Raj can come back to Sena if he wishes: Thackeray

Mumbai, Feb 16 (UNI) In what is seen as an open invitation to his politically estranged nephew Raj Thackeray, Shiv Sena Supremo Bal Thackeray has said Raj could come back into the Sena fold but he would have to make the first public move of reconciliation.

''Whatever the politics, ours is a blood relation'' and that one can not rule out a coming together in the future'', Thackeray told a private news channel.

Talking warmly about Raj, whose party Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) failed to have an impact in the Mumbai civic polls, Thackeray hinted that matters would have to be resolved between Uddhav and Raj.

When asked whether the coming together of the Thackerays under one political umbrella was possible in the future, he said ''It all depends upon the youngsters today. How they amicably resolve the thing (their differences).'' Asked whether he was thinking of bringing Raj back, Thackeray said ''I will not try, but if he wishes to, we (Shiv Sena) will accept him back.'' Thackeray then went on to say that while people like Raj were welcome to return to the Sena, he would not take back those who deserted the party like former Maharashtra Chief Minister Narayan Rane.

Bal Thackeray said he was in touch with Raj and they often speak to each other over the phone. When asked whether their relationship could reach the warmth like before, Balasaheb replied ''Whenever I want I talk to him. And he telephones me. What is wrong in that? Let us not mix up politics with relationships. Keep relations aside and think of politics alone. Definitely, don't mix it.'' Bal Thackeray's comments and his open offer to Raj to return to the Sena are significant, especially in the light of the Sena's success in the prestigious civic polls in Mumbai.

UNI