Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut, on Thursday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the top leader of the country and that the BJP owes its success to the PM. The unexpected words of praise from BJP’s former ally come just days after Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray held a one-on-one meeting with the PM. Thackeray’s meeting with the PM triggered speculations within Maharashtra’s political circles.

“I don’t want to comment on this…I don’t go by the media reports. There is no official statement about this… The BJP owes its success to Narendra Modi in the last seven years and currently, he is the top leader of the country and his party,” Raut said, news agency PTI quoted.

Raut further said that the prime minister of the country belongs to the entire nation and not to a particular party. “Hence the PM shouldn’t get involved in election campaigning as it puts pressure on the official machinery,” Raut further said. 

Tiger decides who he wants to be friends with: Raut on Sena-BJP re-union

Responding to a question on whether BJP and Shiv Sena could come together with its former ally BJP, Raut said, “No one can make friendship with a tiger (Shiv Sena’s election symbol). It is the tiger that decides whom he wants to be friends with.” 

Raut is currently on a tour of north Maharashtra, where he is working towards strengthening the party base. “All Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) allies have a right to expand their base and strengthen the parties. It is also the need of the hour. We are also holding meetings on strengthening our coordination among each other,” he said.