Raj Thackeray should clarify ideology to join `anti-BJP front': Cong leader

Senior Congress leader and former president of the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee Manikrao Thakre asked Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) to clarify its ideology and stand on various issues before it makes any move to join an "anti-BJP" front.

Last Sunday, MNS chief Raj Thackeray called for a "Modi-mukt Bharat" by 2019, setting off speculation about his political moves ahead of the next general elections and possibility of joining the Congress-led opposition bloc.

The regional outfit, whose foundation is rooted in the `sons-of-the-soil' agenda, has said a party's stand needs to change as per the prevailing political situation.

Manikrao Thakre said ever since Raj Thackeray formed his own party 12 years ago after leaving the Shiv Sena, there has been no consistency in his political stand.

"He will have to clarify whether he espouses a national perspective or wants to stick to the regional agenda and anti-migrant stance.

"Even though he is critical of the BJP and the Shiv Sena, his ideology is no different from the two saffron partners," said Thakre, who is now Deputy Chairman of the Legislative Council.

Any move to get a place in the "Congress-led anti-BJP front" can materialise only if he clarifies his ideology, he said.

On speculation about NCP chief Sharad Pawar and Raj Thackeray coming closer, Thakre avoided a direct reply and said only the Maratha strongman can speak on this issue.

MNS spokesman Vageesh Saraswat said there can be no consistency in a political party's stand.

"It (a party) needs to change and adapt to changes as per the prevailing political situation. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar are the recent examples," he said.

Naidu recently walked out of the NDA, while Kumar joined the BJP-led coalition last year after quitting the RJD- Congress alliance in Bihar.

A source in the MNS said Raj Thackeray will be comfortable being part of a "non-BJP and non-Congress front" of regional parties led by Pawar.

"To counter Modi, there is no other acceptable face than Pawar. If there is anyone else, that name can be discussed," the source said.

In 2014, Raj Thackeray supported Modi's candidature for the PM's post. He even stayed in Gujarat for 10 days as Modi's guest. Now, he wants Pawar to lead an "anti-Modi front", he said.

The  Congress will not join any third front as it is a national party and would instead want all the non-BJP parties to accept Rahul Gandhi's leadership, the MNS source said.

"It is not yet known if all the non-BJP parties will accept Rahul Gandhi's leadership," he said.

Meanwhile, NCP spokesman Nawab Malik said not much should be read into Raj Thackeray's recent meeting with Pawar. "It was a personal meeting," he said.