While some political observers saw PM Narendra Modi’s declaration in Sangli on Sunday that he would not say anything against the Shiv Sena out of respect for Bal Thackeray — as an indication that he wanted to keep the option of a post-poll alliance open, the Sena saw it as a masterstroke designed to win over its vote bank.

Uddhav Thackeray at the rally in Tuljapur yesterday. Pic/Rajesh Varadkar