PM leaves window ajar for 'nakli' parties

Possibly looking at the post-poll scenario, PM Modi on Friday signaled that rather than gravitating towards the Congress, as Sharad Pawar had predicted in an interview, smaller parties should "come to Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde."

"A big leader, who is active for 40 to 50 years, is worried about the scenario that will unravel after the results are out in Baramati (Lok Sabha seat). He says that after June 4, smaller parties, in order to survive, will merge with the Congress," Modi said, without naming Pawar.

"This means the 'nakli NCP' and 'nakli Shiv Sena' have made up their minds to merge with the Congress," Modi said, addressing an election rally in Nandurbar district of north Maharashtra.

"But instead of dying by merging with the Congress, come to Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde.