Uddhav awaits BJP’s nod, open to Modi for PM

MUMBAI: The Shiv Sena, oldest electoral ally of the BJP, wants the country’s principal opposition party to decide if wants to project a prime ministerial candidate in the 2014 general election but indications are it is open to supporting Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, unlike another ally, the Janata Dal (United), whose leading light is Bihar CM Nitish Kumar.

“The BJP should first decide its strategy — whether it wants to declare a PM candidate or not. If they choose a name, we will reveal our stand,” the Shiv Sena president, Uddhav Thackeray, told the HT on Thursday.

Without spelling out his preference, Thackeray indicated that he was not opposed to Modi. “There is no reason why we should support or oppose any particular candidate. If BJP wants to declare an NDA candidate for prime minister and discusses it with us, we can give our opinion. After all, our aim should be to win the Lok Sabha elections,” Thackeray said.

Sources close to Thackeray said he was open to Modi’s candidature but the Sena top brass feels the Gujarat chief minister should seek his support.

“Following the Gujarat riots of 2002, Modi was under fire and then PM Vajpayee was thinking of removing him as CM. It was Sena chief Bal Thackeray who had strongly supported Modi,” pointed out a Sena insider. “If Modi can go to meet the TMC chief, why not Uddhavji,’’ he asked.

CONTINUED ON P13 HIS TIME STARTS NOW, P12