BJP tries to reach out to MNS

 

New Delhi: The BJP’s top brass wants to keep Raj Thackeray in good humour as the saffron party is trying to reach an understanding with Mr Thackeray’s MNS over some key Lok Sabha seats to ensure that there is no division of votes. BJP poll managers are of the view that they cannot remain passive to the MNS despite strong opposition from its ally Shiv Sena, which shares its core cadre with the MNS. 

The Shiv Sena’s Uddhav Thackeray has made it clear to the BJP top brass, that any attempt for an alliance with the MNS will only upset the Sena cadre. There are 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra. The BJP-Shiv Sena combine had won 20 seats in the last LS polls. The MNS had damaged the BJP-Shiv Sena combine’s prospects in around 11 seats. The BJP is not taking any chances and is trying to work out an “unofficial” poll strategy with the MNS.