Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray today softened his stand against the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and also questioned the rationale of playing IPL cricket matches in the state, when it faces a severe drought.

Raj, who has been engaged in a war of words with NCP leaders, said he did not wish any confrontation and had merely responded to intimidating statements by NCP spokesperson Ankush Kakade, "daring" him to visit Pune.