Uddhav says open to alliance with Raj

Jan 31, 2013 |

Age Correspondent

mumbai

Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday once again re-ignited the possibility of his reunion with MNS chief Raj Thackeray. In an interview given to Shiv Sena mouthpiece Saamana, Uddhav said that he would welcome any alliance between Shiv Sena and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena. However, Raj has given him a cold shoulder by refusing to react to Uddhav’s statement.
Uddhav’s interview was conducted by member of Parliament and Saamana executive editor Sanjay Raut. When Mr Raut asked what he would do if estranged cousin Raj approached him with a proposal (for an alliance), Uddhav said, “It takes two hands to clap. Why do you ask this question only to me? I am ready to reply. But for that you have to make us (me and Raj) sit together, next to each other. Then you can ask the question to both of us. It depends on both sides.”
Uddhav further added that it was important to know why the two cousins split as well. “More important than coming together, we have to first analyse why we drifted away... If we reunite, what purpose will that serve? Who is your main political opponent? (sic),” he asked. Replying to another question, Uddhav said that he was ready to welcome Raj back in to the Sena if he was willing to come back. The Sena president also claimed that contrary to claims by BJP leaders, he had not got any proposal regarding the Sena-BJP and MNS fighting together in an alliance. However, there was no response from Raj through the day. An official of the MNS informed that the MNS chief did not want to give any reaction to Uddhav’s comments.
A senior MNS leader said that the Sena president is only trying to play an emotional card to increase his political stock. He pointed out that though Uddhav did not make any direct negative comment about Raj, Uddhav has blamed his cousin for the split and accused him of being disloyal to Bal Thackeray. The MNS leader pointed out that one of Uddhav’s answers in the interview was, “I always remained loyal to Balasaheb. I never branched out.”

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