Surprisingly, the MNS continues to swear by Modi, though it is yet to join the six-party saffron Grand Alliance in Maharashtra - the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance - has vowed to adhere to secularism and will not use Ayodhya as a political plank.
Despite these seeming paradoxes, the BJP secretly banks on MNS support "just in case" - although BJP chief Rajnath Singh pompously dismissed "unsolicited support" from any quarters, including the MNS.
"The MNS is convinced that Modi is the man India needs for rapid progress and all-round development. Whether we join any of the BJP-led alliances or not, our support is only for Modi," explained MNS vice president Vagheesh Saraswat.
However, the party has not closed the doors on other viable options, especially the Congress-Nationalist Congress Party alliance, which some say has propped up the MNS to batter the Shiv Sena.
