[1]Mumbai: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday met Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray at the latter's residence here, first time after his elevation as the chief of BJP's election campaign committee.
The meeting took place against the backdrop of Shiv Sena in its mouthpiece 'Saamana' slamming the BJP strongman for his 'parochial' rescue efforts for Gujaratis from the flood-ravaged Uttarakhand.
Modi, accompanied by state unit BJP president Devendra Fadnavis, the Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Vinod Tawde and Mumbai BJP president Ashish Shelar, met Uddhav at his residence 'Matoshree' in suburban Bandra. However what transpired in the brief meeting, lasted for 20 minutes, is not known.
In an article in 'Saamana', Sena had termed Modi's rescue efforts for Gujaratis as 'detrimental' to his interests when the BJP strongman is being cheered as likely prime ministerial candidate.
Sena's open rebuke of the reported 'Rambo' act of Modi created a flutter in the political circles triggering speculations that all is not well in the BJP-led NDA dispensation which is shrunken to three parties, including Shiromani Akali Dal, after JD(U)'s exit. However, Uddhav did a sort of balancing act later clarifying that the criticism was not directed against Modi.
Next: Highlight Cong's corruption, good governance of BJP: Modi tells BJP men
Highlight Cong's corruption, good governance of BJP, says Modi
Mumbai: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday asked the Maharashtra BJP unit leaders to highlight the corruption of the Congress and good governance of states where BJP is in power.
"BJP has to be voter-centric. We have to go the people now and highlight the corruption of the Congress and good governance of BJP ruled states," Modi told the core committee of the state BJP unit here. This is Modi's first visit to the state after being appointment as BJP's poll campaign committee chief.
Party spokesman Prakash Javadekar said in 1999 Lok Sabha elections, their party won 18 Lok Sabha seats and Sena was victorious on 15. "Our preparations this time should be to surpass that tally," Javadekar said.
Before the meeting, Javadekar told reporters that "The Sena-BJP alliance has always been strong in Maharashtra. Efforts will be to win the seats in Mumbai, Pune and Marathwada which the party lost in 2009."
State BJP unit president Devendra Phadanvis said Modi spoke of the 'statue of unity' of Sardar Patel which will be made in Gujarat and how iron used by farmers from seven lakh villages all over the country will be brought to that state for its construction.
BJP general secretary in-charge of Maharashtra Rajiv Pratap Rudy, party's national spokesman Prakash Javadekar, BJP deputy leader in Lok Sabha Gopinath Munde, state unit president Devendra Phadanvis, Leader of Opposition in Assembly Eknath Khadse and in the council Vinod Tawde were prominent among those present during the closed door meeting.
Former party president Nitin Gadkari was conspicuous by his absence. However, sources close to Gadkari said he was in Delhi for visa interview for his upcoming visit to Norway. "He has completed the formalities and is on his way back to Mumbai to attend a book release function in South Mumbai along with Modi," sources said.
Links:
[1] http://archive.asianage.com/gujarat-modi-mumbaijpg-944