The statement comes weeks after an interaction between the two leaders caused wild speculation.
Shiv Sena MP and top leader Sanjay Raut today said Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray still shares a very strong bond with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and that is separate from politics. The statement comes weeks after an interaction between the two leaders caused wild speculation.
On June 8, over a range of issues linked to Maharashtra, Uddhav Thackeray met with PM Modi. However, it was their one-on-one meeting that drew maximum attention and suggested a thaw between the former allies.
Sanjay Raut, however, refuted the speculations around the meeting, and said the Chief Minister’s priority was to push for central intervention in Maratha quota after the Supreme Court struck it down.
“They spoke for about 40 minutes alone. This shouldn’t lead to speculation that BJP will join hands with the Sena for a government. Our paths are different. BJP is in opposition and we are in power. But we still have strong personal bonds. The ties between the Thackeray family and Narendra Modi are years old. Politics can be separate but personal ties are strong,” Sanjay Raut said.
“Look at Sharad Pawar. We always had ties with the Pawar family despite our political differences. This is Maharashtra’s tradition – we are people who keep relationships intact,” Mr Raut added.
“It is our commitment to each other to run the government for five years. It is not our commitment to contest election together. Elections are three years away. Then we will see who will fight alone,” the Saamana editor said.
“Without the Congress no opposition front will succeed. Today it may be weakened, but it is still the main opposition party of the country. We have to take them along. There is no joy in a 3rd front or a 4th front or a 5th front. We have to strengthen the existing front,” he added.
“It is only when there is talk about who will lead the front that the trouble arises. A new front is no alternative. We have to strengthen the UPA.”
Leaders like (Bengal Chief Minister) Mamata Banerjee and NCP chief Sharad Pawar must speak to the Congress leadership, Mr Raut stressed.
“Such a front can’t come to power immediately. But at least there will be a strong, united opposition front and the government will have to acknowledge that.”
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