Raj Thackeray In Delhi, Possible Meeting With Amit Shah Over MNS Joining NDA

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has landed in Delhi on Monday to hold discussions with the BJP leaders on joining the NDA for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

Raj Thackeray is being accompanied by his son Amit Thackeray. This is his second visit to Delhi in a week. He is likely to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Ekanth Shinde has hinted at a possible alliance of the MNS with the NDA-led by BJP. He said, "Raj Thackeray is a person who has a similar ideology like ours. The right decision will be taken at the right time."

The possibility of an alliance between the MNS and the BJP has been speculated for some time, despite Raj Thackeray's reluctance to confirm it publicly during his rallies.

Although the MNS does not have any representation in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly or Parliament, the BJP sees potential in leveraging Raj Thackeray's existing Marathi-speaking voter base in the civic bodies of Mumbai, Thane, Pune, and Nashik.

Raj Thackeray would consider an alliance with the BJP only if he secured the South Mumbai seat from the party, Times Now reported citing sources.

However, the BJP has fielded Rahul Narwekar for the seat. The ruling Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra consists of the BJP, the Shiv Sena (led by Eknath Shinde), and the NCP (led by Ajit Pawar).

Maharashtra will conduct its Lok Sabha elections in 5 phases, starting on April 19, followed by April 26, May 7, May 13, and May 20.