Rajnath Singh snubs MNS indirectly over unsolicited support

Pune: In a clear reference to MNS president Raj Thackeray’s declaration of post-polls support to Narendra Modi, BJP chief Rajnath Singh today termed it as “unsolicited” and said the saffron party’s ties with old ally Shiv Sena were “unbreakable”. Addressing party workers here, Singh said “our friendship with Shiv Sena is very old and will continue in future. Now a days, many parties are taking Modi’s name. Oh brother, why are you offering your unsolicited support to us? You either become part of NDA alliance or merge with BJP.” [caption id=“attachment_1471551” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Reuters[/caption] Without naming MNS, Singh further said nobody should do the politics of misleading the people. Asked whether there was a possibility of NDA accepting MNS’s support even after mustering a majority, Singh told reporters later that the question was hypothetical and he was sure NDA on its own would get the number. He also stated that as the BJP president, he was not “aware” of any support declared by MNS to Modi for the post of the Prime Minister. “I have not mentioned any party in my address,” he said. The comments by Singh are seen against the backdrop of displeasure expressed by Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray over BJP leader Nitin Gadkari’s meeting with Raj Thackeray for persuading the MNS chief to join BJP-led alliance. The Sena had also expressed reservations about MNS announcing support to Modi and “seeking votes” in his name. PTI