Shiv Sena snubs Gadkari, says no place for MNS in alliance

Interview with Sanjay Raut, Shiv Sena leader

The saffron Shiv Sena is quite perturbed over BJP's former president Nitin Gadkari's meeting with Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray asking him not to enter into Lok Sabha elections to avoid division in anti Congress vote. In an exclusive interview with Sanjay Jog, Shiv Sena MP and spokesman Sanjay Raut clarified that as far as Shiv Sena is concerned MNS is no more an issue.

Is Shiv Sena hurt due to Nitin Gadkari's unilateral move to lure MNS chief Raj Thackeray ahead on ensuing Lok Sabha elections?
As far as Shiv Sena is concerned MNS is a not an issue. Shiv Sena and Bharatiya Janata Party along with Republican Party of India, Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana and Rashtriya Samaj Party have posed a formidable challenge to the ruling Congress and Nationalist Congress Party in Maharashtra. There is no further scope to rope in a new party or a partner in our alliance in the state at this juncture.

Gadkari admitted his meeting with Raj Thackeray with his offer not to field MNS nominees to avoid division in vote against Congress and thereby pave way for Modi to become Prime Minister. What is your comment?

It may be Gadkari's personal initiative. However, BJP has clarified that it is not the party's agenda. Gadkari has already clarified that any decision with regard to electoral arrangement with Raj Thackeray will be taken only after taking all alliance partners into confidence.

As far as Gadkari's meeting with Raj is concerned, political party leaders can meet leaders from various parties. There is no bar on it. Leaders from Maharashtra can even meet US President Barack Obama or the UK Prime Minister David Cameron.  

Therefore, let me reiterate that don't read too much into Gadkari's meeting with Raj. There is no further discussion on having pre or post alliance with Raj Thackeray in Maharashtra. As far as any truck with MNS is concerned, it does not arise.

How much Sena-BJP alliance is geared up to take on Congress-NCP combine in Maharashtra?
We are stepping up our efforts to mobilize support against Congress-NCP alliance in Maharashtra. We are quite confident to win 32 to 35 seats of the total 48 seats in Maharashtra. We will exploit the anti incumbency against ruling Congress-NCP government and also further expose them on the corruption issue.

Is Sena positive to include NCP chief Sharad Pawar into the BJP led NDA after general elections?
I do not see any such possibility. We are fighting elections against Congress and NCP and corruption has been one of the major electoral planks.