Maharashtra polls: Shiv Sena did not respond to my overtures, says MNS chief Raj Thackeray

MUMBAI: MNS president Raj Thackeray today claimed he was willing to have a tie-up with Shiv Sena for October 15 Maharashtra assembly elections after the latter's alliance with BJP ended, but there was no response.

"After the Sena-BJP alliance ended on September 25, the same night I talked to Sena president Uddhav Thackeray (Raj's estranged cousin) on phone," Raj told a news channel.

"It was agreed that leaders of the two parties (MNS and Shiv Sena) will take the discussion forward, but despite repeated attempts from our side, there was no response," he said.

Asked what would be his party's stand on post-poll alliance, Raj avoided a reply but said, "My target in this election is not Shiv Sena but Congress, NCP and BJP."

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena said that party president Uddhav Thackeray will respond to Raj's statement in due course.

"Uddhav will give whatever reaction that is to be given," Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut said. "Raj Thackeray's stand in the interest of Maharashtra is welcome....We will see (what happens) after the elections," Raut added.