Raj Thackeray's Modi pitch delays Third Front formation in Maharashtra

MUMBAI: With Maharashtra Navnirman Sena president Raj Thackeray throwing his weight behind BJP's PM nominee Narendra Modi, the plan to prop up the Third Front, mainly comprising fringe players in state politics, is delayed for now.

The Left Democratic Front comprising PWP, CPM, CPI, Satyashodhak Communist Party, JD(S), RPI (Khobragade), RPI (Secular) were exploring the option of a third alternative to Congress-NCP and Sena-BJP and were trying to get MNS on board.

Speculations were rife earlier if Raj has begun preparations to form a Third Front in the wake of Shiv Sena thwarting its entry into NDA following overtures by former BJP chief Nitin Gadkari.

"Leaders of the Peasants and Workers Party (PWP) and Jansurajya Shakti Party (JSP) Jayant Patil and Vinay Kore, and independent MLC Apurva Hiray had preliminary talks with Raj Thackeray in this regard," PWP leader S V Deshmukh told reporters here today.

"Even though our ideologies are different, we found the common ground in two of MNS' issues like all-round development of the state and protecting the interests of Marathi-speaking people. These were the issues of Sanyukta (united) Maharashtra movement of which we were a part," Deshmukh said.

However, with Raj pledging support to Modi and Communist parties not yet receiving nod from their Central leadership for stitching up an alliance with MNS, the formation of proposed Front is delayed.

"Jayant Patil will again hold talks with Raj and other leaders for clarity on this," he said.

Deshmukh said PWP will contest Raigad, Maval and Kolhapur Lok Sabha seats and is also considering Latur and Osmanabad seats.