Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut stated on Sunday that an alliance between his party chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) head Raj Thackeray is essential, claiming it would "give a new direction to the state," reported news agency PTI.

In his weekly column, Rok Thok, in the Sena (UBT) mouthpiece Saamana, Raut also alleged that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has no genuine concern for the fight for Maharashtra’s unity and Marathi asmita (pride).

"The BJP’s policy is to first loot Mumbai, then make Mumbai a union territory and play a game for a separate Vidarbha and finish the existence of Maharashtra," he claimed.