Peace move? Modi meets Uddhav in Mumbai

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi met Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday at the latter's residence in Mumbai, first time after his elevation as the chief of Bharatiya Janata Party's election campaign committee.

The meeting took place against the backdrop of Shiv Sena in its mouthpiece 'Saamana' slamming the BJP strongman for his "parochial" rescue efforts for Gujaratis from the flood-ravaged Uttarakhand.

Modi, accompanied by state unit BJP president Devendra Fadnavis, the Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Vinod Tawde and Mumbai BJP president Ashish Shelar, met Uddhav at his residence 'Matoshree' in suburban Bandra.

However what transpired in the brief meeting, lasted for 20 minutes, is not known.

In an article in 'Saamana', Sena had termed Modi's rescue efforts for Gujaratis as "detrimental" to his interests when the BJP strongman is being cheered as likely prime ministerial candidate.

Sena's open rebuke of the reported "Rambo" act of Modi created a flutter in the political circles triggering speculation that all is not well in the BJP-led NDA dispensation which is shrunken to three parties, including Shiromani Akali Dal, after Janata Dal-United’s exit.

However, Uddhav did a sort of balancing act later clarifying that the criticism was not directed against Modi.

Image: Narendra Modi meets Uddhav Thackeray and Aditya in Mumbai on Thursday

Photograph: Sahil Salve