Hinting at the possibility of a surprising turn of events, Maharashtra MLA Ravi Rana, triggered a major political row just two days before the results announcement the Lok Sabha elections 2024. The controversy erupted after Rana claimed that Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray will likely join hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance, after the latter attains third consecutive victory.


The results for the seven-phased Lok Sabha polls is slated to be announced on June 4. Various exit polls released on June 1 projected NDA's victory, third time in a row, dashing the hopes of the I.N.D.I.A bloc once again.


However, the opposition alliance leaders have come out to question the credibility of the exit polls, with some calling them an "orchestrated plan" and with others "rejecting" them completely.


In an interview with CNN-News 18, Maharashtra MLA Ravi Rana claimed that the former Maharashtra Chief Minister is "set to join PM Modi's government within 20 days after the swearing-in ceremony of the NDA.” 


Stressing that his predictions are accurate, Rana stated that he "knows this time as well, I will be right", adding that he had also predicted the exit of Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar from Shiv Sena and NCP, respectively, and it turned out to be true.


“The Prime Minister had said that a window is always open for Uddhav Thackeray as he is Balasaheb Thackeray’s son. I am sure that Uddhav will use this window to come back to BJP,” the MLA claimed.


Will Uddhav Thackeray Become Part Of Modi Government 3.0?


In a political twist, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had signalled Udhhav Thackeray to join NDA during an interview. Besides this, PM Modi during a political rally in Maharashtra's Nandurbar took a dig at Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray, advising them to "join our Ajit dada (Pawar) and Shinde ji to fulfill your dreams respectfully instead of dying in Congress."


Uddhav Thackeray is a part of the opposition-led I.N.D.I.A bloc has been seen standing in unity with it against the NDA.


In the interview, PM Modu was asked if he considered former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray as the rightful heir to Balasaheb Thackeray. To this he replied: "I can never forget the love and affection of Balasaheb Thackeray towards me."


The PM stated that he will always be grateful to Balasaheb Thackeray and can never speak against him. he also added that he’ll be the first one to help Uddhav Thackeray if lands in trouble.


However, Uddhav Thackeray had responded to PM Modi's remark saying, "Even if the doors are open, do whatever you want. I will not come to you. And there will be no need to come back to you because you will not be there (in power)."


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