Raj Thackeray also took aim at Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde over the state tourism department’s plan to establish NaMo tourist centres on four forts of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
Although both parties have signalled a thaw in relations, no formal announcement regarding an alliance has been made yet. File Pic
Amid growing buzz over a possible alliance between the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and the Shiv Sena (UBT), MNS chief Raj Thackeray on Thursday said his meetings with cousin and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray will continue.
According to the news agency PTI, while addressing party workers, Raj Thackeray hit out at the Election Commission, alleging major discrepancies in the voters’ list and criticising the denial of CCTV footage to political parties.
“What is happening in the country is an insult to honest voters. Election results are an insult to the votes they cast. Elections must be held transparently; no developed country uses EVMs,” he said.
Commenting on the ongoing talks with Uddhav Thackeray, the MNS leader added, “Meetings and interactions with Uddhav will continue.”
Although both parties have signalled a thaw in relations, no formal announcement regarding an alliance has been made yet.
As per PTI, Raj Thackeray also took aim at Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde over the state tourism department’s plan to establish NaMo tourist centres on four forts of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
“Is there any limit to mortgaging one’s self-respect? How desperate can one be to become chief minister?” he said, warning that such centres “will be vandalised.”
The NaMo tourist centre initiative, led by Tourism Minister Shambhuraj Desai, was announced on the occasion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 75th birthday.
Eknath Shinde wanted Uddhav-Raj Thackeray rapprochement before Shiv Sena split, claims Sanjay Raut
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Sunday claimed that when Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was part of the undivided Shiv Sena, he had urged him to work for rapprochement between cousins Uddhav and Raj Thackeray to "stop" the BJP, reported news agency PTI.
In his weekly column 'Rokthok' in the Sena (UBT) mouthpiece 'Saamana', Raut said Shinde is unhappy now that the Thackeray cousins have come together, reported PTI.
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray appear to have set aside their differences, making public appearances together over the last few months amid buzz that they might form an alliance for the upcoming civic polls in the state.
The coming together of the two parties ahead of the rural and urban body polls, which are to be held before January 31, 2026, is a mere formality now, according to leaders of the two parties.
Raut, in his column, said, "Shinde and (Shiv Sena minister) Pratap Sarnaik had told me several times in the past to bring Raj and Uddhav Thackeray together. This, he said, was necessary to unfurl the saffron flag over Maharashtra. The cousins must come together to stop the BJP," reported PTI.
(With PTI inputs)
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