Shiv Sena warns BJP, says meeting Raj Thackeray a threat to alliance

A day after Bharatiya Janata Party leader Nitin Gadkari met Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Tuesday said any talks with the MNS will affect the BJP-Sena alliance.

"If a senior leader from BJP will support Raj Thackeray or Sharad Pawar, it can affect our grand alliance," Raut said.

He further said that there is no chance of any talks between the Sena and the MNS.

"The doors are closed for any rapprochement with Raj Thackeray," Raut said.

However, he assured that Shiv Sena and BJP will defeat Congress and NCP and will win 40 seats in the Lok Sabha polls.

Raut's statement came in view of Gadkari's meeting with Raj Thackeray here on Monday, where the BJP leader appealed to the MNS chief to abstain from contesting the Lok Sabha elections to avoid splitting the anti-Congress vote.