Mumbai: In an exclusive interview, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray tells NDTV that NCP chief Sharad Pawar was interested in joining the NDA this year but his party blocked his entry.
Mr Thackeray also spoke about his strained ties with senior BJP leader Nitin Gadkari after the latter's big meeting with his estranged cousin and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, and whether his party can ever do business with the MNS.
Here are some highlights of what he said:
- We blocked Sharad Pawar's entry into NDA
- Pawar keeps a door open in every election to change sides
- Pawar was open to discussing both pre-poll and post poll-alliance with the NDA
- Not just me, BJP leaders also opposed Pawar's alliance with NDA
- Pawar was my father's friend, he is not my friend
- When Raj Thackeray left Shiv Sena because of me, why would he come back if I call?
- I see no chance of any re-conciliation between me and Raj
- I did try and reach out to Raj in the past, his response hurt me
- Raj has no option but to support Narendra Modi. Where else can he go?
- Don't believe Nitin Gadkari had BJP's sanction for meeting Raj
- Gadkari is not the party that he can take his own decisions on meeting Raj
- Gadkari had no business meeting Raj without discussing it with us first