance with Shiv Sena was "strong and intact".

While thanking Raj Thackeray for his comments on him , Gadkari said, "I am not in the race for Chief Ministership in the state," adding that in the event of the Sena-BJP alliance getting majority in the assembly poll, the issue would be decided by the Sena chief Bal Thackeray and BJP leader L K Advani.

Thackeray's warm posture towards BJP is being seen in the context of the hard struggle and bargaining that was witnessed between Shiv Sena and BJP-- the two-decade-old allies in the state-- before the two parties arrived at an electoral seat adjustment for the present Lok Sabha poll in Maharashtra.

A bitter exchange of words between Shiv Sena and BJP leaders prior to seat adjustment had even given rise to a speculation that Shiv Sena could part ways with BJP and join hands with NCP.

The Sena's open support to NCP president Sharad Pawar as 'Marathi' Prime Ministerial candidate too drove a further wedge between the Saffron allies with BJP accusing the Sena of going against the NDA of which it is a constituent.

The MNS which contested a limited number of Lok Sabha seats on its own, is expected to try hard to expand its base in the state in the assembly elections by the year end.