Maharashtra: BJP looks at Raj’s MNS, Shiv Sena upset?

Mumbai: The Bharatiya Janata Party is looking to rope in Raj Thackeray’s MNS in Maharasthra, in an attempt to keep all anti-Congress votes in its kitty.

Party leaders fear this chunk may get divided between the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance and the MNS.

It is learnt the Shiv Sena is not happy as its chief Udhhav Thackeray has a strained relationship with cousin Raj.

Former BJP president Nitin Gadkari has asked MNS president Raj Thackeray not to field candidates in the Lok Sabha elections, it is learnt.

Reportedly, Gadkari has appealed to MNS chief not to contest the Lok Sabha polls to ensure that the anti-Congress vote remains undivided.

There were reports that the two had met in a hotel and speculation is the BJP is looking at Raj for an alliance.

Meanwhile, Gadkari has said, “Yes, I had lunch with Raj Thackeray. I have offered him a proposal… He should not work at cross-purposes with the BJP-led grand alliance in Maharashtra. We do not want him to field candidates against us because it is bound to split the Sena-BJP votes and this will be detrimental to the electoral fortunes of the National Democratic Alliance at the Centre.”

However, it has not been revealed that what has been offered to MNS chief in return.

Gadkari told reporters, “The talks are at an initial stage. We want him as our partner. The details and formulae can be worked out accordingly. Once things move ahead, Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray will be taken into confidence before a firm commitment is made to the MNS.”

In the 2009 general elections, MNS contested 12 seats, which led to a vote-split, and the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance had lost in nine constituencies.