Sena, BJP, RPI combine to meet on need for new entrant to fold

With political temperatures soaring post Maharashtra BJP president Devendra Fadnavis' meeting with MNS chief Raj Thackeray, the member parties of the "maha-yuti" (grand alliance), Shiv Sena, BJP and RPI, will hold a meeting on whether to take any new entrant on the board.
"The decision on whether to induct new partner in 'Maha-yuti' will be taken by the leaders of Shiv Sena, BJP and RPI in a joint co-ordination meeting", the Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Legislative Council Vinod Tawde told reporters today.
Fadnavis yesterday visited Raj Thackeray at his residence 'Krishnakunj' in Dadar, triggering speculations whether BJP is cozying up to the estranged Thackeray cousin.

Sources said that the meeting will be held after Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray who is abroad returns to Mumbai on June 15.
Though Fadnavis described his meeting with MNS chief as "apolitical" one, the development was viewed as BJP's shrewd tactic.
Raj Thackeray sprung a surprise in 2010 when he visited state BJP's office in south Mumbai on the invitation of Tawde and then state unit president Sudhir Mungantiwar.
Senior BJP leader Gopinath Munde has often demanded that MNS join the grand alliance to enable it to put a united fight against the Congress-NCP government in Assembly elections next year.

RPI leader Ramdas Athavle had also extended an invite to MNS before retracting.