As Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray is likely to unveil the party’s political roadmap at a mega rally in Shivaji Park on Tuesday, which is also the Maharashtrian New Year ‘Gudi Padwa’, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the BJP expects his support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Mammoth preparations are underway by the MNS to turn the Shivaji Park rally into a major show of strength. All local leaders have been tasked with ensuring that people who throng the venue are not inconvenienced. Speaking to reporters in Nagpur on Monday, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, “In 2014, Raj Thackeray was among the first leaders who pledged unconditional support to BJP leader Narendra Modi for the post of prime minister. We expect Raj Thackeray will support PM Modi’s leadership in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls too.” He added that over the years "MNS has turned to Hindutva, sharing the BJP’s ideology.” The BJP, which had entered into talks with the outfit ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, will be closely monitoring Tuesday’s rally. According to an MNS office-bearer, "Nobody can predict what line Raj Thackeray will take at the Shivaji Park rally. What we are sure is that he will speak from his heart. He will address the concerns and questions which have been agitating the common people, the Marathi manoos, every Mumbaikar and those living in Maharashtra.” While stating that the party had distanced itself from the BJP in the past, Fadnavis said, "The BJP and MNS now share cordial relations. We look forward to MNS support for Modi." Last month, Raj Thackeray met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi amid talks of a possible alliance. Later, both parties termed the meeting “positive”. Despite high-level discussions both at the Centre and in the state, a formal announcement was put on hold. BJP insiders, meanwhile, revealed that there were issues related to seats. The MNS was expecting two Lok Sabha seats – Mumbai South and Nashik or Shirdi. However, the Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was unwilling to give up Shirdi and has fielded sitting MP Sadashiv Lokhande. In Mumbai South, the BJP and Shinde Sena are caught in an intense power tussle.
