"Uddhav Thackeray used to call himself Hindutvawadi but now...": BJP's Devendra Fadnavis

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis alleged that Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray used to call himself "Hindutvawadi" adding that now "Tipu Sultan Zindabad" and "Allahu Akbar" slogans are being raised in his rallies.

"The kind of appeasement he is doing, is astonishing. Uddhav Thackeray used to call himself 'Hindutvawadi', it is very surprising to see the kind of appeasement he is doing...during the INDI alliance's first rally, all the leaders told Uddhav Thackeray to leave the word 'Hindu' and he left it...now in his rally, 'Allahu Akbar' and 'Tipu Sultan zindabad' slogans are being raised," Fadnavis told ANI on Friday.

The Deputy CM also claimed that there is ample public support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP-led NDA while expressing satisfaction with the response in Maharashtra after the four phases of the Lok Sabha elections.

"I am a loyal soldier of my party. When it comes to Maharashtra, we are very satisfied and happy after the 4 phases of the election. We feel that people have given ample amount of support to PM Modi and our alliance. Shiv-Sena has come with us, NCP has come with us," he said.

Earlier in the day, NCP state president (Ajit Pawar faction) Sunil Tatkare expressed confidence that the NDA would triumph in the Lok Sabha polls.