Raj Thackeray trashes talk of tie-up with Sena

“Someone offered his hand for a clap,but I raised my hand to do a tata (good-bye),” Raj said.

Raj,who peppered his speech with one-line humour,indicated that MNS had the potential to take on political rivals in the state on its own.

No Sena leader reacted immediately to Raj’s refusal and the BJP,too,did not make any official comment.

A senior BJP leader,however,said it was too early to rule out an alliance. “Elections are a year away. If an alliance takes place it will be known just a couple of months before polls,” said the BJP leader.

Another BJP leader said,“If the situation so warrants,there is a likelihood of senior party leaders intervening to mollify Raj and asking him to work with Sena and BJP for a more effective anti-Congress-NCP battle.”

The leader said,“We can deploy services of Gujarat CM Narendra Modi to persuade Raj to work with Sena and BJP.”

An MNS leader ruled out Raj changing his stand. The leader said,“If Raj has made a statement,it is final. I don’t think his statement should be perceived as a bargaining tactic. He is blunt and speaks from the heart.”