Thackeray asks BJP to 'let some people' remain in opposition parties

Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray on Friday opined that the BJP should not include all opposition leaders in the party. He said, "You (BJP) should not take all of them in your party; let some people be there as well. They need some people to comment on the elections. I am not commenting, as I fear that Shiv Sena or BJP may have to take a person on whom I have commented."

His remarks come a day after Congress leader Tom Vaddakan joined the BJP, saying he had quit the grand old party because it was now resorting to "use and throw" approach. Former Congress MP from Haryana Arvind Sharma too joined the BJP on Friday. Trinamool Congress' Anupam Hazra also joined BJP on Tuesday in the presence of BJP leaders KailashVijayvargiya and Mukul Roy.

Maharashtra will vote for Lok Sabha elections in three phases. The polling dates are April 10, 17 and 24, said the Election Commission of India on March 11.

(With inputs from agencies.)