The Shiv Sena seems to have made an about turn on its choice for the Prime Minister’s post of the National Democratic Alliance after earlier publicly declaring that BJP leader Sushma Swaraj is the best suited for the top post. Sena president Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday did a U-turn by saying that it was open to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi becoming the PM.
On Thursday while asked about his father, the late Sena chief Bal Thackeray, who last year had put forth Sushma’s name as the prime ministerial candidate, Uddhav replied, “Yes it is right, but things then were quite different from now. Modi was contesting the Gujarat elections then.”
Uddhav also said that the BJP should declare its PM candidate as early as possible. The Sena had suggested Sushma’s name last year when the BJP leader visited the ailing Bal Thackeray at his residence Matoshree in Bandra.
A senior Sena leader, however, said that the party had not reversed its stand. “There is no denying that we felt that Sushma was the best choice for the PM’s post, however, our party president Uddhavji also said that we are not going to be adamant on it and would be ready to discuss other names,” said the leader.