Raj Thackeray softens stand on Shiv Sena-BJP

Nashik, June 10: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president RajThackeray today softened his stand on the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance,describing it as a ''brick''.

He made this remark at a question and answer session organised asa part of two-day district-level journalist training camp, whichcommenced at Saptashringi Gad in North Maharashtra. The camp has beenorganised by the Nashik District Marathi Patrakar Sangh and KalwanTaluka Patrakar Sangh.

When Raj was asked of the Congress-NCP combine and Sena-BJPalliance whom he would call a brick or stone, he replied ''I callSena-BJP as a brick.'' This statement by MNS president may hint to hisfuture strategies.

He said the Sena-BJP alliance should be given due credit for somegood things that it had done during its rule. The Mumbai-Puneexpressway was one among them, he added.

To a question on his party's performance in the recently concludedcivic polls, the young leader said the elections gave him the idea howmuch votes his party can garner in the future.

''I contested these elections with the 2009 Legislative Assemblyelections in mind. The party ranked third in total votes percentage inthe Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls,'' he said.

Speaking about his party's performance in Nashik MunicipalCorporation (NMC), he said in the first attempt itself, his party won12 seats in NMC, while Shiv Sena had won nine seats.

''I am ready to work hard and wait till this turns into votes,'' he said.

About Shiv Sena's success in the BMC elections, Raj said the wholecredit goes to the party supremo Bal Thackeray as people still lovehim. This success was the result of Thackery Senior's appeal to people.

To a question, he said development of Maharashtra will be his party's agenda.

The camp was inaugurated by senior journalist Madhukar Bhave,while Divisional Revenue Commissioner Sanjay Chanhande presided overthe programme.

UNI