Decision on withdrawing from Centre after talking to PM: Uddhav Thackeray

Mumbai: Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday said the decision to withdraw from the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government will be taken after discussion with Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he returns from his US trip.

"Joining NDA and then pulling out is not that easy. All MPs who have been elected and those who could not win have bagged votes of both Shiv Sena and BJP. It is the people's mandate. A decision will be taken after discussions with Prime Minister Modi and considering what our supporters feel," Uddhav told reporters after RPI(A) leader Arjun Dangle visited him to offer support in the next month's Assembly elections.

Yesterday, Uddhav had announced that his party's minister in the Modi government, Anant Geete, will quit the ministry, four days after the BJP snapped ties with the alliance partner of 25 years.

The Sena will leave NDA and Geete will submit resignation after the Prime Minister returns from the US, he had said.

Uddhav's announcement came after estranged cousin and MNS chief Raj Thackeray criticised the Sena at a poll rally on Sunday for "sticking to" the Union ministerial berth despite end of the alliance with BJP.