Kalmadi will join BJP

Even at a meeting with Kalmadi during his visit to Pune on Monday, Munde put forth his suggestion that the former join the party.

Munde while talking to media persons in Mumbai today said the BJP was "still thinking about supporting the candidature of Kalmadi from the Pune Lok Sabha constituency," but hastened to add that the final decision on the issue would be taken by the party’s central parliamentary board.

Asked to comment on Bal Thackeray’s ‘threat’ that the Shiv Sena would put up its candidate from Pune if BJP failed to field any candidate, Munde said, "We will meet the Sena chief and sort out the differences."

"The Sena supremo has just spoken about his feelings on the issue and he is free to do so," Munde said.

"Kalmadi had consulted us before leaving Congress," he said. "However, we did not give him any assurance regarding the Lok Sabha seat," he added.

Meanwhile, BJP leaders here described the statement by Bal Thackeray as a "pressure tactic" to fetch the Kopargaon seat which, under the seat sharing agreement, has gone to the BJP, party sources revealed.