MUMBAI: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has extended his support to the BJP-led Mahayuti (Shiv Sena of CM Eknath Shinde and NCP of Ajit Pawar) in the upcoming parliamentary election, solely for “Narendra Modi” and the growth of the nation. He stated that this election would decide if “we are achieving growth or moving towards downfall”.
Raj announced his support while addressing a large crowd of MNS supporters gathered at Dadar’s Shivaji Park to attend the party’s annual rally on the occasion of Gudi Padwa.
Raj Thackeray indicated that his party may not contest the coming parliament election, but asked his supporters to prepare themselves for the assembly election scheduled in October this year.
On Monday, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed his confidence that Raj Thackeray was set to join the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and would declare his support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Raj Thackeray had aggressively campaigned against the BJP during the last parliamentary election in 2019.
While addressing his supporters on Monday, Raj Thackeray took a dig at his cousin and Shiv Sena UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray, by stating that he always praised and congratulated the BJP for their good deeds. He said, “I never made personal comments, unlike Sanjay Raut and Uddhav Thackeray. My criticism was always issue-based.” He affirmed that he stands by the critical comment or statement he made in the past about his new alliance partners.
Raj mentioned that he had been receiving proposals from Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for some time but lacked clarity. Therefore, he “called Amit Shah (Senior BJP leader and Home Minister)” and met him to discuss the matter before further discussing the issue with Shinde and Fadnavis and making any announcement.
Raj Thackeray stated that he was never interested in seat-sharing talks. He also said that he would remain the chief of the party he formed and would not head any other party.
Around two decades ago, Thackeray left Shiv Sena and formed the MNS, focusing on local employment. In 2008, his party workers beat up a North Indian candidate who came to the state to appear for the railway recruitment exam, and in 2009, his party performed well, securing 13 assembly seats. However, their success dwindled, winning only one seat in the 2014 elections out of 232 contested. He had campaigned against the BJP during the 2019 parliamentary election, mainly against Narendra Modi and Amit Shah although his party had not contested the election. Raj Thackeray was questioned by the ED in a money laundering case just before the assembly election in the same year, in which his party again won just one seat. However, MNS candidates had received a considerable number of votes in several constituencies in the past elections, they contested.
Raj announced his support while addressing a large crowd of MNS supporters gathered at Dadar’s Shivaji Park to attend the party’s annual rally on the occasion of Gudi Padwa.
Raj Thackeray indicated that his party may not contest the coming parliament election, but asked his supporters to prepare themselves for the assembly election scheduled in October this year.
On Monday, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed his confidence that Raj Thackeray was set to join the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and would declare his support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Raj Thackeray had aggressively campaigned against the BJP during the last parliamentary election in 2019.
While addressing his supporters on Monday, Raj Thackeray took a dig at his cousin and Shiv Sena UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray, by stating that he always praised and congratulated the BJP for their good deeds. He said, “I never made personal comments, unlike Sanjay Raut and Uddhav Thackeray. My criticism was always issue-based.” He affirmed that he stands by the critical comment or statement he made in the past about his new alliance partners.
Raj mentioned that he had been receiving proposals from Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for some time but lacked clarity. Therefore, he “called Amit Shah (Senior BJP leader and Home Minister)” and met him to discuss the matter before further discussing the issue with Shinde and Fadnavis and making any announcement.
Raj Thackeray stated that he was never interested in seat-sharing talks. He also said that he would remain the chief of the party he formed and would not head any other party.
Around two decades ago, Thackeray left Shiv Sena and formed the MNS, focusing on local employment. In 2008, his party workers beat up a North Indian candidate who came to the state to appear for the railway recruitment exam, and in 2009, his party performed well, securing 13 assembly seats. However, their success dwindled, winning only one seat in the 2014 elections out of 232 contested. He had campaigned against the BJP during the 2019 parliamentary election, mainly against Narendra Modi and Amit Shah although his party had not contested the election. Raj Thackeray was questioned by the ED in a money laundering case just before the assembly election in the same year, in which his party again won just one seat. However, MNS candidates had received a considerable number of votes in several constituencies in the past elections, they contested.