MNS would support Modi as the PM: Raj Thackeray

Ahmedabad, Sep 19: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray today (Sept 19) said here that Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi could become a good Prime Minister, and MNS would be happy to support him.

"I have come to convey my good wishes to Modiji. I had called him after the Supreme Court's order (in Gulberg Society riot case). After the certificate from the Supreme Court, Modi does not need anybody else's certificate," Thackeray told reporters after meeting Modi.

"Modi could become a good Prime Minister and my party will support him. In fact, anybody who wants to work hard for the people of the country can become a good PM," he said, when asked if he considered Modi to be a Prime Minister material.

Modi's party, BJP, is in alliance with Shiv Sena in Maharashtra. MNS is considered to be Sena's rival in the state politics, as both eye the Marathi vote.

Raj said there was a need for "Sadbhavna'' (goodwill), but the felling had to be mutual. "Otherwise it is useless," he said .

On the Modi's fast itself, Raj said that it was different from other fasts, as there were no demands attached to it.

"One needs to understand the objective behind it first," Thackeray added.

He also said that the country was riddled with scams, and was in the desperate need of a good captain. A few weeks ago, the MNS chief had toured Gujarat, to see the development in the state first-hand, and had praised Modi's leadership.

PTI