Raj Thackeray meets Sharad Pawar, sparks rumors of poll alliance

Mumbai: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray called on the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) head Sharad Pawar raising speculations that the Opposition parties are planning to include his party into the fold. According to NCP sources, Mr Thackeray met Mr Pawar at the latter’s residence and the meeting lasted for about 45 minutes.

An MNS party insider refused to divulge what transpired at the meeting. “Rajsaheb had campaigned valiantly against the BJP during the Lok Sabha polls. But the Opposition parties failed to take advantage of it,” he said.

There still has been no consensus among the Opposition parties regarding inclusion of the MNS into their grand alliance for the Vidhan Sabha polls, which will be held later this year.

The Opposition members on Tuesday had discussed plans for putting up a united front against the BJP-Shiv Sena. But the issue of taking the MNS along did not come up during the talks.

According to the sources, the NCP is considering an alliance with the MNS for the state Assembly elections. Even during the Lok Sabha polls, the NCP was keen on forming an alliance with the MNS, but the Congress reportedly had reservations. It feared a backlash in the Hindi heartland due to the MNS’ anti-North Indian stand.