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In Maharashtra, with the Lok Sabha elections looming just 10 days away, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has received a significant boost from Raj Thackeray, the chief of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), who has pledged his “unconditional” support to the alliance.
This development comes amid ongoing challenges the NDA faces in finalising a seat-sharing arrangement within the state.
During a speech to his party workers on the occasion of Gudi Padwa, the Maharashtrian New Year, Thackeray spoke about his meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah last month and claimed he was the first person in the country who said Narendra Modi should be Prime Minister.
Thackeray emphasised the importance of education and employment for India’s young population, warning of potential anarchy if these needs are not met.
He asserted that the upcoming Lok Sabha election is crucial for determining India’s future and voiced his belief that Modi is the right leader for the country at this critical juncture.
Thackeray declared his party’s support for the coalition of the BJP, Eknath Shinde led Shiv Sena, and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP, clarifying that his support is driven by the need for strong leadership under Modi, without any personal expectations or political demands.
“I don’t have any expectations. When there is a need for a strong leadership in the country, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena will back the BJP, Shiv Sena and the NCP unconditionally. It is only for Narendra Modi,” Thackeray said, NDTV reported.
While it remains uncertain whether the MNS will contest in the Lok Sabha elections, Thackeray encouraged his party members to gear up for the upcoming Assembly elections, hinting at aspirations for electoral collaboration and seat-sharing.
In his speech, Thackeray also defended his meeting with Amit Shah.
“What was wrong in me going and meeting the home minister? The chief minister of the state told me we should come together. Devendra Fadnavis also spoke (about this). That’s why I met Amit Shah,” he said.
Thackeray claimed that he was the first person in the country to say Narendra Modi should be the Prime Minister, but he had also opposed him when needed.
“After 2014, I felt that what I heard in the speeches (by Narendra Modi) was not materialising. I opposed him, but whenever he did anything good, like (abrogating) Article 370, I welcomed it. I also organised a rally in favour of the National Register of Citizens,” Thackeray said.
Eknath Shinde, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, expressed gratitude for Thackeray’s backing, praising Modi’s leadership and developmental efforts.
Similarly, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed his appreciation of Thackeray’s decision on social media.
“Warm welcome! Believing in the able leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to realise the dream of a developed India, for building a strong Maharashtra, I am very grateful to MNS chief Shri Raj Thackeray ji for supporting the alliance of BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP,” Fadnavis said in a post on X.
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