Sena stumps NDA, backs Sushma Swaraj as PM

Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray set the cat among the pigeons as he pitched for BJP leader Sushma Swaraj as a "great choice" for the prime minister's post. HT reports. The race within | Congress mocks BJP

Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray set the cat among the pigeons as he pitched for BJP leader Sushma Swaraj as a "great choice" for the prime minister's post.

"There is only one person who is intelligent and brilliant - Sushma Swaraj..." Thackeray told Sena mouthpiece Saamana on Sunday when asked about possible BJP candidate for the top post.

The BJP was cautious in its reaction but its NDA partner Janata Dal (United) said the prime ministerial candidate would be decided by all the alliance partners, not just the Sena.

This is the first time that an NDA constituent has openly come out in support of a candidate.

A few weeks ago, another ally, the JD (U) had done the opposite.

Senior leader and Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar virtually vetoed his Gujarat counterpart Narendra Modi's candidature, indicating "anybody but him".

File photo of BJP leader Sushma Swaraj with Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray. PTI