Raj Thackeray was not eyeing Gujarati votes on his visit: Bala Nandgaonkar

MNS chief Raj Thackeray's recent visit to Gujarat was not aimed at garnering votes for the upcoming BMC elections, but at taking a leaf out of the development works in the neighbouring state, party leader Bala Nandagaonkar said here today.

"Its not like that (not to garner Gujarati votes). The visit to Gujarat last month was planned. There were some problems in co-ordination between Narendra Modi and the MNS chief due to which it (tour) was pending since so many days. The tour was not fixed in the view of the BMC elections. After the BMC elections are over, we will again tour Gujarat," Nandgaonkar told PTI.

Praising Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi for developmental works in his state Nandgaonkar said, "Maharashtra and Gujarat were formed on the same day. But they have gone ahead and we are going backwards. How they made progress, the MNS chief went to see. Modi has done good work."

Nandgaonkar, who is also the MNS group leader in the State Legislative Assembly took a dig at the ruling Shiv Sena-BJP alliance in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

"People in Mumbai brought the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance to power in the BMC. But after 20 years with what face they will go to the people to bring them back in power," he asked.

On the expenditure incurred on filling potholes, which has received criticism from several quarters especially from the public Ganesh Mandals Nandgaonkar said, "crores of rupees are spent on machines, however they are not used to fill the potholes."

"Realising all this the Shiv Shakti-Bhim Shakti alliance (Shiv Sena-BJP-Republican Party of India) has been formed. People understand all this. And I believe that they will support Raj Thackeray. In last 20 years, what has the Sena-BJP alliance given to the people of Mumbai?," he asked.

The MNS leader also said that his party's preparations will begin after the Ganesh festival gets over.

"After the Ganesh festival gets over we will start our preparations for the BMC elections. No matter how much they prepare, our leader (Raj Thackeray) takes decision at a right time," he asserted.

On the security cover offered by the Maharashtra government to anti-graft activist Anna Hazare he said security does not suit Anna's nature. Therefore he never asked the government to provide security to him. But looking at his importance now the government and Home Minister R R Patil realised it.

"He (Anna) has committed himself for the society. However I personally feel that he should take the security provided by the government. But I don't think that he will take it", he said.