Raj Thackeray meets Maharashtra CM to stop MNS leaders from joining BJP

In a hush-hush meeting, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis met Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) supremo Raj Thackeray early Tuesday morning. Sources said top MNS leaders will be joining the BJP later on Tuesday.

While the meeting was officially explained as the two leaders deliberating on matters related to school education, it is learnt that Raj Thackeray expressed his concerns over the probable exit of his party leaders to join the ruling party in Maharashtra. Thackeray is reported to have requested Fadnavis to keep their joining on hold.

Three MNS leaders, including former MLAs and Raj Thackeray’s close associates – Praveen Darekar, Vasant Geete and Ramesh Patil – are likely to join the BJP on Tuesday afternoon. Former MNS leader, now a BJP MLA, Ram Kadam had joined the BJP just before the elections.