Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray. (TOI File Photo)

MUMBAI: MNS chief Raj Thackeray met NCP president Sharad Pawar in Mumbai on Friday triggering speculation of new political equations in the state. The meeting, held at Pawar’s Nepean Sea Road residence, lasted 40 minutes, it is learnt.

There were reports that Raj requested Pawar to attend the MNS’ Gudi Padwa jamboree at Shivaji Park on Sunday where the MNS president is scheduled to address his followers.

For all practical purposes, Raj will flag off his party’s election campaign at the rally, it is said. Raj is believed to have told his party colleagues to tell mediapersons his meeting with Pawar was merely a courtesy call.

NCP sources said Pawar could be thinking of having the MNS on board the Congress-NCP alliance in Maharashtra in a bid to woo Marathi voters. The idea is to make it tough for BJP to bond with the ‘sons of the soil,’ said analysts.

