Indicating that the BJP has not given up on attempts to include the Raj Thackeray-led MNS in its proposed rainbow coalition against the ruling Congress-NCP, BJP state president Devendra Fadnavis met Raj recently in what was described as a “courtesy call”.
Last month, the Shiv Sena had attacked BJP and RPI leaders for suggesting the inclusion of MNS, whose presence in the fray is attributed by them to their defeat in the 2009 polls, in their ‘Mahayuti’ to consolidate opposition votes. Ironically, Sena president Uddhav Thackeray had earlier called on estranged cousin Raj for a rapprochement. The visit came on a day when Nandini Parvekar (Congress) defeated Madan Yerawar (BJP) in the Yavatmal assembly by-polls.
Fadnavis, however, said the meeting at Raj’s residence was a “courtesy call” without a “political angle”. “We want to consolidate anti-government votes but… a decision on including a party in the alliance must be taken by the Sena, BJP and RPI together,” he said.
“There is little chance of Raj coming with us until after the Lok Sabha polls,” said a Sena leader, adding that this too depended on the election’s results. “If the Sena-BJP come within striking distance of power in Maharashtra, Raj may join us rather than sit in the opposition. However, the question is will he agree to a pre-poll alliance?”
He added that Raj may not go with the Congress as it would be inconvenient for both.
Sena and MNS sources admit that Raj, who is seeking to project himself as his late uncle Sena chief Bal Thackeray’s natural heir, may go it alone in the Lok Sabha and assembly polls, and negotiate with the Sena-BJP in case of a hung assembly. The MNS, being a new party, needed to contest more seats to broaden its base.
The Sena and MNS have overlapping zones of influence which could be a hurdle in seat-sharing. A BJP leader said repeated attempts to woo Raj made them cut a sorry figure and they needed to negotiate from a position of strength.
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