Shah accepts Thackeray's invitation; will meet the leader tonight

Setting aside speculation of rift in the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance, BJP national president Amit Shah will meet Sena president Uddhav Thackeray at his residence here tonight.

"Uddhav had yesterday invited Shah at his residence 'Matoshree'," Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Legislative Council Vinod Tawde, told reporters here today.

"The invitation has been accepted by Shah and he will pay a courtesy visit to Thackeray at 9.30 p.m. today," he said.

There have been speculation about the Sena-BJP relations in view of Shah's visit to Mumbai, he said.

"But we were in constant coordination with Sena leaders on this matter," Tawde said.

Shah will also pay homage to Sena supremo late Bal Thackeray at his 'samadhi' in Shivaji Park after the BJP meeting at Shanmukhanand hall later in the evening, he added.