This Article is From Apr 01, 2014

Uddhav Thackeray on the Sena vs Sena battle in Maharashtra

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray talks to NDTV about recent tension with BJP over its expression of interest in Raj Thackeray.

Mumbai: Uddhav Thackeray, the head of the Shiv Sena, today ruled out a rapprochement with estranged cousin Raj Thackeray. "It is irrelevant now.  I am focusing on the national election.  I don't want to get distracted by anything like this," he told NDTV in an exclusive interview. (Highlights | Watch)

"When Raj Thackeray quit the Shiv Sena (in 2005), he said the reason was 'Uddhav.'  If the same Uddhav phones him now, how will that make a difference? Can it help?" he said. Raj Thackeray said at a Pune rally recently that after he exited the Sena, the party talked of a reconciliation in its magazine. "If he were serious, Uddhav should have phoned me directly," Raj Thackeray said a few days ago. (India Votes 2014: full coverage)

For his part, Uddhav Thackeray indicated that he was hurt over earlier rebuffed efforts to repair and restore the relationship. (NDTV's Opinion Poll: Forecast for Maharashtra)

The feud between the Thackerays is likely to split voters in Maharashtra who are against the incumbent coalition of the Congress and Sharad Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party. Raj Thackeray has announced seven candidates from his Maharashtra Navnirman Sena or MNS  for the national election; six of them take on the Shiv Sena directly.  (Raj Thackeray targets Shiv Sena, supports Narendra Modi)

Nitin Gadkari, the former president of the BJP, says that it was to stave off this damaging consequence that he met last month in a five-star hotel with Raj Thackeray in Mumbai, a conferral which left Uddhav seething. Mr Gadkari said he had not sought the sanction of top BJP leaders for the meeting, because he was acting in the party's best interest. ('Don't regret meeting Raj Thackeray', Gadkari to NDTV) "If one individual is going to take these decisions, then why bother having a party president? What is the president's role then?"  Uddhav retaliated today.

The consultation incited sharp tension, with Uddhav publicly accusing his ally of violating the principles of a long-standing political alliance. "The matter has been settled now," he said to NDTV, citing reassurances from BJP president Rajnath Singh. (Also read: BJP works to pacify Shiv Sena, Modi dials Uddhav)

Raj Thackeray has accused the Sena of blocking his entry to a formal coalition with the BJP and its partners for the election.
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