Raj Thackeray backs Mahayuti alliance, says country needs ‘strong leadership’

MNS president Raj Thackeray announces unconditional support to Mahayuti alliance, backing PM Modi for Lok Sabha polls.

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Tuesday announced “unconditional” support to the Mahayuti coalition — Bharatiya Janata Party, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) — in the upcoming Lok Sabha election.

Addressing a Gudi Padwa rally at Shivaji Park in Mumbai, he also announced that his party will not contest the Lok Sabha poll, but asked his supporters and party workers to buckle up for the State Assembly election due later this year.

Mr. Thackeray said he expects Mr. Modi to focus on the concerns of the youth and maintained that the state should get a larger share of central revenue given the taxes it pays.

“When there is a need for a strong leadership in the country, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena will back the BJP, Shiv Sena, NCP unconditionally. It is only for Narendra Modi,” Mr. Thackeray said.

The MNS leader had recently met the BJP leaders in New Delhi, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, stirring speculation of him joining the Mahayuti alliance.

“I am not someone who believes in splitting or breaking a party. I will be the chief of MNS only,” Mr. Thackeray said at the rally.

(With inputs from PTI)