Miffed Shiv Sena likely to boycott NDA rally

Mumbai: The Shiv Sena has threatened to boycott NDA'S proposed rally against corruption in New Delhi on Wednesday over Raj Thackeray's visit to BJP office on Monday.

The Shiv Sena has asked for an explanation from its ally Maha Navnirman Sena Chief Raj Thackeray over his visit to BJP office in Mumbai on Monday.

The MNS chief visited the BJP office in Mumbai...and met BJP State President Sudhir Mungan-TIWAR and other leaders for about 20 minutes.

The BJP has downplayed the visit saying it was an informal one. But the visit has evoked interest as it comes after a recent showdown between activists of the MNS and BJP ally Shiv Sena.

Eyebrows were raised on Monday in political circle after the MNS chief Raj Thackeray visited BJP office here and met its State President Sudhir Mungantiwar.

After inaugurating a party office in LIC building, Raj, the estranged nephew of Sena chief Bal Thackeray, went to the BJP office located nearby, taking everyone by surprise.

He was welcomed by Mungantiwar and other BJP leaders including Vinod Tawade, Madhu Chavan and Madhav Bhandari. The informal meeting went on for about 20 minutes which is considered significant in the political circles given that the civic polls in the metropolis are due in early 2012.

Speaking to media about Raj's unplanned visit, Mungantiwar said "it was not a political meet but an informal one. He (Raj) came as a guest and we just had tea."

During the last assembly polls, Mungantiwar had called Raj as 'a test tube baby of NCP leader Sharad Pawar' for eating into the BJP votes. Replying to a query in connection with his remarks, Mungantiwar said he still held the same view.

When asked as to how the BJP would explain to Sena about the meeting with the MNS chief who is like an enemy for their ally, Mungantiwar said "he (Raj) is not their enemy, he is (Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray's) brother."

The visit by Raj also evoked interest as it came in the backdrop of Shiv Sena and MNS activists coming face to face at the LIC office nearby creating tension for a brief period. Hundreds of activists from both the parties shouted slogans and tried to show their strength.

(With PTI inputs)