Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Thursday said that Bharatiya Janata Party’s candidate for prime ministerial post, Narendra Modi, should have resigned as Gujarat’s chief minister after party declared his name.
“Prime Minister belongs to a nation and not to a particular state,” said Mr. Thackeray in a press conference held in Nashik.
“In my opinion, he should have resigned from the CM’s post on a day when his name was announced as a prime ministerial candidate,” he further added.
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He asked the Gujarat chief minister to think about every state and not only about a particular one.
Mr. Thackeray has shared cordial relationship with Mr. Modi and was even invited to Gujarat to study state’s model of development. There have been speculations as to whether MNS will join hands with BJP in the upcoming elections.
The MNS chief advised Mr. Modi to think over his suggestion. “He talked about Gujarati community and Sardar Patel’s statue in Mumbai’s rally. Why didn’t he say anything about Shivaji Maharaj?” Mr. Thackeray questioned.
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“As far as crowd getting attracted to rallies is concerned, even my rallies are equally attended,” he taunted, when asked whether Mr. Modi’s rallies are drawing attention of large number of public. He added that the decision of whether to join hands with BJP or not will be declared at right time.
BJP reacts
Mr. Thackeray’s stand has invited sharp reaction from BJP.
“Raj himself had gone on a tour to Gujarat and had praised Modi for state’s development. He is capable to handle his state and campaign all over the country, hence he doesn’t require such advices from anyone,” said Devendra Fadanavis, president, Maharashtra BJP.