The over two-decade old BJP-Shiv Sena alliance is intact and the two parties will contest the Lok Sabha polls together, BJP President Rajnath Singh said in Mumbai on Tuesday.

The BJP chief met Sena supreme Bal Thackeray at the latter's suburban Bandra residence and enquired about his health.

"Balasaheb has wished all the best for NDA's success (in the polls)," Singh told reporters at Matoshree, Thackeray's family home.

The alliance between the saffron parties has been under strain after BJP leader Pramod Mahajan, the "glue" behind the tie-up, passed away in 2006.

The two parties virtually parted ways during the Chimur assembly bypoll in Vidarbha in 2006 with each claiming right over the seat.

Last year, Sena chief Bal Thackeray's decision to support UPA nominee Pratibha Patil [Images] in the Presidential poll had irked BJP leadership as the party had put up Bhairon Singh Shekhawat in the fray.

However, Thackeray justified the Sena decision to back Patil, who hails from Maharashtra, saying he was doing so for "Marathi pride".

Singh said no talks on seat-sharing featured during his meeting with the Sena chief today. "They will be held next month", he added. 

Image: Rajnath Singh with Bal Thackeray at the latter's residence in Mumbai on Tuesday. 

Text: PTI; Photograph: Arun Patil