Raj Thackeray Meets Maha CM Eknath Shinde, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis Amid Alliance Buzz

MNS chief Raj Thackeray met Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai amid speculation of a possible alliance.

File photo of MNS head Raj Thackeray and Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde ( Image Source :PTI )

As the Lok Sabha elections inch closer, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray held a meeting with Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis hinting at a possible alliance amid heavy speculation ahead of the Lok Sabha polls slated to be held in seven phases, beginning from April 19. The meeting was held at the Taj Lands End in Bandra.

Earlier, MNS leader Thackeray met Union Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday in New Delhi, indicating that the BJP sees him as a possible ally in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections to boost its alliance in the western state, news agency PTI reported.

After the talks, senior MNS leader Bala Nandgaonkar stated that the talks between the two leaders were positive, the details of which will be shared in a day or two.

Deputy CM Fadnavis on Wednesday stated that the talks between Shah and Raj Thackeray were positive, but the picture would be clear in the next few days. If the alliance is sealed, the MNS will likely be given one seat to contest from Mumbai, PTI reported.

Shortly after Raj Thackeray's meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah, the Congress and NCP(SP) on Wednesday criticised the saffron party for it, asking if it was underconfident. They also expressed their doubts over how BJP would seek the votes of north Indians if it ties up with the MNS head.

"The BJP did not just break the trust of north Indian voters, but has also hurt their pride by rubbing salt on their wounds," PTI quoted Congress spokesperson Atul Lodhe saying.

"If the BJP is low on confidence despite being in majority. Why does the BJP feel the need for new partners?": NCP (SP) state president Jayant Patil asked.

Elections to the 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra will be held in five phases on April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13 and May 20 and votes will be counted on June 4.