Mumbai, April 5: Days after announcing not to field any candidate for the Upcoming Lok Sabha Elections 2019, shocking revelations are coming from Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray. Reports confirm that the Congress-NCP alliance in Maharashtra has roped in Raj Thackeray as their star campaigner, exclusively for Mumbai and several other parts of the state.

According to the reports, published in Mumbai Mirror and several other dailies, The MNS chief has been roped in by the Congress-NCP alliance to campaign for Congress candidates Milind Deora (South Mumbai), Priya Dutt (North-Central Mumbai), Urmila Matondkar (North Mumbai) and Sanjay Dina Patil (North-East Mumbai). Maharashtra Lok Sabha Elections 2019 Dates: Constituency-Wise Complete Schedule Of Voting And Results For General Elections.

Along with these leaders, Thackeray is scheduled to address rallies outside Mumbai for NCP leader Ajit Pawar's son Parth (Mavel), NCP chief Sharad Pawar's daughter Supriya Sule (Baramati) and NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal's nephew Sameer (Nashik). The MNS chief would even address rallies for Congress candidates Ashok Chavan (Nanded) and Sushil Kumar Shinde (Solapur).

Considering his differences with former Maharashtra PCC chief Sanjay Nirupam, Thackeray has kept himself away from the leader's rally.

Earlier on Saturday, actress-turned-politician Urmila Matondkar had reached out to Thackeray, seeking his support, after her candidature was announced form North Mumbai seat. Matondkar and MNS chief had both attended the Ruparel college and considered as good friends.

Later in the day of Matondkar seeking support, Thackeray's sister-in-law had declared her support for Matondkar and MNS chief had himself vowed to depute a team of his party leaders to help the Congress candidate. Lok Sabha Elections 2019 Schedule: Voting In 7 Phases From April 11 to May 19, Counting And Results On May 23; Check All Dates For General Elections.

Considering the fact MNS's presence in the state assembly and municipal corporations are near zero, aligning with Thackeray and making him the star campaigner for Congress-NCP alliance in the state is a move to address the gap of prominent Marathi face.

Though on the MNS perspective, Thackeray supporting the Congress-NCP candidates and organising the political rallies for them, is being looked with speculative eyes. Political pundits believe that Thackeray with this association, the MNS chief is trying to gain the lost ground in Maharashtra and preparing for the upcoming the state Assembly elections - scheduled later this year.

The Lok Sabha Elections 2019 for 48 seats in Maharashtra would take place in first four phases (April 11, 18, 23 and 29) and the results would be announced on May 23.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 05, 2019 04:22 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).