Raj Thackeray Meets Amit Shah Amid Speculation Of Alliance For Lok Sabha Polls, NCP(SP) Says, 'Not Surprising'

Raj Thackeray's meeting with Amit Shah in New Delhi on Tuesday indicates an alliance between the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the upcoming LS polls.

New Delhi: After the meeting of Raj Thackeray's meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) on Tuesday said it was not astonishing as there were indications of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief's closeness to the BJP. MNS leader Thackeray has been under the scanner of central agencies and he has been trying to save his party, NCP (SP) spokesperson Clyde Crasto claimed.

According to PTI, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) under Raj Thackeray has faced declining fortunes and his meeting with Amit Shah could salvage him and his party's position, the leader of the Sharad Pawar-led NCP faction further claimed. "It is not astonishing that he met Union minister Amit Shah as there were enough indications of his closeness to the BJP", Crasto said.

Raj Thackeray's meeting with Amit Shah in New Delhi on Tuesday indicates an alliance between the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.  If the alliance materialises, the MNS might be allocated one seat to contest from Mumbai, the capital of Maharashtra, where Thackeray's cousin Uddhav Thackeray leads the Shiv Sena faction, which holds some influence, as per PTI.

Raj Thackeray's departure from the Shiv Sena, particularly when it was undivided, stemmed from differences with his cousin and the party's leadership. Despite being recognised as a compelling orator with a dedicated following, his MNS could not make much impact. 

His controversial comments against north Indians in the past had drawn sharp criticism from leaders from various political parties, including the BJP. 

Raj Thackeray In Delhi Amid Speculation Of Alliance 

Amidst speculations of entry into the NDA alliance, Raj Thackeray arrived in New Delhi on Monday evening. As per reports from India Today, Thackeray's visit coincides with the presence of Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis and state BJP President Chandrashekhar Bawankule in the national capital. This convergence of key political figures fuels anticipation about possible discussions and negotiations. It's reported that the MNS leader may assertively demand two seats, South Mumbai and Shirdi.