After Pawar, Cong's Thakre calls on Raj Thackeray

Mumbai: Implicating that the Congress has softened its stance towards the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), senior party leader Manikrao Thakre called on MNS chief Raj Thackeray on Thursday.

It is an indication that the Congress is reconsidering its decision of not accommodating the MNS in the Opposition fold, said political observers.

 According to sources, talks between the leaders focused on the Vidhan Sabha polls to be held later this year. Issues like wether the MNS was willing to join the Opposition alliance, how they could be accommodated were discussed during the meeting.

The meeting was held just a day after Raj Thackeray met NCP head Sharad Pawar, raising speculations that the Opposition parties were considering including the former into their fold.

The Congress reportedly had reservations about including the MNS in the Opposition alliance for fear of a backlash in the Hindi heartland owing to MNS’ anti-north Indian stand. However, the NCP had been insisting on an alliance with the MNS for the state Assembly elections.

 The possibility of the NCP allotting MNS some of the seats from its own quota, as part of the alliance with the Congress, cannot be ruled out. According to him, MNS can influence voters in around 30 Assembly segments.

 The MNS did not field candidates in the recently-held Lok Sabha polls, but Raj Thackeray aggressively campaigned against the BJP, holding several rallies which drew large crowds. However, the saffron alliance won 41 of the 48 seats in the state. The Congress and NCP could win only five seats together.

Farmer-leader Raju Shetti, who lost the Hatkanangale seat, had called on Raj Thackeray Tuesday.