Modi’s Juggernaut Gathers More Steam as Firebrand Raj Thackeray Throws Weight Behind NDA

In a potent shot in the arm for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s re-election bid, the influential Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has offered his party’s unconditional support to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Addressing a massive Gudi Padwa rally in Mumbai, the fiery leader lauded Modi’s resolution in striking down Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and spearheading the call for a National Register of Citizens (NRC).

Thackeray’s candid praise for Modi’s full majority mandate in 2019 and his stated desire to continue backing the Prime Minister’s vision is bound to send shockwaves through Opposition ranks. “After 30 years, one person got elected with a full majority. I was the first one, even before the BJP, who said that Narendra Modi should become the Prime Minister of India,” thundered Thackeray.

The MNS supremo’s overtures come close on the heels of his meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the national capital last month, sparking fevered speculation of an impending political realignment in Maharashtra. With the Shiv Sena factions led by Eknath Shinde and Uddhav Thackeray representing a divided house, Raj Thackeray’s admiration for Balasaheb Thackeray’s legacy hints at his ambitions of emerging as a unifying Thackeray force in the state’s fractious politics.

However, scotching rumors of being anointed as the new Shiv Sena chief, Raj minced no words: “I will not work under anyone except Balasaheb. I will remain the MNS chief.” His belligerent assertions have added to the growing tailwinds favoring Modi’s encore as Thackeray rallies Maharashtrian muscle behind the Prime Minister’s juggernaut.