Advani calls on Thackeray

Mumbai, Oct 1 (UNI) In an attempt to further rebond with its oldest ally in view of the possibility of a mid-term general election, BJP leader and former Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani today met Shiv Sena Chief Bal Thackeray.

The hour-long meeting assumes significance as Mr Advani had met the Sena chief at his residence after several years.

Mr Advani, accompanied by Maharashtra BJP president Nitin Gadkari, visited 'Matoshree', the Thackeray residence at Bandra, this afternoon and spent more than an hour with the Sena patriach.

The strained relations between the two saffron allies had reached a dead-end after the Shiv Sena chose to support UPA-Left candidate Mrs Pratibha Patil for the post of President.

Last month, the patch up was sought to be resolved at the instance of Mr Advani, when he met. Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray and former Lok Sabha speaker Manohar Joshi at his New Delhi residence.

UNI