Maharashtra: Raj Thackeray-led MNS backs NDA, Modi; CM Shinde extends thanks
Asked whether Mahayuti will give Lok Sabha seats to the MNS to contest, Shinde said the Raj Thackeray-led outfit has not put any conditions for supporting the three-party alliance
Raj Thackeray, chief of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) on Tuesday (April 9) threw his weight behind the ‘Mahayuti’ (grand) alliance in Maharashtra for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
Addressing his party's annual rally in Mumbai on Gudi Padwa (traditional Maharashtra New Year that symbolises fresh beginnings, auspiciousness), Thackeray announced unconditional support to the NDA alliance and backed Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“The MNS is giving unconditional support to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the NDA. Now all start and prepare for the assembly elections,” the MNS chief told party cadres.
“After 30 years, one person got elected with a full majority. If you remember, I was the first one, even before the BJP, who said that Narendra Modi should become Prime Minister of India. I praised him for Article 370. I also led morcha for NRC,” he said.
The Eknath Shinde led Shiv Sena and the NCP faction led by Ajit Pawar are also part of the Mahayuti alliance besides BJP. So far, no seat-sharing has been declared for the MNS.
Shinde thanks Raj Thackeray
While extending his gratitude and thanks to Thackeray for his unconditional support to the alliance, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde took a jibe at his rival and former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray without mentioning his name.
Shinde said those counting 'rokad' (money) while sitting at home during COVID-19 have no right to criticise Modi.
Asked by the media whether Mahayuti will give Lok Sabha seats to the MNS to contest, Shinde said the Raj Thackeray-led outfit has not put any conditions for supporting the three-party alliance.
“The MNS leader has extended support to the leadership of Prime Minister Modi and his agenda of development,” he said.
To a query on Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray calling his ruling party 'Chinese Sena', the CM hit back at his political rival.
"Whose Shiv Sena is theirs? Our Shiv Sena is of Balasaheb's and his ideology. Those who do not follow the ideology of Balasaheb (Sena founder Bal Thackeray) and accept the insult of Savarkar (Hindutva ideologue VD Savarkar) should think before criticizing us. We took a stand to save the Shiv Sena," he said.
