Many credible faces for PM, says Uddhav

Ignoring the NaMo factor, Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray on Friday appeared disinclined to support Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi for the post of the NDA’s prime ministerial candidate in the next Lok Sabha polls. At a time when Mr Modi is considered the frontrunner for the post within the BJP, its ally Shiv Sena simply said that the NDA has “a lot of credible people” who could be the NDA’s face in the polls. Mr Thackeray, while addressing industry captains in the capital, said: “The country needs a reliable face. Can you find one face who fits Can you see one Since we cannot see a clear face, let us elect a strong government.” Later, when asked who would be the face of the NDA in the elections, Mr Thackeray said, “We have a lot of credible people. Have some patience. We will definitely show you the face.” He later met BJP parliamentary party chief L.K. Advani, who himself is upset with Mr Modi’s elevation in the BJP. Mr Thackeray apparently also discussed the issue of NDA convenor with Mr Advani as the post is vacant after the JD(U) quit the NDA fold. The post was earlier with JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav. Mr Thackeray also paid a visit to former Prime Minister and BJP patriarch A.B. Vajpayee. The Sena chief’s apparent disinclination to back Mr Modi assumes significance considering that Mr Modi is considered the frontrunner for the PM candidate post in the saffron party. Incidentally, earlier this week Mr Thackeray had supported Mr Modi over the latter’s “Hindu nationalist” remarks and attacked the JD(U) for walking out of the NDA over Mr Modi’s elevation in the saffron party. The Shiv Sena has been having reservations to the projection of Mr Modi, apparently because of his proximity to Mr Thackeray’s estranged cousin, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray. In his address at the function, Mr Thackeray said, “First bring in a strong government if you want a manifesto for development.” Attacking the UPA, he said it is difficult to make out who is running the country — the government or the media or NGOs or some other entity. He said he does not want to single out Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for the sorry state of affairs in the government which he described as “corrupt”. “This government is working like a mobile pre-paid connection. You pay and then talk. But a person told me that whenever you call, you are told the mobile is out of network. We have to put an end to this. And then ensure everybody is in our network,” the Sena chief said. He claimed the next government will be formed by the NDA.