NEW DELHI: The BJP-led NDA in Maharashtra could get a boost in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections with indications that Maharashtra Navnirman Sena leader Raj Thackeray could become a part of the alliance. On Tuesday, Raj Thackeray met Union home minister Amit Shah in the national capital in the presence of BJP national general secretary Vinod Tawde.
If Raj Thackery joins NDA, he could help the ruling alliance counter the influence of his estranged cousin Uddhav, who heads one faction of the Shiv Sena and is part of Maha Vikas Aghadi – the opposition alliance in the state. Besides Uddhav, the MVA includes the Congress and Sharad Pawar faction of the Nationalist Congress Party.
The ruling NDA in Maharashtra includes Shiv Sena headed by chief minister Eknath Shinde and NCP headed by deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, who broke ranks with his uncle Sharad Pawar and got control over the party.
Raj Thackeray had parted ways with the Shiv Sena, when it was undivided, due to his differences with Uddhav and formed MNS. While Raj enjoys a strong following in the state, his party has not made much electoral impact.